Synthesis and structure of a molybdenum-cobalt bimetallic carbide cluster [N(PPh3)2][Mo3Co3(μ6-C)(μ-CO)3(CO)15] bearing only carbonyl ligands

The reaction of a trinuclear cobalt cluster [ClCCo3(CO)(9)] with [Mo(CO)(3) (CH3CN)(3)] gave a molybdenum-cobalt bimetallic cluster complex [Mo3Co3 (mu (6)-C)(mu -CO)(3)(CO)(15)](-). The cluster anion has a carbide-centered Mo3Co3 octahedral metal core, where the three molybdenum and three cobalt atoms are placed in facial positions. The six metal atoms are coordinated by only carbonyl ligands. The cluster is suitable for a model of heterogeneous desulfurization catalysts.