Straightforward synthesis and structure of a new starting material for niobium cluster phases: [[Nb.sub.6][Cl.sup.i.sub.12][(CH3OH).sup.a.sub.4][Cl.sup.a.sub.2]].6C[H.sub.3]OH

The straightforward preparation and the crystal structure of the new compound [[Nb.sub.6][Cl.sup.i.sub.12][(CH3OH).sup.a.sub.4][Cl.sup.a.sub.2]].6C[H.sub.3]OH which contains the neutral [N[b.sub.6]C[l.sup.i.sub.12][(C[H.sub.3]OH).sup.a.sub.4]C[l.sup.a.sub.2]] cluster unit with an octahedral [[N[b.sub.6]C[l.sup.i.sub.12].sup.2+] cluster core is reported. The three-dimensional arrangement of the cluster units follows a stacking along the unit cell directions, resulting in a layered arrangement of the clusters, between which the methanol molecules are located.