[(thf )6Ba6(dmpz)8{(OSiMe2)2O}2] (dmpz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolate): a molecule with six barium cations in a plane capped by two siloxane dianions and framed by eight dmpz anions †

In the synthesis of barium 3,5-dimethylpyrazolate, silicone joint grease and cyclo-(Me2SiO)4 are cleaved and two O(SiMe2O)22− bidentate chelating siloxane anions are coordinated above and below an unprecedented Ba612− layer framed by eight σ/π coordinated pyrazolate anions.