The First CeIV Metallasilsesquioxane Complex: [Ce{(c-C6H11)8Si8O13}2(py)3]

The diamagnetic CeIV complex 1 is the main product of the reaction of the CeIII compounds [Ce{N(SiMe3)2}3] or CeCl3 with two equivalents of the polyhedral silsesquioxane (c-C6H11)8Si8O11(OH)2 in the presence of pyridine (py). Compound 1 is a potential homogeneous analogue of silica-supported rare earth metal catalysts, and its novel synthesis may open routes to other metallasilsesquioxanes. R=cyclohexyl.