[{Co(Cp) 2 }{CuI 2 }] n (n = 3, 4), Cobaltocenium Iodocuprates( I ) with Unusual Anion Structures

Large cations with small charge stabilize multinuclear iodocuprate(I) ions. This is confirmed by the synthesis of the homologous complexes [Co(Cp) 2 ] 3 [Cu 3 I 6 ] and [Co(Cp) 2 ] 4 [Cu 4 1 8 ]. The striving of the iodine atoms to arrange themselves in an energetically favorable spherical packing and the influence of the cations on the type of packing and the occupation of their tetrahedral and triangular holes by Cu I , led to unforeseeable anionic structures like 1 .