A new palladium nanoparticle catalyst on mesoporous silica prepared from a molecular cluster precursor

A promising approach to the controlled synthesis of supported nanoparticles involves the use of molecular carbonyl clusters as precursors. Molecular metal clusters consist of a defined number of structurally ordered atoms, and active monodisperse metal particles are formed after dispersing the molecules and removing the ligands. An octanuclear palladium cluster precursor with easily displaceable ligands was used to generate palladium nanoparticles on mesoporous MCM-41. The molecular cluster precursor, [Pd8(CO)8(PMe3)7], was directly adsorbed from solution onto MCM-41, followed by gentle thermolysis which yielded small metal nanoparticles. Compared to MCM-41-based catalysts prepared from palladium salts by conventional methods, this cluster-derived palladium catalyst has shown an efficient activity for liquid-phase hydrogenation of alkenes.     

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry Part 20. Syntheses, crystal structures and electrochemical studies of W2Ir2(μ-L)(CO)8(η-C5H4Me)2 (L=dppe, dppf)

The 60-electron tetrahedral clusters W₂Ir₂(μ-L)(CO)₈(η⁵-C₅H₄Me)₂ [L=dppe (2), dppf (3)] have been prepared from reaction between W₂Ir₂(CO)₁₀(η⁵-C₅H₄Me)₂ (1) and the corresponding diphosphine in 52 and 66% yields, respectively. A structural study of 2 reveals that three edges of a WIr₂ face are spanned by bridging carbonyls, that the iridium-ligated diphosphine coordinates diaxially and that the tungsten-bound methylcyclopentadienyls coordinate axially and apically with respect to the plane of bridging carbonyls. A structural study of 3 reveals that the dppf ligand bridges an Ir---Ir bond which is also spanned by a bridging carbonyl; tungsten-ligated methylcyclopentadienyl ligands and terminal carbonyls result in electronic asymmetry (17e and 19e iridium atoms) in the electron-precise cluster. Both clusters show two reversible one-electron oxidation processes and an irreversible two-electron reduction; the dppf-containing cluster 3 has a further, irreversible, one-electron oxidation process. UV–vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical studies of the 2→2⁺→2²⁺ progression reveal the appearance of a low-energy transition on oxidation to 2⁺ which persists on further oxidation to 2²⁺.     

Synthesis, characterization of new Rh---Co mixed-metal clusters and reactions of clusters containing [Rh2Co2C2] core with 1-alkynes and/or carbon monoxide

Six new cluster derivatives [Rh₂Co₂(CO)₆(μ-CO)₄(μ₄,η²-HCCR)] (R=FeCp₂ 1, CH₂OH 2, (CH₃O)C₁₀H₆CH(CH₃)COOCH₂CCH 3) and [RhCo₃(CO)₆(μ-CO)₄(μ₄,η²-HCCR)] (R=FeCp₂ 4, CH₂OH 5, (CH₃O)C₁₀H₆CH(CH₃)COOCH₂CCH 6) were obtained by the reactions of [Rh₂Co₂(CO)₁₂] and [RhCo₃(CO)₁₂] with substituted 1-alkyne ligands HCCR [R=FeCp₂ 7, CH₂OH 8, (CH₃O)C₁₀H₆CH(CH₃) COOCH₂CCH 9] in n-hexane at room temperature, respectively. Alkynes insert into the Co---Co bond of the tetranuclear clusters to give butterfly clusters. [Rh₂Co₂(CO)₆(μ-CO)₄(μ₄,η²-HCCFeCp₂)] (1) was characterized by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Reactions of 1, 2 with 7, 8 and ambient pressure of carbon monoxide at 25 °C gave two known cluster complexes [Co₂(CO)₆(μ₂, η²-HCCR)] (R=FeCp₂ 10, CH₂OH 11), respectively. All clusters were characterized by element analysis, IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and X-ray structure of (η-C5H5)2W2Ir2(CO)7(CHCO2Et)2, a tetrahedral heterometal cluster with two different environments for ethylcarboxylatocarbene ligands

The tetrahedral heteronuclear cluster complex (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂W₂Ir₂(CO)₁₀ reacts with N₂CHCO₂R (R = Et, Me) at room temperature to form the dicarbene species (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂W₂Ir₂(CO)₇(CHCO₂R)₂. An X-ray diffraction study (R = Et) shows an intact tetrahedral metal framework with two distinct sites for the CHCO₂Et ligands. The first uses its carbon atom to bridge the Ir---Ir bond; the second uses its carbon atom to bridge an Ir---W bond and, additionally, forms a donor bond from a carbonyl oxygen atom to the second tungsten atom.     

Hydrogenation of non-activated alkenes catalysed by water-soluble ruthenium carbonyl clusters using a biphasic protocol

The use of the water soluble ruthenium clusters Ru₃(CO)_12−x(TPPTN)_x (x=1 1, 2 2 or 3 3) and H₄Ru₄(CO)₁₁(TPPTN) 4 (TPPTN=P{m-C₆H₄SO₃Na)₃) as catalyst precursors in the hydrogenation of non-activated alkenes under biphasic conditions is described. Each cluster displays activity under moderate conditions, ca. 60 atm. H₂ at 60°C, with catalytic turnovers up to ca. 500. The trinuclear clusters undergo transformation during reaction but can be reused repeatedly without loss of activity. Other methodologies such as ionic liquid–organic and the use of silica supports have been attempted with these clusters but they are less effective than the aqueous–organic regime.     

Stereoselective single (copper) or double (platinum) boronation of alkynes catalyzed by magnesia-supported copper oxide or platinum nanoparticles

Copper(II) oxide nanoparticles supported on magnesia have been prepared from Cu(II) supported on magnesia by hydrogen reduction at 400 °C followed by storage under ambient conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the material clearly shows that immediately after the reduction copper(0)-metal nanoparticles are present on the magnesia support, but they undergo fast oxidation to copper oxide upon contact with the ambient for a short time. TEM images show that the catalytically active CuO/MgO material is formed of well-dispersed copper oxide nanoparticles supported on fibrous MgO. CuO/MgO exhibits a remarkable catalytic activity for the monoborylation of aromatic, aliphatic, terminal, and internal alkynes, the products being formed with high regio- (borylation at the less substituted carbon) and stereoselectivity (trans-configured). CuO/MgO exhibits complete chemoselectivity towards the monoborylation of alkynes in the presence of alkenes. Other metal nanoparticles such as gold or palladium are inactive towards borylation, but undergo undesirable oligomerization or partial hydrogenation of the C≡C triple bond. In contrast, platinum, either supported on magnesia or on nanoparticulate ceria, efficiently promotes the stereoselective diborylation of alkynes to yield a cis-configured diboronate alkene. By using platinum as the catalyst we have developed a tandem diborylation/hydrogenation reaction that gives vic-diboronated alkanes from alkynes in one pot.     

Synthesis, structure and hydrogenation catalytic activity of [Ru3(μ3,η-ampy)(μ,η:η-PhC=CHPh)(CO)6(PPh3) (Hampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridine)

The compound [RU₃(μ₃,η²- -ampy)(μ₃η¹:η²-PhC=CHPh)(CO)₆(PPh₃)₂] (1) (ampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridinate) has been prepared by reaction of [RU₃(η-H)(μ₃,η²- ampy) (μ,η¹:η²-PhC=CHPh)(CO)₇(PPh₃)] with triphenylphosphine at room temperature. However, the reaction of [RU₃(μ-H)(μ₃, η² -ampy)(CO)₇(PPh₃)₂] with diphenylacetylene requires a higher temperature (110°C) and does not give complex 1 but the phenyl derivative [RU₃(μ₃,η²-ampy)(μ,η ¹:η² -PhC=CHPh)(μ,-PPh₂)(Ph)(CO)₅(PPh₃)] (2). The thermolysis of complex 1 (110°C) also gives complex 2 quantitatively. Both 1 and 2 have been characterized by0 X-ray diffraction methods. Complex 1 is a catalyst precursor for the homogeneous hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene to a mixture of cis- and trans -stilbene under mild conditions (80°C, 1 atm. of H₂), although progressive deactivation of the catalytic species is observed. The dihydride [RU₃(μ-H)₂(μ ₃,η²-ampy)(μ,η¹:η²- PhC=CHPh)(CO)₅(PPh₃)₂] (3), which has been characterized spectroscopically, is an intermediate in the catalytic hydrogenation reaction.     

Synthesis and structures of heterobimetallic Ir2M (M=Pd, Pt) sulfido clusters and their catalytic activity for regioselective addition of alcohols to internal 1-aryl-1-alkynes

The heterobimetallic trinuclear sulfido clusters [(Cp*Ir)₂(μ₃-S)₂MCl₂] (M=Pd (3), Pt (4); Cp*=η⁵-C₅Me₅) were synthesized from the dinuclear hydrogensulfido complex [Cp*IrCl(μ-SH)₂IrCp*Cl] (2) and [MCl₂(COD)] (COD=cycloocta-1,5-diene), while the reaction of 2 with [Pd(PPh₃)₄] afforded the cationic trinuclear cluster [(Cp*Ir)₂(μ₃-S)₂PdCl(PPh₃)]Cl (5). Clusters 3 and 4 reacted with PPh₃ to give a series of mono and dicationic clusters including 5, while the dicationic clusters [(Cp*Ir)₂(μ₃-S)₂M(dppe)][BPh₄]₂ (M=Pd (9), Pt (10); DPPE=Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) were obtained by the reaction with dppe followed by anion metathesis. The molecular structures of 5·CH₂Cl₂, 9·CH₃COCH₃, and 10·CH₃COCH₃ were determined by X-ray crystallography. Clusters 3 and 4 were found to catalyze the addition of alcohols to alkynes to give the corresponding acetals. Internal 1-aryl-1-alkynes were transformed by cluster 3 into the corresponding 2,2-dialkoxy-1-arylalkanes with high regioselectivity up to 99:1, while cluster 4 was a much less regioselective catalyst.     

水热法Fe-Mn催化剂制备及其合成气制低碳烯烃催化活性

以水热合成法制备了K原位改性的Fe-Mn催化剂,考察了其CO加氢合成低碳烯烃催化活性。采用SEM、TEM、XRD、H₂-TPR和FT-IR等手段对催化剂进行了表征。结果表明,制备的催化剂前驱体呈50~70 nm的球形颗粒,表面富含羰基和羟基,物相组成以Fe₃O₄为主,用于反应后有Fe₅C₂和MnCO₃相生成。与共沉淀法制备催化剂相比,在设定的反应条件下,不同K含量改性的催化剂均具有较高的活性,以原料配比Fe:Mn:C₆:K=3:1:5:0.10的催化剂性能最佳,CO转化率达95.02%,总低碳烯烃收率为62.86 g/m³(H₂+CO),CH₄和CO₂选择性分别为13.88%和13.98%。     

EXAFS/FT-IR characterization of tetra-iridium carbonyl clusters bound to tris-(hydroxymethyl)phosphine grafted silica surface catalytically active for propene oxidation to acetone

Structure and catalytic activity of Ir₄(CO)₁₂ bound to tris-(hydroxymethyl)phosphine (THP) grafted silica (THP/SiO₂) was investigated by means of EXAFS, FT-IR and kinetic studies. It was found that Ir₄(CO)₁₂ was uniformly attached on THP/SiO₂ by substitution of CO by THP (Ir₄/THP/SiO₂). The tetra-iridium carbonyl cluster framework was remained during the substitution of THP ligands and two THP ligands coordinated to the iridium carbonyl clusters to form Ir₄(CO)₁₀(THP/SiO₂)₂. species. When Ir₄/THP/SiO₂ was evacuated at 373 K, bridge CO was desorbed and Debye-Waller factor of Ir---Ir contribution derived from EXAFS analysis was increased which suggested that the cluster framework was distorted by the evacuation at 373 K. The resulting sample evacuated at 373 K was an active catalyst for hydroformylation of ethene and partial oxidation of propene, while the Ir₄/THP/SiO₂ without evacuation exhibited poor catalytic activities. The propene oxidation reaction proceed on the Ir₄/THP/SiO₂ evacuated at 323–353 K under subatmospheric pressures to give acetone as a product in high selectivity. The ethene hydroformylation proceed on the evacuated Ir₄/THP/SiO₂ at lower temperatures compared with other conventional iridium catalysts. EXAFS characterization and kinetic studies suggested that the catalytic activities were associated with the structural distortion of the iridium cluster framework due to surface attachment by the bidentate phosphine substitution.     

新型核壳结构纳米催化剂的三效催化活性及热稳定性

从Pd纳米粒子出发制备了具有核壳结构的新型纳米Pd@SiO₂/Ce_0.4Zr_0.6O₂三效催化剂及作为参比的Pd/Ce_0.4Zr_0.6O₂催化剂, 采用X射线衍射、 透射电子显微镜、 氢气程序升温还原和氮气低温吸附-脱附等技术对催化剂的物化性质进行了表征, 研究了Pd@SiO₂/Ce_0.4Zr_0.6O₂和Pd/Ce_0.4Zr_0.6O₂催化剂的三效反应催化活性和热稳定性. 结果表明, SiO₂壳层可以抑制Pd粒子的团聚, 同时还能抑制Pd物种的再分散, 减少Pd的流失. 具有核壳结构的纳米Pd@SiO₂/Ce_0.4Zr_0.6O₂催化剂具有更好的三效催化活性和更高的热稳定性.     

The coordinatively unsaturated cluster cations [Pt3{M(CO)3}(μ-Ph2PCH2PPh2)3] (M = Re, Mn)

The coordinatively unsaturated cluster [Pt₃(μ₃-CO)(μ-dppm)₃]²⁺ (1, dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) reacts with Na⁺[M(CO)₅]⁻ to give the mixed metal clusters [Pt₃{M(CO)₃}(μ-dppm)₃]⁺ (M = Re, 2; Mn, 3). The new clusters are characterized by spectroscopic methods and, for M = Re, by an X-ray structure determination. The Pt₃Re core in 2 is tetrahedral with particularly short metal-metal distances.     

Butane isomerization over platinum promoted sulfated zirconia catalysts

The isomerization of n-butane to i-butane has been studied at 11 bar in a microflow reactor over sulfated zirconia (SZ) and platinum containing sulfated zirconia (Pt-SZ) catalysts. In the presence of H₂ a significantly higher temperature is required for isomerization over SZ than in its absence. The rate over SZ is higher with n-butane containing 33 ppm butene as an impurity than with a feed that is pre-equilibrated over a Pt/SiO₂ catalyst to a much lower butene content. Over Pt-SZ the reaction rate is higher, because any butene consumed is rapidly regenerated; the conversion is perfectly stable in 83 h runs, selectivity to i-butane is 95%; i-pentane and propane are the main byproducts. The activation energy is 53 kJ mol⁻¹. Upon increasing the pressure of H₂ from 1.1 to 6.6 bar, the reaction rate was found to decrease in a perfectly reversible fashion. Kinetic analysis reveals that the reaction order is negative in H₂ (−1.1 to −1.3 depending on the temperature) and positive in n-butane (+ 1.3 to +1.6), indicating that the mechanism of this isomerization is intermolecular: butene is formed and reacts with adsorbed C₄-carbenium ions to adsorbed C₈ intermediates which isomerize and undergo β-fission to fragments with i-C₄ structure. This mechanism is confirmed over Pt-SZ by isotopic labelling experiments, though at much lower pressure, using double labelled ¹³CH₃---CH₂---CH₂---¹³CH₃. The primary reaction product consists of i-butane molecules, containing zero, one, two, three and four ¹³C atoms in a binomial distribution.     

A localized molecular orbital study on the bonding of> Mo3S4]2Mo> and> Mo3S4]CuI> versus (C6H6)2Cr and C6H6Cr(CO)3

The energy-localized CNDO/2 molecular orbitais have been calculated for the clusters containing molybdenum, > {Mo₃S₄₂Mo}⁸⁺ and> Mo₃S₄]CuI> ⁴⁺, versus the prototype arene-metal sandwich (C₆H₆)₂Cr and half-sandwich complexes C₆H₆Cr(CO)₃. The bonding characteristics of these compounds are described from a localization bonding viewpoint. There are two typical M-arene and M-[Mo₃S₄] bondings. One is formed by electron donation from the three-center two-electron π-bonds in the arene or [Mo₃S₄]⁴⁺ ligands into the vacant hybrid orbitais of the “stranger” metal atom. In the other M-arene or M-[Mo₃S₄] bond there is very little donation by the lone electron pair occupying the d AOs of the “stranger” metal atom to the arene or [Mo₃S₄]⁴⁺ ligands. The analogy of the ligand [Mo₃S₄]⁴⁺ in the clusters studied with the ligand benzene is also briefly discussed.     

Preparation, properties, and reactions of metal-containing heterocycles: Part CVI. Three-dimensional water-soluble platinacyclophanes

Trifunctional primary phosphines of the type 1,3,5-[PH₂(CH₂)_n]₃C₆H₃ (3b–d) were obtained via an Arbusov reaction between the 1,3,5-tris(bromoalkyl)benzenes 1b–d and P(OEt)₃ followed by a reaction of the trisphosphonates 1,3,5-[(EtO)₂P(O)(CH₂)_n]₃C₆H₃ (2b–d) with LiAlH₄. A straightforward conversion of these sensitive key phosphines 3b–d to the corresponding water-soluble ligands 1,3,5-tris[bis(hydroxymethyl)phosphinylalkyl]benzenes 4b–d and 1,3,5-tris[bis(2′-diethylphosphonatoethyl)phophinylalkyl]benzenes 5b–d was achieved by formylation with formaldehyde and hydrophosphonation with diethyl vinylphosphonate, respectively. A five component self-assembly consisting of three equivalents of the platinum(II) complex Cl₂Pt(NCPh)₂ and two equivalents of the ligands 5b–d under high dilution conditions resulted in the formation of the nanoscaled, water-soluble triplatinacyclophanes 6b–d in high yields. However, comparable reactions with the ligands 4b–d led only to polymeric materials, which are insoluble in all organic solvents and water. The structures of the metallacyclophanes 6b–d were elucidated by ³¹P{¹H}-, ¹³C{¹H}-, and ¹⁹⁵Pt{¹H}-NMR spectroscopic investigations.     

Performance of Pt/SnO2 catalyst in the gas phase hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde

Selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde was performed on 5% Pt/SnO₂ catalysts, in gaseous phase, at atmospheric pressure, at 353 K. Two types of catalyst were prepared using H₂PtCl₆ and Pt(NH₃)₄(NO₃)₂ as metallic precursors. Their performances were compared as a function of the reduction temperature and both catalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction after different reduction treatments. Using the ex-chloride catalyst, the selectivity values to the unsaturated alcohol (UOL) resulted into a maximum of 45% while a selectivity as high as 70–77%, in 0–25% conversion range, was achieved by using ex-nitrate catalyst reduced at 443 K. The formation of Pt–Sn alloy on the metal particles of platinum was thought to be necessary to improve the activity and the selectivity on these catalysts. In the contrast, a presence of PtSn₂ formed at a reduction temperature higher than 473 K led to a decrease of activity and selectivity.     

Electron counting and bonding analysis in triruthenium clusters containing sulfoximido ligands: true or false electron-deficient systems?

Triruthenium clusters containing a methylphenylsulfoximido cap or bridge, Ru₃(CO)₉(μ₂-H)[μ₃-NS(O)MePh] (1), Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ₂-H)[μ₃-NS(O)MePh] (2), Ru₃(CO)₈(μ₃-η²-CPhCHBu)[μ₃-NS(O)MePh] (3), Ru₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-PhCCCCHPh)[μ₂-NS(O)MePh] (4), and Ru₃(CO)₇(μ₂-CO)(μ₃-η²-PhCCCCHPh)[μ₃-NS(O)MePh] (5) have been examined by EHT and DFT calculations in order to analyze the bonding present in the clusters and to establish the electron counting. They clearly show that a μ₃-sulfoximido group is not a 3e⁻ ligand as one may be led to think at first sight, but rather acts as a three-orbital/5e⁻ system, i.e. should be considered as isolobal to an N---R⁻ ligand. Because of some delocalization of its π-type orbitals on the sulfur and oxygen atoms, it is expected to bind slightly less strongly to metal atoms than classical imido ligands. Once in a μ₂ coordination mode, the sulfoximido ligand retains a lone pair on its pyramidalized N atom and becomes a two-orbital/3e⁻ ligand. It follows that clusters 1, 2, 4 and 5 are electron-precise, whereas cluster 3 is electron deficient with respect to the 18e⁻ rule but obeys the polyhedral skeletal electron pair electron-counting rules. Consistently, all the calculated clusters exhibit large HOMO–LUMO gaps and no trace of electron deficiency can be found in their electronic structures.     

Darstellung von metallkomplexen des thio- und selenoacetaldehyds sowie die kristallstruktur von C5H5Rh(η-CH3CHSe)P(i-Pr)3

The compounds C₅H₅Co(η²-CH₃CHS)PMe₃ (I) and C₅H₅Co(η²-CH₃CHSe)PMe₃ (II) are prepared from C₅H₅Co(CO)PMe₃, CH₃CHBr₂ and NaSH or NaSeH, respectively. The synthesis of the corresponding rhodium complexes C₅H₅Rh(η²-CH₃CHS)P(i-Pr)₃ (VI) and C₅H₅Rh(η²-CH₃CHSe)P(i-Pr)₃ (VII) has been achieved through hydrogenation of C₅H₅Rh(η²-EC=CH₂)P(i-Pr)₃ (E = S, Se), using RhCl(PPh₃)₃ as a catalyst. The crystal structure of VII has been determined.     

Reactions of the cationic diruthenium carbonyl complex [Ru2(μ-dppm)2(CO)4(μ,η-O2CMe)] with bidentate ligands; intramolecularly assisted stereospecific synthesis via the second-sphere face-to-face π–π stacking interactions

The reactions of the diruthenium carbonyl complexes [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]X (X=BF₄⁻ (1a) or PF₆⁻ (1b)) with neutral or anionic bidentate ligands (L,L) afford a series of the diruthenium bridging carbonyl complexes [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-(L,L))₂]X_n ((L,L)=acetate (O₂CMe), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), acetylacetonate (acac), 8-quinolinolate (quin); n=0, 1, 2). Apparently with coordination of the bidentate ligands, the bound acetate ligand of [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]⁺ either migrates within the same complex or into a different one, or is simply replaced. The reaction of [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]⁺ (1) with 2,2′-bipyridine produces [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)₂] (2), [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)(η²-bpy)]⁺ (3), and [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-bpy)₂]²⁺ (4). Alternatively compound 2 can be prepared from the reaction of 1a with MeCO₂H–Et₃N, while compound 4 can be obtained from the reaction of 3 with bpy. The reaction of 1b with acetylacetone–Et₃N produces [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)(η²-acac)] (5) and [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-acac)₂] (6). Compound 2 can also react with acetylacetone–Et₃N to produce 6. Surprisingly [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-quin)₂] (7) was obtained stereospecifically as the only one product from the reaction of 1b with 8-quinolinol–Et₃N. The structure of 7 has been established by X-ray crystallography and found to adopt a cis geometry. Further, the stereospecific reaction is probably caused by the second-sphere π–π face-to-face stacking interactions between the phenyl rings of dppm and the electron-deficient six-membered ring moiety of the bound quinolinate (i.e. the N-included six-membered ring) in 7. The presence of such interactions is indeed supported by an observed charge-transfer band in a UV–vis spectrum.     

Synthesis, structures and reactivity of triosmium clusters containing terminal pyrazines, bridging hydroxy and methoxycarbonyl ligands

Four triosmium carbonyl clusters bearing terminal pyrazines, bridging hydroxy and methoxycarbonyl ligands of general formula [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L] (1, L = pyrazine; 2, L = 2-methylpyrazine; 3, L = 2,3-dimethylpyrazine; 4, L = 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine) were synthesized by the reactions of [Os₃(CO)₁₂] with the corresponding pyrazine derivatives and water in the presence of a methanolic solution of Me₃NO in moderate yields. Compounds [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L] react with a series of two electron donor ligands, L′ at ambient temperature to give [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L′] (5, L′ = PPh₃; 6, L′ = P(OMe)₃; 7, L′ = ^tBuNC; 8, L′ = C₅H₅N) in good yields by the displacement of the pyrazine ligands. This implies that the pyrazine ligands in 1–4 are relatively labile. Compounds 2, 3, 4, and 8 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. All the four compounds possess two metal–metal bonds and a non-bonded separation of two osmium atoms defined by Os(1)Os(3), which are simultaneously bridged by OH and MeOCO ligands and a heterocyclic ligand is terminally coordinated to one of the two non-bonded osmium atoms.