Structure and catalytic activity of a hexarhenium cluster-supported copper cubanes [{Cu4(μ-OH)4(NH3)7}2{Re6Se8(CN)6}][Re6Se8(CN)6] · 2H2O

The first hexarhenium cluster-supported Cu4(OH)4 cubanes had been synthesized. The complex displayed a belt-like one-dimensional structure with dangling Cu4 cubanes. As a heterogeneous catalyst, the complex showed a high catalytic activity in the transesterification of a range of esters with methanol under the mild conditions. Moreover, it can be reused without any loss of activity through five runs with ester, which suggests that this catalyst is an efficient, mild, and easily recyclable one for the alcoholysis of esters.