Synthesis and crystal structure of a novel multiple bridged cubane type (Li4O3Cl)(3) lithium carbonato chloro HMPA siloxane complex, [[Li-4(mu(3)-Cl)(mu(6)-OSi(CH3)(2)O(CH3)(2)SiO) (mu-OP(N(CH3)(2))(3))(OP(N(CH3)(2))(3))](3)(mu(3)-Cl)(mu(9)-CO3)]center dot 2C(4)H(8)O

The lithium complex mu(9)-carbonato-O,O',O''-mu(3)-chloro-tris(mu(3)-chloro-mu-hexamethylphosphoramide-O-hexamethylphosphoramide-O-mu(6)-tetramethylsiloxanediolato-O,O'-tetralithium) bis-tetrahydrofuran, [[Li-4(mu(3)-Cl)(mu(6)-C4H12O3Si2) (mu-C6H18N3OP) (C6H18N3OP)](3)(mu(3)-Cl)mu(9)-CO3)]. 2C(4)H(8)O, was formed in a reaction between dichlorodimethylsilane and dry ethanol followed by reaction with Bu(II)Li, HMPA (hexamethylphosphoramide) and TiCl4. The structure consists of three Li4O3Cl cubanes which are linked together by a central chloride and carbonate ion. In addition, three tetramethyl siloxanediolato and HMPA bridges join the cubanes externally. The remaining three HMPA molecules are monocoordinated to the lithium atoms. The crystal also contains two tetrahydrofuran solvent molecules.