187Os subspectra in 1H and 31P{1H} spectra of triosmium carbonyl clusters

A survey of the use of ¹⁸⁷Os satellite subspectra in ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} spectra of triosmium carbonyl clusters is reported. By varying evolution delays in HMQC spectra of [Os₃(µ‐H)₂(CO)₁₀] we have selectively extracted the values for ¹J(Os,H) and ²J(Os,H), respectively. An analysis of the principal modes of phosphine coordination in triosmium clusters demonstrates that ³¹P{¹H}¹⁸⁷Os satellite subspectra are diagnostic for equatorial coordination [¹J(Os,P) = 211–223 Hz] or for axial coordination (perpendicular to the plane of the cluster) [¹J(Os,P) ≈ 147 Hz]. Chelating and bridging diphosphines yield ¹⁸⁷Os satellite subspectra which are the sum of A₂X and AA′X spin systems. If significant P–P coupling is present, the AA′X component requires simulation. All observed ²J(Os,P) trans‐equatorial couplings fall in the range 38–65 Hz. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.