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

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

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The synthesis and structure of the novel octametallic cluster [(Yb44-O)(µ2-OPri)22-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 Ybnn−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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3-10
Number of pages8
JournalMain Group Chemistry
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Aluminum
  • Oxide
  • Ytterbium

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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