Cluster chemistry: XXXIX. Gold—ruthenium clusters with sulphur ligands: Synthesis and structure of HRu3Au(μ3-S)(CO)9(PPh3), Ru3Au(μ3-SBut)(CO)9(PPh3) and Ru3Au2(μ3-S)(CO)9(PPh3)2

H₂Ru₃(μ₃-S)(CO)₉ is deprotonated by K[HBBu^s₃] to give cluster anions which react with [O{Au(PPh₃)}₃]⁺ or with AuCl(PPh₃)/T1⁺ to give HRu₃Au(μ₃-S)(CO)₉(PPh₃) (1) and Ru₃Au₂(μ₃-S)(CO)₉(PPh₃)₂ (3). A similar sequence with HRu₃(μ₃-SBu^t)(CO)₉ leads to Ru₃Au(μ₃-SBu^t)(CO)₉(PPh₃) (2) as the main product although some 1 also forms, indicating SC cleavage competes with deprotonation of HRu₃(μ₃-SBu^t)(CO)₉ by [HBBu^s₃]^?. The X-ray crystal structures of 1, 2 and 3 are described; (1) and (2) have “butterfly” AuRu₃ cores with markedly different hinge angles of 119 and 148° respectively, while 3 has a trigonal-bipyramidal Au₂Ru₃ skeleton. All three clusters have the sulphur atom symmetrically bridging the Ru₃ triangular face.     

Two gold-ruthenium clusters derived from Ru3(μ-H)3(μ3-CBr)(CO)9

The reaction between AuMe(PPh₃) and Ru₃(μ-H)₃(μ₃-CBr)(CO)₉ (1) affords the novel heptanuclear cluster Au₄Ru₃(μ₃-CMe)(Br)(CO)₉(PPh₃)₃ (2), containing an Au/Ru₃/Au trigonal pyramidal cluster face-capped by two Au(PPh₃) groups and a CMe ligand, together with Au₂Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-CMe)(CO)₉(PPh₃)₂ (3), formed by isolobal replacement of two of the three μ-H atoms in 1 by Au(PPh₃) groups. The latter co-crystallises with the analogous μ₃-CH complex, as also shown spectroscopically.     

Synthesis, structure and optical limiting properties of organoruthenium-chalcogenide clusters

Treatment of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with Ph₃PS affords the compounds [Ru₃(μ₃-S)₂(CO)_9 − n(PPh₃)_n] (n = 1 (1a), 2 (2a)) and [Ru₃(μ₃-S)(μ₃-CO)(CO)₇(PPh₃)₂] (3a) as the major products. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of [Ru₃(μ₃-S)₂(CO)₈(PPh₃)] and [Ru₃(μ₃-S)(μ₃-CO)(CO)₇(PPh₃)₂] show these two classes of compounds to contain square pyramidal Ru₃S₂ and trigonal pyramidal Ru₃S metal cores, respectively, with the latter being isostructural to the analogous selenide cluster compound. The clusters [Ru₃(μ₃-E)₂(CO)_9 − n(PPh₃)_n] (E = S, n = 1; E = Se, n = 2) readily undergo ligand displacement reactions with PPh₃ to afford the compounds [Ru₃(μ₃-E)₂(CO)₆(PPh₃)₃] (E = S, 5a; E = Se 5b). The mixed chalcogenide cluster, [Ru₃(μ₃-S)(μ₃-Se)(CO)₇(PPh₃)₂] (6), was prepared from the reaction of [Ru₃(μ₃-S)(μ₃-CO)(CO)₇(PPh₃)₂] and SePPh₃. The optical limiting properties of the complexes 1a,b, 2a,b, 5a,b have been measured by the Z-scan technique employing 40 ns pulses at 523 nm; power limiting was observed for all clusters under our experimental conditions.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of [Au3Ru4(μ3-H)(CO)12(PPh3)3]

The title compound can be prepared in good yield by heating either [Ru₄(μ-H)₄(CO)₁₂] or [Au₂Ru₄(μ₃-H)₂(CO)₁₂(PPh₃)₂] with [AuMe(PPh₃)] in toluene. The related compound [Au₃Ru₄(μ₃-H)(μ-dppm)(CO)₁₂(PPh₃)] has also been prepared. Both trigoldtetraruthenium clusters undergo dynamic behaviour in solution, involving intramolecular rearrangement of the metal core, as revealed by variable temperature NMR studies. The crystal structure of [Au₃Ru₄(μ₃-H)(CO)₁₂(PPh₃)₃] has been established by an X-ray diffraction study. The metal atom core comprises a trigonal bipyramidal AuRu₄ unit with two AuRu₂ faces capped by gold atoms.     

Ruthenium cluster chemistry: Monodentate bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene-ligated cluster modules in chain and dendrimer formation

Reaction of Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₁₀ [dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane] with one equivalent of dppa [dppa = bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene] afforded Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉(η¹-dppa) which possesses a monodentate dppa ligand,an X-ray structural study revealing that all phosphorus donor atoms are arranged in equatorial coordination sites with respect to the triruthenium cluster plane.Reaction of Ru₃(CO)₉(NCMe)₃ with excess dppa afforded fair yields of Ru₃(CO)₉(η¹-dppa)₃,which possesses three monodentate dppa ligands.Reaction of three equivalents of Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉(η¹-dppa) with Ru₃(CO)₉(NCMe)₃ or reaction of Ru₃(CO)₉(η¹-dppa)₃ with excess Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₁₀ afforded low yields of the dodecanuclear first-generation dendrimer Ru₃(CO)₉{PPh₂C₂PPh₂Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉}₃.Reaction of WIr₃(μ-CO)₃(CO)₈(η-C₅Me₅) with excess Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉(η¹-dppa) afforded fair yields of the decanuclear dppa-bridged tri-cluster WIr₃(CO)₉{PPh₂C₂PPh₂Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉}₂(η-C₅Me₅).     

Diphenylphosphine and diphenylphosphido derivatives of [Ru3(μ-H)(μ3-ampy)(CO)9] (Hampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridine)

The reactions of [Ru₃(μ-H)(μ-ampy)(CO)₉] (1) (Hampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridine) with one or two equivalents of PPh₂H lead to the complexes [Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-ampy)(CO)₈(PPh₂H)] (2) or [Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-ampy)(CO)₇(PPh₂H)₂] (3), in which the PPh₂H ligands are cis to the bridging NH fragment and cis to the hydride. Complex 2 can be transformed in refluxing THF into the phosphido-bridged derivative [Ru₃(μ₃-ampy)(μ-PPh₂)(μ-CO)₂(CO)₆] (4), which contains the PPh₂ ligand spanning one of the two RuRu edges unbridged by the amido moiety, and presents an extremely high ³¹P chemical shift of 386.9 ppm. Under similar conditions, complex 3 gives a mixture of two isomers of [Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-ampy)(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₆] in a 5:1 ratio; the major product (5) has a plane of symmetry, whereas the minor one (6) is asymmetric.     

Synthesis,characterization, and reactivity of a novel ruthenium carbonyl cluster containing tri-O-benzyl-d-glucal as a chiral carbohydrate ligand

A chiral carbohydrate ligand 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-d-glucal (L) reacts with the cluster triruthenium dodecacarbonyl Ru₃(CO)₁₂ giving a novel chiral cluster Ru₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₉(L-2H) (I) that shows fluxional behavior at room temperature. The reaction of Ru₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₉(L-2H) (I) with triphenylphosphine and diphenylphosphinoethane (dppe) gives two new clusters Ru₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₇(L-2H)(PPh₃)₂ (II) and Ru₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₇(L-2H)(dppe) (III). The new compounds I, II and III have been characterized by a combination of elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, infrared and variable temperature NMR spectroscopy.     

Cluster chemistry: XXXIII. Reactions of [{Au(PPh3)}3O]+ with [Ru3(μ3-C2But)(CO)9]−: X-ray structure of [Ru3Au2(μ3-CCHBut)(CO)9(PPh3)2], containing a t-butylvinylidene ligand attached to a trigonal-bipyramidal Ru3Au2 core

Deprotonation (K[HBBu₃^s]) of HRu₃(μ₃-C₂Bu^t)(CO)₉, followed by reaction of the anion with [O{Au(PPh₃)}₃][BF₄], afforded the known complex Ru₃Au(μ₃-C₂Bu^t)(CO)₉ (9%), the vinylidene cluster Ru₃Au₂(μ₃-CCHBu^t)(CO)₉(PPh₃)₂ (16%) and the hexanuclear Ru₃Au₃(C₂Bu^t)(CO)₈(PPh₃)₃ (3%). The X-ray structure of the pentanuclear complex shows an asymmetric trigonal-bipyramidal Ru₃Au₂ core (Ru, Au at the apices) with the Ru₃ face bridged by a t-butylvinylidene ligand, being σ-bonded to Ru(1) and Ru(3), and η²-coordinated to Ru(2). Crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/n with a 19.121(3), b 13.109(3), c 23.649(4) Å, β 106.76(2)° and Z = 4. The structure was solved using 4405 observed diffractometer data, and refined to R 0.044, R_w 0.047.     

Cluster chemistry: XXXV. Reactions of some ruthenium cluster complexes with hydrogen: Cleavage of element-carbon bonds

Hydrogenation (20 atm, 80°C, 2 h) of trinuclear Ru₃(CO)_12-nL_n (L= tertiary phosphine or phosphite; n = 1–3) resulted in aggregation to give mixtures of H₄Ru₄(CO)12-n(L)_n (n = 0–4), but Ru₃(CO)₁₀(L-L) (L-L=dppm, dpam) gave Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-PhECH₂EPh₂)(CO)₉ (E = P, As, respectively) and Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ₃-PPh)(CO)₈(PMePh₂), and Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-SBu^t)(CO)₉ gave Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ₃-S)(CO)₉ by cleavage of PC, AsC, or SC bonds. Both types of reaction occurred with Ru₃(CO)₁₀(dppe) and [Ru₃(CO)₁₁]₂(μ-dppe).     

Moderating the nucleophilicity of the sulfide ligands in the dinuclear {Pt2S2} metalloligand system using triphenylarsine

Reaction of cis-[PtCl₂(AsPh₃)₂] with excess sodium sulfide in benzene gave the triphenylarsine analogue of the well-known metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] as an orange solid.The compound was characterised by detailed mass spectrometry studies, and by conversion to various alkylated and metallated derivatives.The sulfide ligands in [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)₄] are less basic than the triphenylphosphine analogue, and the complex gives a relatively weak [M+H]⁺ ion in the positive-ion electrospray (ESI) mass spectrum, compared with the phosphine analogue.Methylation of an equimolar mixture of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)₄] with MeI gave the species [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SMe)(AsPh₃)₄]⁺ and [Pt₂(μ-SMe)₂(PPh₃)₃I]⁺, indicating a reduced tendency for the sulfide of [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SMe)(AsPh₃)₄]⁺ to undergo alkylation.The lability of the arsine ligands is confirmed by the reaction of an equimolar mixture of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)₄] with n-butyl chloride, giving [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SBu)(EPh₃)₄]⁺ (E = P, As), which with Me₂SO₄ gave a mixture of [Pt₂(μ-SMe)(μ-SBu)(PPh₃)₄]²⁺ and [Pt₂(μ-SMe)(μ-SBu)(AsPh₃)₃Cl]⁺.Reactivity towards 1,2-dichloroethane follows a similar pattern.The formation and ESI MS detection of mixed phosphine-arsine {Pt₂S₂} species of the type[Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)_n(PPh₃)_4−n] is also discussed. Coordination chemistry of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)₄] towards a range of metal-chloride substrates, forming sulfide-bridged trinuclear aggregates, has also been probed using ESI MS, and found to be similar to the phosphine analogue. The X-ray crystal structure of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)₄Pt(cod)](PF₆)₂ (cod = 1,5-cyclo-octadiene) has been determined for comparison with the (previously reported) triphenylphosphine analogue. ESI MS is a powerful tool in exploring the chemistry of this system; in some cases the derivatising agent p-bromobenzyl bromide is used to convert sparingly soluble and/or poorly ionising {Pt₂S₂} species into soluble, charged derivatives for MS analysis.     

Cluster chemistry: XXIII. Mono-, di- and tri-auration of H4Ru4(CO)12 with [{Au(PPh3)}3O][BF4]: X-ray crystal structure of HRu4Au3(CO)12(PPh3)3

Reactions between [H₃Ru₄(CO)₁₂]^? and [{Au(PPh₃)}₃O]⁺ afford H₃Ru₄-Au(CO)₁₂(PPh₃), H₂Ru₄Au₂(CO)₁₂(PPh₃)₂ and HRu₄Au₃(CO)₁₂(PPh₃)₃. The X-ray structure of the latter shows that it has the unusual bicapped trigonal bipyramidal metal core, in which two Ru₂Au faces of the Ru₄Au fragment are capped by the other two Au atoms. The central Au atom is asymmetrically attached to the Ru₃ face as a result of the interaction of a phenyl ring of the PPh₃ ligand with two of the CO groups. Metal-metal separations are: two Au-Au, 2.837(1) Å; Ru-Ru, six between 2.805–3.004(3) Å; Au-Ru, seven between 2.821–3.007(2) Å. HRu₄Au₃(CO)₁₂(PPh₃)₃ is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, with a 18.754(3), b 18.459(5), c 22.317(4) Å, β 113.06(2)°; 2852 data [I > 2.5σ(I)] were refined to R, R_w 0.038, 0.038.     

Preliminary communicationCatalytic olefin hydrogenation with nonacarbonyltris(triphenylphosphine)triruthenium and its derivatives. Crystal structure of [Ru2(CO)5(PPh3)(μ-PPh2)(μ-OCPh)]

The complexes [Ru₃(CO)₇(PPh₂)₂(C₆H₄)] and [Ru₂(CO)₅(PPh₃)(μ-PPh₂)(μ-OCPh)] were obtained by pyrolysis of [Ru₃(CO)₉(PPh₃)₃] and tested as catalysts for the hydrogenation of cyclohexene and 2-cyclohexen-1-one. The structure of [Ru₂(CO)₅(PPh₃)(μ-PPh₂)(μ-OCPh)] was established by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Cluster chemistry: XXX. Reaction of a triruthenium anion with [O{Au(PPh3)}3][BF4]: Synthesis and structure of Ru3Au3(μ3-2η1,η3-C12H15)(CO)8(PPh3)3

The cluster HRu₃(μ₃-C₁₂H₁₅)(CO)₉ is rapidly deprotonated by K[HBBu₃^sec] in tetrahydrofuran, generating the anion [Ru₃(μ₃-C₁₂H₁₅)(CO)₉]^? in high yield. Reaction between this anion and [O{Au(PPh₃)}₃][BF₄] gives Ru₃Au₃(μ₃-C₁₂H₁₅)(CO)₈(PPh₃)₃ (2) as the main product, shown by an X-ray study to contain a capped trigonal-bipyramidal Ru₃Au₃ core in which the C₁₂H₁₅ ligand is bonded in the μ₃-2η¹,η³ fashion to the Ru₃ face. An alternative formulation involving the cyclo-Au₃(PPh₃)₃ moiety acting as a three-electron donor to the Ru₃ cluster is discussed. Crystals of 2 are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a 13.574(1), b 40.634(4), c 14.617(2) Å, β 92.58(1)°, Z = 4; 3233 data with I > 3σ(I) were refined to R = 0.078, R_w = 0.084.     

Photoinduced formation of phosphido-bridged clusters derived from Ru3(CO)9(PPh2H)3. Crystal and molecular structure of Ru3(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)3(CO)7

The new complex Ru₃(CO)₉(PPh₂H)₃ (I) was prepared by the direct thermal reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with PPh₂ H and was spectroscopically characterized. Irradiation of I with λ ≥ 300 nm leads to the formation of Ru₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₆ (II) and three new phosphido-bridged complexes, Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₈ (III), Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₇(PPh₂H) (IV) and Ru₃(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)₃(CO)₇ (V). These complexes have been characterized spectroscopically and Ru₃ (μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)₃(CO)₇ by a complete single crystal X-ray structure determination. It crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n with a 20.256(3), b 22.418(6), c 20.433(5) Å, β 112.64(2)°, V 8564(4) ų, and Z = 8. Diffraction data were collected on a Syntex P2₁ automated diffractometer using graphite-monochromatized Mo-K_α radiation, and the structure was refined to R_F 4.76% and R_wF 5.25% for the 8,847 independent reflections with F₀ > 6σ(F₀). The structure consists of a triangular array of Ru atoms with seven terminal carbonyl ligands, three bridging diphenylphosphido ligands which bridge each of the RuRu bonds, and the hydride ligand which bridges one RuRu bond. Complex IV was also shown to give V upon photolysis and is thus an intermediate in the photoinduced formation of V from I.     

Cluster-containing carbon-rich molecules: Reactions of ruthenium cluster carbonyls with {Au(PR3)}2(μ-CCCC) (R = Ph, tol)

Complexes containing C₄ ligands attached to one or two AuRu₃ clusters by conventional σ, 2π interactions have been obtained from reactions between (R₃P)AuC≡CC≡CAu(PR₃) (R = Ph, tol) or Au(C≡CC≡CH){P(tol)₃} and either Ru₃(CO)₁₂, Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ or Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₁₀. The X-ray determined structures of {(R₃P)AuRu₃(CO)₉}₂(μ₃,η²:μ₃,η²-C₂C₂) [R = Ph (1) (three solvates), tol (2)], AuRu₃{μ₃,η²-C₂C≡CAu(PPh₃)}(CO)₉(PPh₃) (3) and {(Ph₃P)AuRu₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (μ₃,η²:μ₃,η²-C₂C₂){Ru₃(μ-H)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (4) are reported.     

Coordination chemistry of the [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] metalloligand with π-hydrocarbon derivatives of d ruthenium(II), osmium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III)

The reactivity of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards [RuCl₂(η⁶-arene)]₂ (arene=C₆H₆, C₆Me₆, p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ=p-cymene), [OsCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)]₂ and [MCl₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) have been probed using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. In all cases, dicationic products of the type [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄ML]²⁺ (L=π-hydrocarbon ligand) are observed, and a number of complexes have been prepared on the synthetic scale, isolated as their BPh₄⁻ or PF₆⁻ salts, and fully characterised. A single-crystal X-ray structure determination on the Ru p-cymene derivative confirms the presence of a pseudo-five-coordinate Ru centre. This resists addition of small donor ligands such as CO and pyridine. The reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with RuClCp(PPh₃)₂ (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅) gives [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄RuCp]⁺. In addition, the reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with the related carbonyl complex [RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂, monitored by electrospray mass spectrometry, gives [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Ru(CO)₃Cl]⁺.     

Chalcogen-capped ruthenium carbonyl clusters derived from diphosphazane mono- and dichalcogenides of the type X2P(E)N(R)PX2 and X2P(E)N(R)P(E)X2 (E = S or Se)

Reactions of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with diphosphazane monoselenides Ph₂PN(R)P(Se)Ph₂ [R = (S)-∗CHMePh (L⁴), R = CHMe₂ (L⁵)] yield mainly the selenium bicapped tetraruthenium clusters [Ru₄(μ₄-Se)₂(μ-CO)(CO)₈{μ-P,P-Ph₂PN(R)PPh₂}] (1, 3). The selenium monocapped triruthenium cluster [Ru₃(μ₃-Se)(μ_sb-CO)(CO)₇{κ²-P,P-Ph₂PN((S)-∗CHMePh)PPh₂}] (2) is obtained only in the case of L⁴. An analogous reaction of the diphosphazane monosulfide (PhO)₂PN(Me)P(S)(OPh)₂ (L⁶) that bears a strong π-acceptor phosphorus shows a different reactivity pattern to yield the triruthenium clusters, [Ru₃(μ₃-S)(μ₃-CO)(CO)₇{μ-P,P-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}] (9) (single sulfur transfer product) and [Ru₃(μ₃-S)₂(CO)₅{κ²-P,P-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}{μ-P,P-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}] (10) (double sulfur transfer product). The reactions of diphosphazane dichalcogenides with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ yield the chalcogen bicapped tetraruthenium clusters [Ru₄(μ₄-E)₂(μ-CO)(CO)₈{μ-P,P-Ph₂PN(R)PPh₂}] [R = (S)-∗CHMePh, E = S (6); R = CHMe₂, E = S (7); R = CHMe₂, E = Se (3)]. Such a tetraruthenium cluster [Ru₄(μ₄-S)₂(μ- CO)(CO)₈{μ-P,P-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}] (11) is also obtained in small quantities during crystallization of cluster 9. The dynamic behavior of cluster 10 in solution is probed by NMR studies. The structural data for clusters 7, 9, 10 and 11 are compared and discussed.     

Dppm-substituted ruthenium clusters with capping sulfido and selenido ligands derived from thiourea, tetramethylthiourea and elemental selenium

Treatment of [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-dppm)] (4) [dppm = bis(diphenylphosphido)methane] with tetramethylthiourea at 66 °C gave the previously reported dihydrido triruthenium cluster [Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ₃-S)(CO)₇(μ-dppm)] (5) and the new compounds [Ru₃(μ₃-S)₂(CO)₇(μ-dppm)] (6), [Ru₃(μ₃-S)(CO)₇(μ₃-CO)(μ-dppm)] (7) and [Ru₃(μ₃-S){η¹-C(NMe₂)₂}(CO)₆(μ₃-CO)(μ-dppm)] (8) in 6%, 10%, 32% and 9% yields, respectively. Treatment of 4 with thiourea at the same temperature gave 5 and 7 in 30% and 10% yields, respectively. Compound 7 reacts further with tetramethylthiourea at 66 °C to yield 6 (30%) and a new compound [Ru₃(μ₃-S)₂{η¹-C(NMe₂)₂}(CO)₆(μ-dppm)] (9) (8%). Thermolysis of 8 in refluxing THF yields 7 in 55% yield. The reaction of 4 with selenium at 66 °C yields the new compounds [Ru₃(μ₃-Se)(CO)₇(μ₃-CO)(μ-dppm)] (10) and [Ru₃(μ₃-Se)(μ₃-η³-PhPCH₂PPh(C₆H₄)}(CO)₆(μ-CO)] (11) and the known compounds [Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ₃-Se)(CO)₇(μ-dppm)] (12) and [Ru₄(μ₃-Se)₄(CO)₁₀(μ-dppm)] (13) in 29%, 5%, 2% and 5% yields, respectively. Treatment of 10 with tetramethylthiourea at 66 °C gives the mixed sulfur-selenium compounds [Ru₃(μ₃-S)(μ₃-Se)(CO)₇(μ-dppm)] (14) and [Ru₃(μ₃-S)(μ₃-Se){η¹-C(NMe₂)₂}(CO)₆(μ-dppm)] (15) in 38% and 10% yields, respectively. The single-crystal XRD structures of 6, 7, 8, 10, 14 and 15 are reported.     

Unusual tetra- and penta-ruthenium complexes from linking of ethylidyne and vinylidene ligands

The complexes [Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-CO)(μ-CMe)(η-C₅H₅)₂]^? and [Ru₂CO₂(μ-CO)(μ-CCH₂)(η-C₅H₅)₂] react together to give [{Ru₂CO)₃(η-C₅H₅)₂}₂(μ-CMeCHCH)]⁺ and [{Ru₃(CO)₃(η-C₅H₅)₃}(μ-CCH₂CHC){Ru₂(CO)₃(η-C₅H₅)₂}], each characterised by X-ray diffraction. The former results from ethylidyne-vinylidene linking followed by an alkylidyne to vinyl rearrangement.     

Studies on the reactivity of the clusters [Ru3(CO)8(μ-H)2(μ-PR2)2] (R=But,Cy) towards phosphine ligands

The reaction behavior of the 48e-clusters [Ru₃(CO)₈(μ-H)₂(μ-PR₂)₂] (R=Bu^t, 1a; R=Cy, 1b) towards phosphine ligands has been studied. Whereas 1a reacts spontaneously with many phosphines at room temperature, a lack of reactivity for 1b under similar conditions is observed. Thus 1a reacts with dppm (Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) to the known 46e-cluster [Ru₃(μ-CO)(CO)₄(μ₃-H)(μ-H)(μ-PBu^t₂)₂(μ-dppm)] (2a), and the reaction of 1a with dppe (Ph₂PC₂H₄PPh₂) yields analogously [Ru₃(μ-CO)(CO)₄(μ₃-H)(μ-H)(μ-PBu^t₂)₂(μ-dppe)] (3). Reactions of 1a with dmpm (Me₂PCH₂PMe₂), dmpe (Me₂PC₂H₄PMe₂) and PBuⁿ₃, respectively, gave in each case a mixture of products which could not be characterized. Contrary to the reaction behavior at room temperature, 1b reacts with phosphines in THF under reflux yielding the novel complexes [Ru₃(CO)₆(μ-H)₂(μ-PCy₂)₂L₂] (L=Cy₂PH, 4a; L=Bu^t₂PH, 4b; L=Ph₂PH, 4c; L=P(OEt)₃, 4d). 4a is also obtained directly by the reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with an excess of Cy₂PH. The molecular structure of 4a has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray analysis. Moreover, the thermolysis of 1a in octane affords [Ru₃(CO)₈(μ-H)₂(μ₃-PBu^t)(Bu^t₂PH)] (6) as the main product, and the thermolysis of [Ru₃(CO)₉(Bu^t₂PH)(μ-dppm)] (7) yields 2a to a considerable extent. Treatment of 1a with carbon tetrachloride leads to [Ru₃(CO)₇(μ-H)(μ-PBu^t₂)₂(μ-Cl)] (8) as the main product.