abstract |
Broadly stated, the present invention encompasses tetranuclear sulfide-bridged complexes of Cr(III) having bridging organo-carboxylate ligands. Indeed, in one embodiment, the present invention is directed toward a novel composition of matter having a complex cation of the general formula Cr 4 S(RCO 2 ) 8 (L) 4 2+ , wherein R represents alkyl groups having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, L represents a ligand or ligands containing a donor atom selected from oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur. In the complex of the present invention, the four Cr(III) atoms are bound to a central tetrahedral sulfur atom. The chromium atoms also are octahedrally coordinated with bridging carboxylates and the ligand molecule. Also, the bridging carboxylates, RCO 2 of the above formula, are the same or different carboxylates. |