Synthesis and characterization of a large heterometallic alkoxide cation: Self-assembly and rational route to [Co2Ta2(OMe)12(MeCN)4]2+[CoCl3(MeCN)]2-

Interaction of CoCl2 and [Ta(OMe)5] produced a small amount of the ionic [Co2Ta2(OMe)12(MeCN)4]2+[CoCl3(MeCN)]2-·2MeCN (1). Rational synthesis of this potential polymerization catalyst was achieved by reaction of [NaTa(OMe)6] with 4 eq. of CoCl2 in toluene/acetonitrile to give a new form [Co2Ta2(OMe)12(MeCN)4][CoCl3(MeCN)]2 (2).