# Phenylseleninate-Connected Telluroxane Clusters

## TL;DR

Scientists created large, spherical clusters using tellurium and metal ions, connected by phenylseleninate bridges and containing nitrate ions.

## Contribution

A new class of bowl-shaped telluroxane clusters connected by phenylseleninate bridges is synthesized and characterized.

## Key findings

- Telluroxane clusters with internal volumes of ~1500 ų are formed using M³⁺ ions and phenylseleninate.
- The clusters are composed of two metal-centered bowls connected by phenylseleninate bridges.
- Nitrate ions and [Na₂(NO₃)₈]⁶⁻ clusters provide charge compensation inside the spheres.

## Abstract

Hydrolysis of PhTeI3 in the presence of sodium
phenylseleninate
and M3+ ions (M = Y, Nd, Ce) gives well-defined, bowl-shaped
telluroxane clusters. Each of the two half-spheres of the compositions
[(PhTe)18{ML}O24]7+/8+ ({ML} = {Y(NO3)(H2O)}2+ (1), {Nd(NO3)(H2O)2+} (2), or {Ce(NO3)2}+ (3)) are connected
by two (compound 3) or four (compounds 1 and 2) PhSeO2– bridges.
The resulting chalcogenoxane spheres have internal volumes of approximately
1500 Å3. Charge compensation is provided by nitrate
ions and/or [Na2(NO3)8]6– clusters, which are located inside and surrounding these spheres.

Large, spherical chalcogenoxane clusters are
formed by hydrolysis
of [PhTeI3]2 in the presence of sodium phenylseleninate
and M3+ nitrates (M = Y, Nd, Ce). These clusters comprise
two M3+-centered telluroxane bowls being connected by phenylseleninate
bridges. The voids inside these spheres have volumes of approximately
1500 Å3 and are filled with nitrate and/or [Na2(NO3)8]6 counterions.