Structure of a hepta-nuclear termetallic oxo-alkoxide: Eu 3 K 3 TiO 2 (OBu t ) 11 (OMe/OH)(HOBu t )

The novel termetallic oxo-methoxo-tert-butoxide Eu3K3TiO2(OBut)11(OMe/OH)(HOBut) (1) has been synthesised and structurally and spectroscopically characterised. Its unusual structure features an Eu3K3O fac-octahedron, capped by a distorted K3TiO tetrahedron on the K3 face. The compound, crystallising in space group P21/n with cell parameters a = 14.44 Å, b = 23.58 Å, c = 21.27 Å and β = 96.18°, is the result of incomplete metathesis between EuCl3 and potassium and titanium tert-butoxides in combination with deliberate hydrolysis and decomposition. It provides one of few examples of termetallic lanthanide alkoxides, as well as of an alkoxide tert-butyl group decomposing into a methyl group.