A new binary carbonyl of iron:: the synthesis of Fe4(CO)14 by co-deposition of mass-selected Fe4 with CO

Size-selected Fe-4(+) was co-condensed with excess CO at low temperatures, resulting in the formation of a previously unknown binary iron carbonyl. Based on its FT-LR spectrum and comparison with isoelectronic congeners, the new species is proposed to be Fe-4(CO)(14), with a (distorted) tetrahedrally disposed central iran cluster core, three terminal COs on each iron and two doubly bridging carbonyls connecting opposing iron-iron bonds. However, the structure determination is not definitive. The UV-visible absorption spectrum shows two absorption bands centered at 277 and 305 nm. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.