Multielectron donors based on TTF-phosphine and ferrocene-phosphine hybrid complexes of a hexarhenium(III) octahedral cluster core

Electroactive molecular materials precursors are obtained through coordination chemistry of the hexarhenium cluster core [Re6Se8](2+) on the six available apical positions with redox-active phosphines bearing tetrathiafulvalene- or ferrocene-based moieties. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction study and electrospray mass spectrometry ascertain the synthesis of these hexasubstituted electroactive clusters, containing up to 12 redox active sites. Cyclic voltammetry experiments demonstrate that these compounds can be reversibly oxidized at rather low potentials, thus allowing an easy access to the corresponding radical species which should provide new conducting and/or magnetic molecular materials.