[GeRu6(CO)18HI]: A Germanium-Centered Ruthenium Carbonyl Cluster with Aromatic Ring Current

Abstract

The carbonyl cluster compound [GeRu₆(CO)₁₈HI] is unique in regard to its structure and bonding with a GeRu₆ cluster core, a planar GeRu₄HI unit, extensive multi-center bonding, and an aromatic ring current similar to benzene (9-10 nA T^-1). The open-shell cluster core is a Ge-centered five-membered Ru₄(Ru₂) ring with CO ligands and an additional H and I atom, each bridging two Ru atoms on opposite sides of the cluster core. The compound is prepared at 130 °C in a weakly-coordinating ionic liquid.

Keywords: germanium‐centered; liquid‐phase synthesis; ruthenium carbonyl cluster; sigma aromaticity.