Synthesis, characterization, molecular and crystal structure of osmium–rhodium mixed-metal carbide cluster, [Os5Rh(μ5-C)(μ3-CO)(CO)13Cp∗]

The hexanuclear osmium–rhodium carbonyl carbide cluster [Os5Rh(μ5-C)(μ3-CO)(CO)13Cp∗] 3 has been synthesized in 66% yield by the ionic coupling reaction of [N(PPh3)2]2[Os5C(CO)14] 1 with [Rh2(Cp∗)2][BF4]2 2. An X-ray analysis on 3 showed a square based pyramidal metal skeleton with a μ3-CO bridging a RhOs2 triangular face.