A Simple Synthesis of [(Cp*Al)₄] and Its Conversion to the Heterocubanes [(Cp*AlSe)₄] and [(Cp*AlTe)₄] (Cp* = η⁵‐C₅(CH₃)₅)

Al4Se4 and Al4Te4 cubes are the central structural units of the heterocubanes [(Cp*AlSe)4] and [(Cp*AlTe)4] 1 (structure shown on right). These compounds were formed by the reaction of the tetrameric AlI compound [(Cp*Al)4] with elemental selenium and tellurium, respectively. The driving force of this smooth reaction is the conversion from AlI to AlIII. Cp* = η5-C5Me5;