Janus reactivity character of [{Mo6Cl8}Cl5☐]− cluster anion

Researchers from ISCR and IETR, CNRS - University of Rennes, together with two spectroscopists from the University of Mons report the unexpected double reactivity of the [{Mo6Cl8}Cl5☐]− cluster anion in unusual anion-anion interactions in the gas phase. Interestingly, Coulomb repulsion could be avoided upon electric field orientation and both nucleophilic and electrophilic reactions can occur depending on the site of attack. This amazing behavior revealed by MS-MS spectrometry leads to an unusual self-reactivity of these Mo6-cluster anions. These results open new horizons in the field of Mo6 cluster chemistry in particular for the preparation of cluster-based materials such as modified surface.