[Ni 3 (μ 3 ‐CNMe)(μ 3 ‐I)(CNMe) 2 (Ph 2 PCH 2 PPh 2 ) 2 ]I, a triangulo Nickel Cluster with an Unprecedented Symmetric Linear μ 3 ‐η 1 Isocyanide Ligand

Although M 3 ‐clusters with a μ 3 ‐η 1 ‐CO ligand have been known for some time , it is only now that it has become possible to prepare a μ 3 ‐η 1 ‐CNR analogue—the title compound, which is derived from a reaction of [Ni 2 (μ 2 ‐CNMe)(CNMe) 2 (Ph 2 PCH 2 PPh 2 ) 2 ] with CH 2 I 2 in toluene at 50 °C. The illustration to the right depicts the central framework of the molecule, a characteristic feature of which is capping of both sides of the Ni 3 triangle: by the I ⊖ ion and the CNMe group. Among other things, the number of electrons involved in this new cluster should serve as a stimulus for theoretical studies.