Synthesis and Reactivity of an Early-Transition-Metal Alkynyl Cubane Mn4C4 Cluster

While the coordination chemistry of monometallic complexes and the surface properties of extended metal particles are well understood, the control of metal nanocluster formation has remained challenging. The isolation of discrete metal clusters provides an especially rare snapshot at the nanoscale of cluster growth. The synthesis and full characterization of the first early-transition-metal alkynyl cubane and the first mu(3)-alkynyl Mn-3 motif are reported.