Alkali metal-templated assembly of the tetrahedral cyanometallate cages [M⊂Mo4(μ-CN)6(CO)12]5− (M = Li, Na)

Acetonitrile solutions of (mesitylene)Mo(CO)3, 1.5 equiv. Et4NCN, and 0.25 equiv M+ afford the inorganic tetrahedranes (Et4N)5[M⊂Mo4(μ-CN)6(CO )12] (M = Na, Li), the strained nature of which is indicated by their ready reaction with CsO3SCF3 to give trigonal prismatic (Et4N)8[Cs⊂Mo6(μ-CN)9(C O)18].