A hexanuclear cerium(IV) cluster with mixed coordination environment

Synthesis and structure of a modified intermediate derived from ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate for oxidative reactions as a hexanuclear cerium(IV) complex that has cerium ions in two different coordination environment is reported. The complex having ability to oxidise three moles of catechol to corresponding quinone has a composition NH4[Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(5)(mu(3)-OH)(3)(mu(2)-C6H5COO)(9)(NO3)(3)(DMF)(3)]center dot DMF center dot H2O is prepared under room temperature and is characterised by X-ray crystallography. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.