{Ge9R3Cr(CO)5}− and {Ge9R3Cr(CO)3}−: a metalloid cluster (Ge9R3−) as a flexible ligand in coordination chemistry [R = Si(SiMe3)3]

The reactions of the metalloid cluster {Ge9[Si(SiMe3)3]3}- with Cr(CO)5COE (COE=cyclooctene) and Cr(CO)3(CH3CN)3 lead to the new cluster compounds {Ge9[Si(SiMe3)3]3Cr(CO)5}- and {Ge9[Si(SiMe3)3]3Cr(CO)3}-, whose structural and electronic properties are presented.