Use of a structurally characterized molecular cluster to form Yb₃Al₅O₁₂ under ambient conditions

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Liu, Shengming | Wei, Pingrong | Wang, Yuzhong | Santillan-Jimenez, Eduardo | Bakus II, Ronald C. | Atwood, David A.

Affiliations: Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0055, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Email:[email protected]

Abstract: The synthesis and structure of the novel octametallic cluster [{Yb4(µ4-O)(µ2-OPri)2(µ2-Me)4}{(µ2-Me)(µ2-OiPr)AlMe2}4] 1 and its use to form Yb3Al5O12 under ambient conditions is reported. The compound was formed by combining AlMe3 with 99.8% pure Yb(OiPr)3. Nevertheless, the compound has similarities with the known hydrolysis product Yb5(O)(OiPr)13, including a central Ybn-µn-oxide. In the structure each AlMe2 unit is joined to an ytterbium atom by bridging Me and OiPr groups in a manner that is observed for many other aluminum – lanthanide alkoxides. What is unprecedented for lanthanide oxide – alkoxide clusters, however, is the bridging of each pair of Yb atoms by two Me groups. The use of 1 to form Yb3Al5O12 is an indication that oxophilic mixed-metal oxide clusters that contain extensive metal – oxygen connectivity may be predisposed to hydrolyze to the mixed-metal oxide solid-state material. This concept was established previously for the aluminum-only Mitsubishi molecules [Al{µ-OEt)2AlR2}3], which are converted into nanoparticulate alumina by exposure of hexane solutions of the molecule to moist air.

Keywords: Ytterbium, Aluminum, Oxide

DOI: 10.1080/10241220500046059

Journal: Main Group Chemistry, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 3-10, 2005