The intermetalloid cluster [(Cp*AlCu)₆H₄], embedding a Cu₆ core inside an octahedral Al₆ shell: Molecular models of Hume-Rothery nanophases

Defined molecular models for the surface chemistry of Hume-Rothery nanophases related to catalysis are very rare. The Al-Cu intermetalloid cluster [(Cp*AlCu)₆H₄] was selectively obtained from the clean reaction of [(Cp*Al)₄] and [(Ph₃PCuH) ₆]. The stronger affinity of Cp*Al towards Cu sweeps the phosphine ligands from the copper hydride precursor and furnishes an octahedral Al₆ cage to encapsulate the Cu₆ core. The resulting hydrido cluster M₁₂H₄ reacts with benzonitrile to give the stoichiometric hydrometalation product [(Cp*AlCu)₆H ₃(N=CHPh)]. Aluminum-copper cluster: The novel intermetallic cluster [(Cp*AlCu)₆H₄] was selectively obtained from the reaction of [Cp*Al]₄ and [Ph₃PCuH]₆. The stronger affinity of Cp*Al towards Cu sweeps the phosphine ligands from the hydride derivative and furnishes an octahedral Al₆ cage to encapsulate the Cu₆ core. The hydrido cluster M₁₂H ₄ reacts with benzonitrile to give the stoichiometric insertion product [(Cp*AlCu)₆H₃(N=CHPh)].