Synthesis and crystal structure of the novel trimanganese tetrathiolate incomplete cubane: [Mo(η5-C5H5)2(H)CO][Mn3(CO)9(μ-SC6H5)4]

An unexpected trimanganese(I) tetrathiolate-bridged complex, [Mn3(CO)9(μ-SC6H5)4]−, with an incomplete cubane structure, was obtained by thermal reaction of [Mn2(CO)10] with [Mo(η5-C5H5)2(SC6H5)2]. The structure, established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, shows the cation, [Mo(η5-C5H5)2(H)CO]+, directed towards the vacant site of the cubane structure. Possible routes by which the anion and the cation could be formed are discussed.