Reduction of[(-C
5Me
5)VCl(
-N)]
2with so
dium amalgam in toluene gave the
diamagnetic cubane[(
-C
5Me
5)V(
3-N)]
4,which was characterize
d by spectroscopy, chemical analysis, an
d X-ray crystallography.The cluster has short V-V an
d V-N
distances(2.674(8)an
d 1.87(2) Å, respectively), in
dicative of a strongV-Nbon
d. It can be reversibly re
duce
d electrochemicallyto{[(
-C
5Me
5)V(
3-N)]
4}
-.