Formation and x-ray structure of a novel tetradecanuclear copper(I) cluster complex Cu14(μ2-S)(SPh)12(PPh3)6

The neutral tetradecanuclear copper(I) thiolate cluster complex has been formed from the reaction of (Ph3P)2Cu(S2CSPh) with CH2Cl2 and MeOH and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. The core of the [Cu14(μ2-S)(SPh)12(PPh3)6] cluster consists of a sulphur ion at the centre of a cub of eight copper(I) atoms, which is inscribed into an icosahedron of twelve sulphur atoms. The other six copper(I) atoms form an octahedron and the icosahedron of S12 fits inside the octahedron of Cu6.