[AL-5((T)BU)(5)(MU(3)-O)(2)(MU(3)-OH)(2)(MU-OH)(2)(MU-O(2)CPH)(2)] A MODEL FOR THE INTERACTION OF CARBOXYLIC-ACIDS WITH BOEHMITE

Reaction of [((t)Bu)Al(mu(3)-O)](6) with benzoic acid affords the structurally characterized pentaaluminum compound [Al-5((t)Bu)(5)(mu(3)-O)(2)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu-OH)2(mu-O(2)CPh)(2)], in which the aluminums are five-coordinate and the benzoate ligands act as handles to the ''basket'' structure derived from the structure of [Al-6((t)Bu)(6)(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(4)]. The binding interaction between the benzoates is discussed with respect to the proposed interaction between carboxylates and an Al-5 fragment of the mineral boehmite, [Al(O)(OH)]n, and the benzoate alumoxane, [Al(O)(x)(OH)y(mu-O(2)CPh)(z)](n).