Crystal structure of [Th3(Cp*)3(O)(OH)3]2Cl2(N3)6: a discrete mol­ecular capsule built from multinuclear organothorium cluster cations

An unusually large and structurally complex charge-neutral polynuclear cluster, hexa-μ2-azido-di-μ3-chlorido-hexa-μ2-hydroxido-di-μ3-oxido-hexa­kis­(penta­methyl­cyclo­penta­dien­yl)hexa­thorium–diethyl ether–tetra­hydro­furan (1/0.56/1.44), [Th3(C10H15)6Cl3(N3)6(OH)6O2]·0.56C4H10O·1.44C4H8O or [Th3(Cp*)3(O)(OH)3]2Cl2(N3)6·0.56C4H10O·1.44C4H8O (Cp* = [penta­methyl­cyclo­penta­dien­yl])−, has been crystallized as a mixed tetra­hydro­furan/diethyl ether solvate and structurally characterized. The mol­ecule contains a number of unusual features, the most notable being a finite yet exceptionally long cyclic metal-azido chain. These rare features are the consequence of both sterically protecting Cp* ligands and highly bridging oxide and hydroxide ligands in the same system and illustrate the inter­esting new possibilities that can arise from combining organometallic and solvothermal f-block element chemistry.