Fixation of atmospheric CO2 by a dimeric lanthanum hydroxide complex;: assembly of an unusual hexameric carbonate

Exposure of the dinuclear hydroxo complex {[La(tpen)(mu-OH)](2)(mu-eta(1):eta(OTf)-O-1)}OTf3 to air results in the immediate uptake of atmospheric CO, affording an unusual hexanuclear lanthanum carbonato complex in which the carbonate anions are ligated in a mu(-eta 1)(3):eta(1):eta(2) and mu(3)-eta(1):eta(2):eta(2) fashion.