Synthesis and crystal structure of Nb2S4(S2NCEt2)4, the first molecular complex containing an [Nb2(μ2-S2)2]4+ fragment

The crystal structure was determined for Nb₂S₄(S₂NCEt₂)₄ obtained in 48% yield by the reaction of Cs₄Nb₂S₄(NCS)₈ with NaS₂CNEt₂ in water: a=21.181(8), b=6.958(1), c=16.623(6) Å, ß=133.95(2)^o, V = 1764(1) ų, space group C2/m, Z=2, d_calc=1.708 g/cm³. The measurements were carried out on a Syntex P2₁ diffractometer with CuK_a radiation. A total of 2536 reflections were measured, of which 990 were used, R_aniso=0.0444. The basic fragment in this molecule is [Nb₂(µ₂-S₂)₂]⁴⁺, the Nb-Nb distance in which corresponds to a metal-metal single bond. The molecule is partially disordered over two positions about the twofold axis and mirror plane of the C2/m space group. The dithiocarbamate and disulfide ligands with bidentate coordination form a distorted square antiprism about each of the niobium atoms as in NbS₂Cl₂. The anomalously large S-S bond length in the S₂ ligand [2.282(5) Å] may be attributed to inaccuracy in the determination due to disorder.