The preparation and structural characterization of ruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes containing 3,3 dimethylthietane ligands

The reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with 3,3 dimethylthietane (DMT) at 68°C yielded the new tetraruthenium cluster complex Ru₄(CO)₁₂(-SCH₂CMe₂CH₂)₂,1 in 23% yield. Compound1 was characterized crystallographically and was shown to consist of a puckered square of four ruthenium atoms with two DMT ligands bridging opposite sides of the cluster via the sulfur atoms. Compound1 reacts with CO (98°C/1 atm) to yield the new tetraruthenium complex Ru₄(CO)₁₃ (-SCH₂CMe₂CH₂),2 in 69% yield. Compound2 consists of a butterfly tetrahedral cluster of four ruthenium atoms with a DMT ligand bridging the wing-tip metal atoms. Addition of DMT to2 regenerates1 in 67% yield. Crystal data—1: space group =,a=17.490(2) Å,b=18.899(3) Å,c=9.781(1) Å, =93.06(1)°, =91.06(1)°, =105.239(9)°,Z=4, 5799 reflections,R=0.026; for2: space group = P2₁/n,a=15.430(3) Å,b=18.285(4) Å,c=9.850(2) Å, =90.05(2)°,Z=4, 2111 reflections,R=0.036.