Solution structures of mono- and ditriangular chini clusters of nickel and platinum. An x-ray scattering and quantum chemical study

The liquid structures of the mono- and ditriangular clusters of nickel and platinum were investigated through x-ray scattering and quantum chemical studies. Results showed that both clusters adopted an overall staggered ditriangular structure of D3 symmetry in solution. Analysis of the possibilities to stabilize monotriangular carbonyl clusters of Ni and Pt in solution revealed that only monotriangular Pt clusters can be stabilized. Attempts to isolate the Ni cluster only produced the stable compound [Ni5(CO)12]2-.