Synthesis and structure of sulfur and selenium capped dihydride triruthenium clusters [Ru3(CO)7(μ-H)2(μ-dppm)(μ3-E)] (E = S, Se)

Reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-dppm)] (1) with H₂S at 66 °C affords high yields of the sulfur-capped dihydride [Ru₃(CO)₇(μ-H)₂(μ-dppm)(μ₃-S)] (2), formed by oxidative-addition of both hydrogen-sulfur bonds. Hydrogenation of [Ru₃(CO)₇(μ-dppm)(μ₃-CO)(μ₃-S)] (3) at 110 °C also gives 2 in similar yields, while hydrogenation of [Ru₃(CO)₇(μ-dppm)(μ₃-CO)(μ₃-Se)] (4) affords [Ru₃(CO)₇(μ-H)₂(μ-dppm)(μ₃-Se)] (5) in 85% yield. The molecular structures of 2 and 5 reveal that the diphosphine and one hydride simultaneously bridge the same ruthenium-ruthenium edge with the second hydride spanning one of the non-bridged edges. Both 2 and 5 are fluxional at room temperature being attributed to hydride migration between the non-bridged edges. Addition of HBF₄ to 2 affords the cationic trihydride [Ru₃(CO)₇(μ-H)₃(μ-dppm)(μ₃-S)][BF₄] (6) in which the hydrides are non-fluxional due to the blocking of the free ruthenium-ruthenium edge.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of mesitylphosphinidene-capped ruthenium and osmium clusters

Thermal reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with PH₂Mes (Mes = mesityl) in refluxing toluene afforded mesitylphosphinidene-capped ruthenium carbonyl clusters, [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ-H)₂(μ₃-PMes)] (1), [Ru₃(CO)₈(PH₂Mes)(μ-H)₂(μ₃-PMes)] (2), [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ₃-PMes)₂] (3), [Ru₄(CO)₁₀(μ-CO)(μ₄-PMes)₂] (4), and [Ru₅(CO)₁₀H₂(μ₄-PMes)(μ₃-PMes)₂] (5). All products were fully characterized and structurally confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Complexes 2-4 were also obtained in high yields by stepwise reaction starting from 1. Fluxional behavior of carbonyl groups was observed in case of 4. Complex 5 reveals a new type of skeletal structure, bicapped-octahedron having μ₃- and μ₄-phosphinidene ligands at the capping positions. Similar reaction of [Os₃(CO)₁₂] with PH₂Mes yielded a phosphido-bridged osmium cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-PHMes)] (6) and a phosphinidene-capped cluster [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-H)₂(μ₃-PMes)] (7).     

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.     

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.     

Ruthenium-tin complexes from the reaction of HSnPh3 with Ru3(CO)10(NCMe)2 and their reactions with bis(tri-t-butylphosphine)platinum

The compounds Ru₃(CO)₉(SnPh₃)₂(NCMe)(μ-H)₂ (1), Ru₃(CO)₁₀(SnPh₃)₂(μ-H)₂ (2), Ru(CO)₄(SnPh₃)₂ (3) and Ru(CO)₄(SnPh₃)(H) (4) were obtained from the reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ with HSnPh₃ in hexane solvent. Compounds 1, 3 and the new compound Ru₃(CO)₇(SnPh₃)₃(NCMe)₂(μ-H)₃ (5) were obtained from reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ with HSnPh₃ in a CH₂Cl₂ and MeCN solvent mixture. Compound 2 and the new compound Ru₃(CO)₉(SnPh₃)₃(μ-H)₃ (6) were obtained from reactions of 1 and 5 with CO, respectively. Compounds 2 and 6 eliminated benzene when heated to yield Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-SnPh₂)₂ (7) and Ru₃(CO)₉(μ-SnPh₂)₃ (8) which contain bridging SnPh₂ ligands. Compound 7 was found to react with to yield the adduct, (9) in 59% yield by the addition of groups to two of the Ru-Sn bonds to the bridging SnPh₂ ligands. Fenske-Hall molecular orbital calculations were performed to provide an understanding of the metal-metal bonding in the clusters of 7 and 9. Compounds 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 9 were characterized structurally by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Reaction of the heteronuclear cluster RuOs3(μ-H)2(CO)13 with toluene

The heteronuclear cluster RuOs₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₃ (4) reacts with refluxing toluene to form the clusters Ru₂Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₆ (5) RuOs₃(CO)₉(μ-CO)₂(η⁶-C₆H₅Me) (6) and Ru₂Os₃(CO)₁₂(μ-CO)(η⁶-C₆H₅Me) (7). Cluster 5 exists as a mixture of five isomers. The inter-relationship among the clusters has also been investigated.     

Addition of primary phosphines to the unsaturated triosmium cluster [(μ-H)Os3(CO)8{Ph2PCH2P(Ph)C6H4}]: Synthesis of triosmium clusters bearing dppm, phosphide and phosphinidene ligands via P-H bond activation

Treatment of the electronically unsaturated cluster [(μ-H)Os₃(CO)₈{Ph₂PCH₂P(Ph)C₆H₄}] (1) with primary phosphines PPhH₂ and PCyH₂ gives the phosphido bridged compounds [(μ-H)Os₃(CO)₈(μ-PPhH)(μ-dppm)] (2) and [(μ-H)Os₃(CO)₈(μ-PCyH)(μ-dppm)] (3), respectively, by P-H bond activation of the phosphines and demetallation of the phenyl ring of the diphosphine ligand. Thermolysis of 2 and 3 in refluxing octane at 128 °C results in the formation of the phosphinidene compounds [(μ-H)₂Os₃(CO)₇(μ₃-PPh)(μ-dppm)] (4) and [(μ-H)₂Os₃(CO)₇(μ₃-PCy)(μ-dppm)] (5), respectively, by further P-H bond cleavage of the phosphido groups. All the compounds have been characterized by infrared, ¹H NMR, ³¹P{¹H} NMR and mass spectroscopic data together with single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for 4. Compound 4 consists of a triangular cluster of osmium atoms with a symmetrically capped phosphinidene ligand and a bridging dppm ligand.     

Synthesis of homo- and heteronuclear ruthenium-gold clusters with diphosphine and thiolato bridged ligands. Single crystal molecular structure of [Ru3(CO)10(μ-AuPPh3)(μ-SC5H4N)] and [Ru3(CO)8(μ-H)(μ-SC5H4N)(μ-dppe)]

The reaction between [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂] and [AuClPPh₃] gave compound [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-Cl)(μ-AuPPh₃)] (1) in quantitative yield under very mild conditions. The reaction of 1 with 4-mercaptopyridine (4-pyS) using ultrasonic reaction conditions gave the heteronuclear compound [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-AuPPh₃)(μ-SC₅H₄N)] (2) in moderate yield. There was no spectroscopic evidence that indicates the formation of the hydride isolobal analog in this reaction. The homonuclear cluster [Ru₃(CO)₈(μ-H)(μ-SC₅H₄N)(μ-dppe)] (3) was prepared by a selective reaction employing the ruthenium-diphosphine derivative [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-dppe)] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphine)ethane) with 4-pyS in THF solution. The isolobal analog to compound 3, compound [Ru₃(CO)₈(μ-AuPPh₃)(μ-SC₅H₄N)(μ-dppe)] (4) was synthesized by the reaction between compound 2 and dppe in refluxing dichloromethane. Compounds 1-4 were characterized in solution by spectroscopic methods and the molecular structure of compounds 2 and 3 in the solid state was obtained by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

The reaction of triosmium and -ruthenium clusters with bifunctional ligands

The reaction of [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-OH)], 1, or [Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCCH₃)₂], 2, with bifunctional ligands carrying -OH, -SH and -COOH groups affords, as the major product, clusters of the general formula [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-E^?E′H)] (E, E′ = O, S or COO). In some cases, a minor product with general formula [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ,μ-E^?E′)Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)] was also obtained. With Ru₃(CO)₁₂, 3b, only the first type of products is obtained. The structures of eight of the compounds have also been determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis of new heterometallic complexes by tin-sulfur bond cleavage of pySSnPh3 (pySH = pyridine-2-thiol) at triruthenium and triosmium centres

The ruthenium-tin complex, [Ru₂(CO)₄(SnPh₃)₂(μ-pyS)₂] (1), the main product of the oxidative-addition of pySSnPh₃ to Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing benzene, is [Ru(CO)₂(pyS)(SnPh₃)] synthon. It reacts with PPh₃ to give [Ru(CO)₂(SnPh₃)(PPh₃)(κ²-pyS)] (2) and further with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ or [Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂] to afford the butterfly clusters [MRu₃(CO)₁₂(SnPh₃)(μ₃-pyS)] (3, M=Ru; 4, M=Os). Direct addition of pySSnPh₃ to [Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂] at 70 °C gives [Os₃(CO)₉(SnPh₃)(μ₃-pyS)] (5) as the only bimetallic compound, while with unsaturated [Os₃(CO)₈{μ₃-PPh₂CH₂P(Ph)C₆H₄}(μ-H)] the previously reported [Os₃(CO)₈(μ-pyS)(μ-H)(μ-dppm)] (6) and the new bimetallic cluster [Os₃(CO)₇(SnPh₃){μ-Ph₂PCH₂P(Ph)C₆H₄}(μ-pyS)[(μ-H)] (7) are formed at 110 °C. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and characterization of triosmium and triruthenium pyrene clusters

The reaction between 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde (C₁₆H₉CHO) and the labile triosmium cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀(CH₃CN)₂] gives rise to the formation of two new compounds by competitive oxidative addition between the aldehydic group and an arene C-H bond, to afford the acyl complex [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-COC₁₆H₉)] (1) and the compound [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H) (C₁₆H₈CHO)] (2), respectively. Thermolysis of [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-C₁₆H₉CO)] (1) in n-octane affords two new complexes in good yields, [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-H)₂(μ-COC₁₆H₈)] (3) and the pyryne complex [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-H)₂(μ₃-η¹:η¹:η²-C₁₆H₈)] (4).In contrast, when 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde reacts with [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] only one product is obtained, [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ-H)₂(μ₃-η¹:η¹:η²-C₁₆H₈)] (5), a nonacarbonyl cluster bearing a pyrene ligand. All compounds were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic data, and crystal structures for 1, 2, 4 and 5 were obtained.     

Ruthenium carbonyl clusters containing PMe2(nap) and derived ligands (nap = 1-naphthyl): generation of naphthalyne derivatives

Bis(dimethylphosphino)naphthalene, 1,8-(PMe₂)₂C₁₀H₆ (dmpn), reacts readily with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ or Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₁₀ with replacement of one of the PMe₂ groups by H to give Ru₃(CO)_12 − n{PMe₂(nap)}_n (n = 1 2, 2 3) or Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉{PMe₂(nap)} 4; the complex Ru₃(CO)₁₀(dmpn) 1 is obtained only in small amount. Thermolysis of 2 or 4 gives Ru₃(μ-H)₂{μ₃-PMe₂(C₁₀H₅)}(μ-dppm)_n (CO)_8-2n (n = 0 5, 1 6, respectively) containing μ₃-naphthalyne groups.     

Synthesis and characterisation of saturated and unsaturated triruthenium clusters containing electronically symmetrical and asymmetrical alkynes

The synthesis and characterisation of μ₃-η²-alkynyl triruthenium clusters, [Ru₃(μ₃-η²-R¹-4-C₆H₄CCR²)(μ-dppm)(μ-CO)(CO)₇] (1, saturated), [Ru₃(μ₃-η²-R¹-4-C₆H₄CCR²)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇] (2, unsaturated) and [Ru₃(μ₃-η²-R¹-4-C₆H₄CCR²)(μ-dppm)(PPh₃)(CO)₇] (3, saturated) containing symmetrical and asymmetrical alkynes in which R¹ and R² are electron donor or electron withdrawing groups in the para position of the aromatic ring(s) or R² is ferrocenyl, are reported. Clusters 1 were obtained from the reactions of [PPN][Ru₃(μ-Cl)(CO)₁₀] with R¹-4-C₆H₄CCR² and dppm. Clusters 1 were successfully decarbonylated to give unsturated clusters 2, with the exception of the FcCCC₆H₄-4-NO₂ containing cluster, which is stable. Novel adducts 3 were obtained in high yields by addition of PPh₃ to unsaturated clusters 2. Clusters 1-3 were characterised by analytical and spectroscopic data, and structures were proposed on the basis of systematic ³¹P NMR studies and correlations with X-ray structural data of related compounds available in the literature. Saturated compounds 1 contain a CO and a dppm ligands bridging the same edge, which is also parallel to the μ₃-η²-alkyne, as opposed to the structure previously proposed for the PhCCPh and other derivatives, and established by X-ray crystallography for the PhCCCCPh cluster derivative, in which the dppm ligand bridges a different edge. Unsaturated compounds 2 exhibit the same structure established for the PhCCPh derivative in the solid state, with the alkyne bonded in the μ₃-η²-mode perpendicular to the Ru₂ edge supported by the dppm ligand. Because the dppm phosphorus chemical shifts were sensitive to the alkyne electronic asymmetry, it was possible to show that clusters containing electronically asymmetrical alkynes exist in two inseparable isomeric forms, which differ with respect to the alkyne orientation. Similarly to their osmium analogues, saturated compounds 3 exist as inseparable mixtures of isomers that differ with respect to the position of the bridging CO and dppm ligands, and in the cases of asymmetrical alkyne derivatives, also with respect to the orientation of the alkyne. This work has established, therefore, that μ-CO and dppm ligand positions respective to the μ₃-η²-alkyne in saturated clusters 1 and 3 are sensitive both to the nature of the coordinated alkyne and to the presence of a PPh₃ in place of a CO ligand on the metal frame.     

Diruthenium(I,I) saccharinate complexes: Synthesis, molecular structure, and evaluation as catalysts for carbenoid reactions of diazoacetates

The dinuclear ruthenium complexes [Ru₂(μ-sac)₂(CO)₆] (1), [Ru₂(μ-sac)₂(CH₃CN)₂(CO)₄] (3), [Ru₂(μ-sac)₂(CO)₅(PPh₃)] (4) and [Ru₂(μ-sac)₂(CO)₄(PPh₃)₂] (5) as well as the tetranuclear ruthenium complex [Ru₂(μ-sac)₂(CO)₅]₂ (2) (sac = saccharinate, C₇H₄NO₃S⁻) were synthesized starting from Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and saccharin. X-ray crystal structure analysis of 1, 3A × p-xylene, 4 × CH₂Cl₂ and 5 × 3CH₂Cl₂ showed that the core is bridged through the amidate moieties of the two saccharinate ligands, with a head-tail arrangement in complexes 1, 3A and 5, and a head-head arrangement in 4. For complex 3, an equilibrium mixture of the head-head regioisomer 3A and a second species 3b exists in solution. Complexes 1 and 2 are suitable catalysts for the cyclopropanation of nucleophilic alkenes (styrene, cyclohexene and 2-methyl-2-butene) with methyl diazoacetate.     

Reaction of the heterometallic cluster Os3Ru(μ-H)2(CO)13 with diphenylphosphine: phosphido-bridged tetrahedral and butterfly clusters

TMNO-activated reaction of the heteronuclear cluster Os₃Ru(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₃ (1) with diphenylphosphine afforded the novel phosphido-bridged clusters Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)(μ-H)₃(CO)₁₁ (2), Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)₂(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀ (3), Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)₂(μ-H)₄(CO)₉ (4), and Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)(μ-H)₃(CO)₁₁(PPh₂H) (5). The formation of 2-5 proceeded via P-H bond cleavage in the adduct Os₃Ru(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₂(PPh₂H) (6). Reaction of 2 with PPh₃ afforded the adduct Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)(μ-H)₃(CO)₁₁(PPh₃) (7) and the substituted derivative Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)(μ-H)₃(CO)₁₀(PPh₃) (8).     

Reactivity of the heteronuclear cluster RuOs3(μ-H)2(CO)13 with indene

The heteronuclear cluster RuOs₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₃ (1) reacts with indene under thermal activation to afford the novel clusters RuOs₃(μ-H)(CO)₉(μ-CO)₂(η⁵-C₉H₇) (3), RuOs₃(μ-H)(CO)₉(μ₃,η⁵:η²:η²-C₉H₇) (4) and Ru₂Os₃(μ-H)(CO)₁₁(μ₃,η⁵:η²:η²-C₉H₇) (5), the latter two possessing indenyl ligands in the μ₃,η⁵:η²:η² bonding mode. Cluster 5 exists as a mixture of two isomers. The inter-relationship among the clusters has also been investigated.     

Reactions of the triosmium cluster Os3(μ-H)(μ-OH)(CO)10 with naphthols

Reaction of the cluster Os₃(μ-H)(μ-OH)(CO)₁₀ (1) with 1-naphthol afforded the isomeric clusters 2a and 3a with the formulae Os₃(μ-H)₂(μ₃-1-OC₁₀H₆)(CO)₉. A similar reaction with 2-naphthol, however, gave Os₃(μ-H)(μ-2-OC₁₀H₇)(CO)₁₀, 4b, and the analogue of 2a. These clusters have been structurally characterised to confirm the mode of anchoring of the naphthols.     

Synthesis of electronically and coordinatively unsaturated complexes [Ru2(CO)4(μ-H)(μ-PBu2)(μ-L2)] (L2 = biphosphanes)

A convenient synthesis and the characterization of six new electronically and coordinatively unsaturated complexes of the formula [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-H)(μ-P^tBu₂)(μ-L₂)] (2b-g) (RuRu) is described exhibiting a close relation to the known [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-H)(μ-P^tBu₂)(μ-dppm)] (2a). The complexes 2b-g were obtained in a kind of one-pot synthesis starting from [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] and P^tBu₂H in the first step followed by the reaction with the bidentate bridging ligand in the second step. The method was developed for the following bridging ligands (μ-L₂): dmpm (2b, dmpm = Me₂PCH₂PMe₂), dcypm (2c, dcypm = Cy₂PCH₂PCy₂), dppen (2d, dppen = Ph₂PC(=CH₂)PPh₂), dpppha (2e, dpppha = Ph₂PN(Ph)PPh₂), dpppra (2f, dpppra = Ph₂PN(Pr)PPh₂), and dppbza (2g, dppbza = Ph₂PN(CH₂Ph)PPh₂). The molecular structures of all new complexes 2b−g were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Reactivity of the heteronuclear cluster Cp*IrOs3(μ-H)2(CO)10 with some group 16 substrates

The mixed metal cluster Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀ (1) reacted readily with a number of group 16 substrates under chemical activation with TMNO. It reacted with C₆H₅SH to afford the novel cluster Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₃(CO)₉(μ-SPh) (2). It also reacted readily with Ph₃PSe to afford five new clusters, viz., Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₉(μ₃-Se) (3) Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₇(μ₃-Se)(PPh₃)₂ (4), Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₉(PPh₃) (5), Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₂(μ₃-Se)(CO)₈(PPh₃) (6) and Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₂(μ₃-Se)₂(CO)₇(PPh₃) (7). The reaction pathway for this reaction has been studied carefully and suggests that Ph₃PSe functioned primarily as a selenium atom transfer agent to give initially the even more reactive 3. The reaction of 1 with di-p-tolyl ditelluride yielded three new clusters, 8-10, which were non-interconverting stereoisomers with the formulation Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₂(μ-Te-p-C₆H₄CH₃)₂(CO)₈.     

Open Pentaruthenium Cluster Complexes Formed from the Addition of Benzoic Acid to Ru<Subscript>5</Subscript>(C)(CO)<Subscript>15</Subscript>

Two isomers of Ru₅(C)(CO)₁₄(O₂CC₆H₅)(μ-H): Ru₅(C)(CO)₁₄(η²-O₂CC₆H₅)(μ-H), 2 and Ru₅(C)(CO)₁₄(μ-O₂CC₆H₅)(μ-H), 3 were obtained from the reaction of Ru₅(C)(CO)₁₅ with benzoic acid (PhCO₂H). Both compounds were characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 2 contains an opened pentaruthenium cluster with a chelating benzoate ligand on the ruthenium atom that was opened. Compound 3 contains an opened pentaruthenium cluster with a benzoate ligand on that bridges a pair of ruthenium atoms which are not mutually bonded. Compound 2 can be converted partially to 3 and 3 partially back to 2 and they form a 1.54/1.0 ratio (3/2) at equilibrium in solution at 95 °C.