Crystal structure and catalytic properties of a platinum–iridium mixed cluster, [Pt2Ir2(µ-CO)3(CO)4(PPh3)3]

Abstract

The compound [Pt₂Ir₂(CO)₇(PPh₃)₃] has been synthesised from [Pt₁₂(CO)₂₄]^2– and [Ir(CO)Cl(PPh₃)₂]. A single-crystal X-ray structure determination (space group P, Z= 2, R= 0.050 for 5 402 reflections) has shown that the metal atoms adopt a ‘butterfly’ configuration with the iridium and platinum atoms occupying ‘hinge’ and ‘wing-tip’ positions respectively. The mixed-metal cluster is an active catalyst for hydrogenation of olefins.