TRIGONAL PYRAMIDAL OXYANIONS AS STRUCTURE-DIRECTING TEMPLATES FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF SILVER DITHIOLATE CLUSTERS

Trigonal pyramidal oxyanions, EO32- (E = S, Se, Te), were utilized as a template in the formation of Ag-16 clusters, which dimerize via intermolecular Ag-S bonds to form a Ag-32 cluster stabilized by 1,1-dithiolate ligands. Structural elucidations on [Ag-16(EO3){S2P(OEt)(2)}(12)](2+) in comparison with tetrahedral oxyanion-centered Ag-16 clusters previously characterized from this group clearly suggest that the lone-pair electrons on chalcogen center has a structure-directing effect.