29Si cross polarisation magic angle spinning spectroscopic studies on MCM-41 supported with metal carbonyl clusters

An insight into the nature of the interaction between mesoporous solids and carbonyl clusters has been obtained from new solid-state NMR spectroscopic data. A series of simple clusters have been synthesised and deposited on the mesoporous material MCM-41. Results form 29Si{1H} solid-state NMR on both the pure and deposited species and 59Co NMR give rise to information about the nature of the cluster and its binding in the channels of the mesoporous material. Analysis of 29Si{1H} variable contact time experiments shows a significant increase in the rate of cross polarisation, particularly for the Q^4 sites, once MCM-41 is deposited with a carbonyl cluster. 59Co NMR shows that the Co(CO)4^- cluster retains its original geometry when deposited in MCM-41.