Synthesis, crystal structures, and DFT calculations of tungsten (IV) and tungsten (VI) phosphino polyhydrides

The structure of three tungsten polyhydride compounds containing phosphine ligands has been determined. The structures show, for the first time, the location of all hydrides in each of the compounds. Careful inspection of the core of these complexes reveal intriguing eight and nine-coordinate geometries. Two of the compounds demonstrate dodecahedron geometries while the third compound forms a tricapped trigonal prism (see figure).