Cluster transformation of [Cu3(μ3-H)(μ3-BH4)((PPh2)2NH)3](BF4) to [Cu3(μ3-H)(μ2,μ1-S2CH)((PPh2)2NH)3](BF4): Via reaction with CS2. X-ray structural characterisation and reactivity of cationic clusters explored by multistage mass spectrometry and computational studies

Abstract

The copper nanocluster [Cu3(μ3-H)(μ3-BH4)LPh3](BF4), 1a·BF4 (LPh = (PPh2)2NH = dppa), can potentially react with substrates at either the coordinated hydride or borohydride sites. Reaction of 1a·BF4 with CS2 has given rise to [Cu3(μ3-H)(μ2,μ1-S2CH)LPh3](BF4), (2a·BF4), which was structurally characterised using electrospray ionisation (ESI) with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), X-ray crystallography, NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The copper(i) atoms adopt a planar trinuclear Cu3 geometry coordinated on the bottom face by a μ3-hydride, on the top face by a μ2,μ1-dithioformate and surrounded by three bridging LPh ligands. Reaction of 1a·BF4 with elemental sulfur gives the known clu..