Regular High-Nuclearity Species from Square Building Blocks: A Triangular 3 × [2 × 2] Ni12 Complex Generated by the Self-assembly of Three [2 × 2] Ni4 Molecular Grids

A dodecanuclear 3 × [2 × 2] nickel(II) complex has been obtained via the self-association of three tetranuclear [2 × 2] molecular grids. X-ray diffraction shows a “propeller-like” structure of the [Ni4]3 scaffold with a central μ3-hydroxide. The dodecanuclear species remains stable in solution and can be deposited without decomposition on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite surfaces.