Synthesis and characterisation of heterometallic deca- and dodecanuclear metal wheels

he synthesis and crystallographic characterisation of two new cyclic molecules are reported. The molecules have the general formula [M (OMe)2(O2CMe)]n where n=10 or 12, and M is a mixture of Mn and Cr. For the decanuclear complex elemental analysis indicates, on average, presence of equal quantities of Mn and Cr. Chromatography combined with electrospray mass spectrometry suggests complexes containing differing ratios of the metal ions can be separated.