The reaction of CpWMe(CO)3 with LiEt3BH. Formation of the formyl complex trans-[CpWMe(CHO)(CO)2]− and the (hydrido)(acyl) complex trans-[CpWH(COMe)(CO)2]−

Addition of LiEt₃BH to CpWMe(CO)₃ results in consecutive formation of trans-[CpWMe(CHO)(CO)₂]⁻ (some of which exists in solution as two rotamers of a BEt₃ adduct) and trans[CpWH(COMe)(CO)₂]⁻. Reaction of the latter with CHI₃ and subsequent treatment of the product with either (i) Me₃SiCl, followed by filtration through SiO₂ or (ii) Me₃OBF₄ gives hydroxy- or methoxy-carbenes CpWI[C(OR)Me](CO)₂ (R H or Me), respectively.     

Synthesis and Structure of the Complex [Mo3(μ3-S)(μ2-S2)3(Et2NCS2)3 +Br-

Tri-₂-disulfido-₃-thiotris(diethyldithiocarbamato)-S,S'-triangle-trimolybdenum bromide [Mo₃(₃-S)(₂-S₂)₃(Et₂NCS₂)₃ ⁺Br^- was obtained and characterized.     

Stable Noble Gas Compounds Based on Superelectrophilic Anions [B12(BO)11]− and [B12(OBO)11]−

Superelectrophilic monoanions [B₁₂(BO)₁₁]⁻ and [B₁₂(OBO)₁₁]⁻, generated from stable dianions [B₁₂(BO)₁₂]²⁻ and [B₁₂(OBO)₁₂]²⁻, show great potential for binding with noble gases (Ngs). The binding energies, quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), natural population analysis (NPA), energy decomposition analysis (EDA), and electron localization function (ELF) were carried out to understand the B−Ng bond in [B₁₂(BO)₁₁Ng]⁻ and [B₁₂(OBO)₁₁Ng]⁻. The calculated results reveal that heavier noble gases (Ar, Kr, and Xe) bind covalently with both [B₁₂(BO)₁₁]⁻ and [B₁₂(OBO)₁₁]⁻ with large binding energies, making them potentially feasible to be synthesized. Only [B₁₂(OBO)₁₁]⁻ could form a covalent bond with helium or neon but the small binding energy of [B₁₂(OBO)₁₁He]⁻ may pose a challenge for its experimental detection.     

From Weakly Coordinating to Non‐Coordinating Anions? A Simple Preparation of the Silver Salt of the Least Coordinating Anion and Its Application To Determine the Ground State Structure of the Ag(η2‐P4)2+ Cation

The unexpected but facile preparation of the silver salt of the least coordinating [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion (R=C(CF₃)₃) by reaction of Ag[Al(OR)₄] with one equivalent of PCl₃ is described. The mechanism of the formation of Ag[(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃] is explained based on the available experimental data as well as on quantum chemical calculations with the inclusion of entropy and COSMO solvation enthalpies. The crystal structures of (RO)₃Al←OC₄H₈, Cs⁺[(RO)₂(Me)Al‐F‐Al(Me)(OR)₂]^?, Ag(CH₂Cl₂)₃⁺[(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? and Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺[(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? are described. From the collected data it will be shown that the [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion is the least coordinating anion currently known. With respect to the fluoride ion affinity of two parent Lewis acids Al(OR)₃ of 685 kJ mol^?1, the ligand affinity (441 kJ mol^?1), the proton and copper decomposition reactions (?983 and ?297 kJ mol^?1) as well as HOMO level and HOMO–LUMO gap and in comparison with [Sb₄F₂₁]^?, [Sb(OTeF₅)₆]^?, [Al(OR)₄]^? as well as [B(R^F)₄]^? (R^F=CF₃ or C₆F₅) the [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion is among the best weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) according to each value. In contrast to most of the other cited anions, the [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃] anion is available by a simple preparation in conventional inorganic laboratories. The least coordinating character of this anion was employed to clarify the question of the ground state geometry of the Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺ cation (D_2h, D₂ or D_2d?). In agreement with computational data and NMR spectra it could be shown that the rotation along the Ag‐(P‐P‐centroid) vector has no barrier and that the structure adopted in the solid state depends on packing effects which lead to an almost D_2h symmetric Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺ cation (0 to 10.6° torsion) for the more symmetrical [Al(OR)₄]^? anion, but to a D₂ symmetric Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺ cation with a 44° twist angle of the two AgP₂ planes for the less symmetrical [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion. This implies that silver back bonding, suggested by quantum chemical population analyses to be of importance, is only weak.     

Further studies of the reactions of PtRu5(μ6-C)(CO)16 with alkynes: The preparation and structural characterizations of PtRu5(CO)13(μ-EtC2Et)(μ3-EtC2Et)(μ5-C) and Pt2Ru6(CO)17(μ-η5-Et4C5)(μ3-EtC2Et) (μ6-C)

The reaction of PtRu₅(CO)₁₆(μ₆-C),1 with 3-hexyne in the presence of UV irradiation produced two new electron-rich platinum-ruthenium cluster complexes PtRu₅(CO)₁₃(μ-EtC₂Et)(μ₃-EtC₂Et)(μ₅-C),2 (20% yield) and Pt₂Ru₆(CO)₁₇(μ-η⁵-Et₄C₅)(μ₃-EtC₂Et) (μ₆-C),3 (7% yield). Both compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compound2 contains of a platinum capped square pyramidal cluster of five ruthenium atoms with the carbido ligand located in the center of the square pyramid. A EtC₂Et ligand bridges one of the PtRu₂ triangles and the Ru-Pt bond between the apical ruthenium atom and the platinum cap. The structure of compound3 consists of an octahedral PtRu₅ cluster with an interstitial carbido ligand and a platinum atom capping one of the PtRu₂ triangles. There is an additional Ru(CO)₂ group extending from the platinum atom in the PtRu₅ cluster that contains a metallated tetraethylcyclopentadienyl ligand that bridges to the platinum capping group. There is also a EtC₂Et ligand bridging one of the PtRu₂ triangular faces to the capping platinum atom. Compounds2 and3 both contain two valence electrons more than the number predicted by conventional electron counting theories, and both also possess unusually long metal-metal bonds that may be related to these anomalous electron configurations. Crystal data for2, space group Pna2₁,a=19.951(3) Å,b=9.905(2) Å,c=17.180(2) Å,Z=2, 1844 reflections,R=0.036; for3, space group Pna2₁,α=13.339(1) Å,b=14.671(2) Å,c=11.748(2) Å, α=100.18(1)°, β=95.79(1)°, γ=83.671(9)°,Z=2, 3127 reflections,R=0.026.     

Synthesis and reactions of phosphido-bridged μ3-alkylidyne clusters; X-ray crystal structures of the complexes [Co2W(μ-PEt2)3(CO)5(η-C5H5)], [Co2W{μ3-C(R)C(Et)C(Et)C(O)}(μ-CO)(CO)4(PPh2{C(Et)CHEt})(η-C5H5)], and [CoW{μ-C(R)C(Et)C(Et)C(OH)}(CO)4(η-C5H5)] (R = C6H4Me-4)

Reactions of the phosphido-bridged complexes [Co₂W(μ-H)(μ₃-CC₆H₄Me-4)(μ-PR₂)(CO)₆(η-C₅H₅)] (R = Ph or Et) with PR₂H (R = Ph or Et) or RCCR (R = Me or Et) are dominated by processes involving facile PC, CC and CH bond formation. The X-ray structures of the complexes [Co₂W(μ-PEt₂)₃(CO)₅(η-C₅H₅)], [Co₂W{μ₃-C(R)C(Et)C(Et)C(O)}(μ-CO)(CO)₄(PPh₂{C(Et)CHEt})(η-C₅H₅)], and [CoW{μ-C(R)C(Et)C(Et)C(OH)}(CO)₄(η-C₅H₅)] (R = C₆H₄Me-4) have been determined.     

Bi2(IO3)(IO6): First combination of [IO3]− and [IO6]5− anions in three-dimensional framework

A new bismuth (III) iodate periodate, Bi₂(IO₃)(IO₆) was obtained from hydrothermal reactions using Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O, and H₅IO₆ as starting materials. Bi₂(IO₃)(IO₆) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (No. 14) with lattice parameters ɑ = 8.1119(6), b = 5.4746(4), c = 16.357(1) Å, β = 99.187(2)°, V = 717.07(9) ų, Z = 4. The structure of Bi₂(IO₃)(IO₆) features a three-dimensional framework which is a combination of [Bi(1)O₅] tetragonal pyramids, [Bi(2)O₈] bicapped trigonal prisms and [IO₃]⁻ and [IO₆]⁵⁻ anions. Thermal analysis shows that the compound is thermally stable up to about 350 °C. The solid state UV-vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectrum indicates that Bi₂(IO₃)(IO₆) is a semiconductor with a band gap of 2.76 eV.     

Iridium Cluster Chemistry: The Synthesis and the Solid State Structures of [HIr5(CO)12]2− and [HIr4(CO)10PPh3]−

The cluster [HIr₅(CO)₁₂]^2- (1) was prepared by condensation of [HIr₄(CO)₁₁]^- and [Ir(CO)₄]^- (molar ratio 1:1) in refluxing THF, with almost quantitative yields. Its solid state structure was determined by X-ray diffraction at low temperature on the salt [PPh₃CH₂Ph]₂[HIr₅(CO)₁₂]. The metal atoms define a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement. The hydride ligand was located indirectly as a bridge between apical and equatorial metal atoms. The phosphine-substituted cluster [HIr₄(CO)₁₀PPh₃]^- (2) was synthetized by CO displacement on [HIr₄(CO)₁₁]^-, in THF at room temperature. This reaction is selective, with no traces of polysubstitution products. In the solid state, the hydride and the triphenylphosphine are axially bound on basal iridium atoms; the terminal hydrogen atom was directly located by X-ray analysis at a Ir–H distance of 1.57(9) Å. On the contrary, two isomers are present in THF solution, and they interconvert rapidly at room temperature, as shown by¹H and ³¹P NMR spectra.     

Solution and solid state studies with the bis-oxalato building block [Cr(pyim)(C2O4)2]− [pyim = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole]

The preparation, X-ray structure, and variable temperature magnetic study of the new compound {Ba(H₂O)_3/2[Cr(pyim)(C₂O₄)₂]₂}_n·9/2nH₂O (1) [pyim = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole and C₂O₄^2? = dianion of oxalic acid], together with the potentiometric and spectrophotometric studies of the protonation/deprotonation equilibria of the pyim ligand and the ternary complex [Cr(pyim)(C₂O₄)₂]^?, are reported herein. The crystal structure of 1 consists of neutral chains, with diamond-shaped units sharing barium(II), with the two other corners occupied by chromium(III). The two metal centers are connected through bis(bidentate) oxalate. Very weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the chromium(III) ions occur in 1. The values of the protonation constants of the imidazole and pyridyl fragments of pyim as well as the acidity constant of the coordinated pyim in [Cr(pyim)(C₂O₄)₂]^? are determined for the first time by potentiometry and UV–Vis spectroscopy in aqueous solution (25?°C and 0.15 M NaNO₃ as ionic strength).     

Origin of the different reactivity of the high-valent coinage-metal complexes [RCuiiiMe3]− and [RAgiiiMe3]− (R=allyl)**

High-valent tetraalkylcuprates(iii ) and -argentates(iii ) are key intermediates of copper- and silver-mediated C−C coupling reactions. Here, we investigate the previously reported contrasting reactivity of [RMⁱⁱⁱ Me₃]⁻ complexes (M=Cu, Ag and R=allyl) with energy-dependent collision-induced dissociation experiments, advanced quantum-chemical calculations and kinetic computations. The gas-phase fragmentation experiments confirmed the preferred formation of the [RCuMe]⁻ anion upon collisional activation of the cuprate(iii ) species, consistent with a homo-coupling reaction, whereas the silver analogue primarily yielded [AgMe₂]⁻, consistent with a cross-coupling reaction. For both complexes, density functional theory calculations identified one mechanism for homo coupling and four different ones for cross coupling. Of these pathways, an unprecedented concerted outer-sphere cross coupling is of particular interest, because it can explain the formation of [AgMe₂]⁻ from the argentate(iii ) species. Remarkably, the different C−C coupling propensities of the two [RMⁱⁱⁱ Me₃]⁻ complexes become only apparent when properly accounting for the multi-configurational character of the wave function for the key transition state of [RAgMe₃]⁻. Backed by the obtained detailed mechanistic insight for the gas-phase reactions, we propose that the previously observed cross-coupling reaction of the silver complex in solution proceeds via the outer-sphere mechanism.     

Mixed Ruthenium–Iridium Carbonyl Cluster Complexes. Synthesis of the Anions [Ru3Ir2(CO)14]2− and [Ru3Ir2(CO)14H]− and Crystal Structures of Their [tetraphenylphosphonium]+ Salts

The reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and [Ir(CO)₄]^- (as [PPh₄]⁺ or [N(PPh₃)₂]⁺ salts) yields the anion [Ru₃Ir₂(CO)₁₄]^2- (1) which has been found to derive from the intermediate [Ru₃Ir(CO)₁₃]^- anion. Treatment of (1) with acids gives the conjugated hydrido species [Ru₃Ir₂(CO)₁₄H]^- (2). The two anions were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction of their [PPh₄]⁺ salts. [PPh₄]₂[Ru₃Ir₂(CO)₁₄]: space group C2/c, Z=4, a=22.121(5) Å, b=10.546(5) Å, c=25.931(5) Å, =103.870(5)°, R=0.052 and R_w=0.130 for 3128 independent reflections with I>2(I ). [PPh₄][Ru₃Ir₂(CO)₁₄H]: space group P2₁/c, Z=8, a=22.833(5) Å, b=13.893(5) Å, c=25.810(5) Å, =92.650(5)°, R=0.070 and R_w=0.150 for 12141 independent reflections with I>2(I). Both anions 1 and 2 have a trigonal bipyramidal metal frame. There are two independent anions in the asymmetric unit of 2 differing in their ligand stereochemistry.     

Fourier-transform Raman and infrared spectra and normal coordinate analysis of (C6H5)2BiCl and [N(CH3)4]+[(C6H5)2BiCl2]−

The vibrational properties of the diphenylbismuth(III) chloride compounds (C₆H₅)₂BiCl and [N(CH₃)₄]⁺[(C₆H₅)₂BiCl₂]⁻ have been investigated. A comprehensive assignment of the fundamental modes in the measured Fourier-transform Raman and infrared spectra has been carried out. Normal coordinate calculations of these compounds based on new X-ray crystal structure data have been performed to identify the BiCl stretching and bending vibrations of both compounds. For [N(CH₃)₄]⁺[(C₆H₅)₂BiCl₂]⁻ in the solid state, the ν_s(BiCl₂) and ν_as(BiCl₂) occur at 215 cm⁻ (Raman) and 237 cm⁻ (Raman), respectively, in good agreement with the calculated wavenumbers. The force constant calculation yields a BiCl stretching force constant of 0.89 × 10² N m⁻¹.     

Preparation and NMR spectroscopy of [Hg{(μ-PEt2)Cr(CO)5}3]−

The new tetranuclear phosphido-bridged compound [Hg{(μ-PEt₂)Cr(CO)₅}₃]⁻ has been obtained by reaction of [Hg{(μ-PEt₂)Cr(CO)₅}₂] with Li[Cr(CO)₅PEt₂]. The coordination of [Cr(CO)₅PEt₂]⁻ results in an unprecedented increase in J(Hg,P), whereas an increase in the number of phosphorus ligands coordinated to mercury is usually accompanied by a decrease in the magnitude of J(Hg,P). This anomaly is interpreted in terms of CrHg donor acceptor interactions.     

Coordination behavior of 1,4-diallylpiperazinium and 1-allyloxybenzotriazole toward silver(I) in the crystalline π-complexes [Ag2(C4H8N2(C3H5)2(H+)2)(H2O)2(NO3)2](NO3)2 and [Ag(C6H4N3(OC3H5)(NO3))]

Reactions of a solution of AgNO₃ in aqueous methanol with solutions of 1,4-diallylpiperazine (acidified with HNO₃ to pH = 4) and 1-allyloxybenzotriazole in ethanol gave the crystalline silver(I) π-complexes [Ag₂(C₄H₈N₂(C₃H₅)₂(H⁺)₂)(H₂O)₂(NO₃)₂](NO₃)₂ (I) and [Ag(C₆H₄N₃(OC₃H₅)(NO₃))] (II). Their crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystals of complexes I and II are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c; for I: a = 7.053(3)Å, b = 9.389(3)Å, c = 15.488(4)Å, β = 91.60°, V = 1025.3(6)ų, Z = 4; for II: a = 10.650(4)Å, b = 15.062(5)Å, c = 7.412(4)Å, β = 104.20(3)°, V = 1152.6(8)ų, Z = 4. In both structures, the organic components act as bidentate ligands forming with AgNO₃ 34- and 14-membered topological rings, respectively. In complex I, the nearly tetrahedral environment of the Ag(I) atom is made up of the olefinic C=C bond, the O atoms of the nitrate anions, and the water molecule. 1-Allyloxybenzotriazole in structure II causes the deformation of the coordination polyhedron of Ag into a trigonal pyramid via inclusion of the ligand N atom in its coordination sphere. The topological units of the complexes form infinite polymer layers linked by anionic NO ₃ ^? bridges. In structure I, these layers are united through a system of hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional framework.     

Tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanol Derivatives and the Lewis Amphoteric Tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanolate Anion, [Si(C2F5)3O]−

While alkyl-substituted siloxanes are widely known, virtually nothing is known about perfluoroalkyl siloxanes and their congener species, the silanols and silanolates. We recently reported on the tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanide ion, [Si(C₂F₅)₃]⁻, which features Lewis amphoteric character deriving from the pentafluoroethyl substituents and their strong electron-withdrawing properties. Transferring this knowledge, we investigated the Lewis amphoteric behavior of the tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanolate, [Si(C₂F₅)₃O]⁻. In order to examine such Lewis amphoteric behavior, we first developed a strategy for the synthesis of the corresponding silanol Si(C₂F₅)₃OH, which readily condenses at room temperature to the hexakis(pentafluoroethyl)disiloxane, (C₂F₅)₃SiOSi(C₂F₅)₃. Deprotonation of Si(C₂F₅)₃OH employing a sterically demanding phosphazene base allows the characterization of the first example of a dimeric triorganosilanolate: the dianionic hexakis(pentafluoroethyl)disilanolate, [{Si(C₂F₅)₃O}₂]²⁻, implies Lewis amphoteric character of the monomeric [Si(C₂F₅)₃O]⁻ anion.     

K5[InSe4] and K12[InS4]2(S): New Alkali Chalcogenido Indates with [InQ4]5– ortho Anions

The new chalcogenido ortho indates(III) K₅[InSe₄] and K₁₂[InS₄]₂(S) were synthesized from melts of the elements (Se) [or with S/In₂S₃ as chalcogen source] at maximum temperatures of 700/800 °C. The two potassium salts, which were characterized by means of X-ray single crystal structure analysis, contain isolated tetrahedral ortho anions [InQ₄]^5–. K₅[InSe₄] crystallizes in a new structure type [monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 2014.2(2), b = 1553.1(2), c = 1661.1(2) pm, β = 94.716(2)°, Z = 16, R₁ = 0.0317]. The complex structure contains two crystallographically different [InSe₄]^5– tetrahedra [d(In ··· Se) = 254.3–263.6 pm], which are arranged into 4⁴ [In(1), A ] and 3².4.3.4 [In(2), B ] nets. These nets are |: ABA ' B ':| stacked along the a axis. The 11 crystallographically independent K⁺ ions are coordinated by four (1×), five (3×) and six (7×) selenido anions [d(K–Se) = 309–415 pm]. The crystal structure and the calculated electronic structure of the pure ortho indate K₅[InSe₄] are compared with the known “double salts” K₉[InSe₄]₂(Se) and K₉[InSe₄](Se₂)(Se), which exhibit selenide (and diselenide) anions in addition to the ortho metallate. Similarly, the new sulfido indate K₁₁[InS₄]₂(S) contains sulfide anions besides the indate tetrahedra. In the chiral structure (K₆[InTe₄](Cl)-type, hexagonal, space group P6₃mc, a = 1026.22(10), c = 752.34(7) pm, Z = 2, R1 = 0.0332) layers of similarly oriented [InS₄] tetrahedra [d(In ··· Se) = 246.6/248.1 pm] are hexagonally |: AB :| stacked along one threefold axis. The additional sulfide anions are centered in K⁺ octahedra. In contrast to the isotypic chloride, only every second polyhedron within the columns of face-sharing K₆ octahedra is statistically occupied by a sulfide ion. Both of the two different K positions exhibit a sixfold coordination by sulfide anions, with K–S distances between 307.1 and 382.1 pm. In the two title compounds, each of the [InQ₄] tetrahedra is overall enclosed by 18 potassium cations. The crystal chemistry of the new indates is discussed and compared with that of the (yet comparatively low number) of alkali chalcogenido metallates(III) of Fe, Al and Ga containing isolated metallate tetrahedra.     

Finally Stable and Homoleptic: Isolation and Characterization of {Cu[Fe(CO)5]2}+ Stabilized with Perfluoroalkoxyaluminate Anion, [Al(OC(CF3)3)4]−

Developments in the chemistry of weakly coordinating anions enabled isolation of numerous unique metal complexes with unusual ligands. An important example is the family of metal-Fe(CO)₅ complexes. In the current paper we present synthesis and thorough characterization of the first truly homoleptic {Cu[Fe(CO)₅]₂}⁺ cation obtained as a salt of weakly coordinating [Al(OR^F)₄]⁻ (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) anion. TGA/DSC/MS study show that its decomposition becomes noticeable only above 110 °C, thus it can be stored as powder in air-free conditions for months. The crystal structure of {Cu[Fe(CO)₅]₂}⁺ shows strong asymmetry of the cation and very short Cu-CO bonds in comparison to analogous {M[Fe(CO)₅]₂}⁺ where M=Ag or Au. Characterization is complemented with analysis of vibrational spectra and extensive DFT calculations which give insight into the energetics of Cu⁺-Fe(CO)₅ systems. Our results show that {Cu[Fe(CO)₅]₂}⁺ is homoleptic only as salt of [Al(OR^F)₄]⁻. Furthermore, in the presence of additional, even weakly basic ligands, the Cu⁺-Fe(CO)₅ bond strength decreases what may contribute to the complex's instability in liquid SO₂ or in the presence of [SbF₆]⁻. These conclusions point at the key role of selection of proper anion and solvent in stabilization of these types of complexes.     

Triphospha-Ferrocenes as Ligands. Crystal Structures of [Fe(η5-C5Me5)(η5-C2 TBu2P3)M(CO)5)], (M= Cr,MO, W) and the Novel ruthenium and Nickel Complexes [Fe(η5-C5Me5) (η5-C2 TBu2P3)Ru3(CO)9] and [Fe(η5-C5Me5)(η5-C2 tBu2P3)Ni(Co)2]2

Abstract

Syntheses and structures of penta- and hexaphosphorus analogues of ferrocene have been described recently¹. Unlike their simple ferrocene analogues, these complexes have further ligating potential towards other transition metal centres by virtue of the availability of the ring phosphorus lone-pair electrons that are not involved in the η⁵-coordination. We now describe the first examples of coordination compounds of the triphospha-ferrocene [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅) (η⁵-C₂ ^tBu₂P₃]. In the ruthenium complex [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁵-C₂ ^tBu₂P₃) Ru₃(CO)₉] ² two adjacent phosphorus atoms of the η⁵-C₂ ^tBu₂P₃ ring are interlinked by a ruthenium carbonyl cluster in which all three ruthenium atoms interact with the phosphorus atoms. The tetrametallic nickel complex [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁵-C₂ ^tBu₂P₃)Ni(CO)₂]₂ ³ represents the first example of intermolecular interlinkage of two phospha-ferrocene systems by two metal centres.