Formation of Isomeric Tetrathiotungstate Clusters [{Cp*Ru(CO)}2(WS4){W(CO)4}] by the Reaction of [Cp*2Ru2S4] with [W(CO)3(MeCN)3]

Thermal and photochemical interconversion occurs between the isomeric pair of tetrathiotungstate [WS₄]²⁻ clusters 1 and 2 , which were formed by thermolysis of [Cp^*₂Ru₂S₄] and [W(CO)₃(MeCN)₃] [Eq. (1)] and then structurally characterized. During synthesis, a dramatic redistribution of ligands between the Ru and W atoms takes place without the loss of any CO and S ligands.