Transformation of C2 units on a bimetallic tetranuclear cluster.: Reactivity of [Ru3Mo(μ3-η-CC)(μ-CO)3(CO)2(η-C5H4R)3(η-C5H5)] (R = H, Me)

The reactivity of [Ru₃Mo(μ₄-η²-CC)(μ-CO)₃(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄R)₃(η-C₅H₅)] (R = H; Me) have been investigated, initially to elucidate the nature of the starting material, and, latterly, to define the reactivity of an interesting ethane-1,2-bis(ylidyne) species. While the mixed RuMo clusters were unreactive towards simple electrophiles and carbonyl substitution by phosphine ligands they did react with atmospheric oxygen or carbon monoxide to give substantially different products. In all instances oxygen was incorporated either at the metal centre or at the C₂ fragment. High-pressure carbonylations yielded [Ru₃(μ-CO)₃(η-C₅H₅)₃(μ₃-C-C(O)O{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)})] and [{Ru₂(μ-CO)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me)₂}(μ₄-η²-CC){Ru(CO)(η-C₅H₄Me)Mo(η-C₅H₅)(=O)(μ-O)}], an ethane-1,2-bis(ylidene) complex, this exemplifying a relatively rare raft geometry which further reacted with Cl₂CCCl₂ to give [Mo₃(μ₄-C₂(Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me))(CO)(μ-CO)(η-C₅H₅)₃(Cl)₂] having a similar geometry and undergone halogenation. In order to extend the extant examples of these raft clusters we explored the reaction of [{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄R)₂}₂(μ-C₂)] with [{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)₂}₂] to provide a rational synthetic pathway leading to very reactive [Ru(μ₄-η²-CC)(μ₂-CO)₂(CO)₄(η-C₅H₄Me)₂(η-C₅H₄R)₂] rafts.     

Stereo- and regio-specific CC bond formation via the coupling of electrophilic and nucleophilic organotransition-metal complexes: The x-ray crystal structure of [Ru(CO)2(PPh3)(η2,η3-C8H8R)][PF6]·0.5CH2Cl2 (R = CH2C(Me)CH2)

The coupling of [Ru(CO)₂L(η⁴-cot)] (L = CO or PPh₃, cot = cyclooctatetraene) with [Fe(CO)₃(η⁵-cyclohexadienyl)]⁺ or [Fe{P(OMe)₃}(NO)₂(η³-allyl)]⁺ yields respectively the dimetallic species [Ru(CO)₂L(η²,η³-C₈H₈{Fe(CO)₃(η⁴-C₆H₇)}] (3) and the allyl-substituted derivative [Ru(CO)₂L(η⁵-C₈H₈CH₂C(Me)CH₂)][PF₆] (5) whose X-ray structure is reported; paramagnetic [Co(η-C₅H₅)₂] and [Ru(CO)₃(η⁵-cyclohexadienyl)]⁺ give diamagnetic [Ru(CO)₃(η⁴-C₆H₇C₅H₆(o-C₅H₅)] (8) via CC bond formation and one-electron reduction.     

Synthesis and Characterizations of Ferrocenyl Carbonyl Chromium and Cobalt Clusters

Two novel bimetallic complexes, [Cr(CO)₃(η ⁶-C₆H₅)–C≡C–C₆H₄–Fc] (Fc = C₅H₅FeC₅H₄] (1) and [Cr(CO)₃(η ⁶-C₆H₅)–C ≡ C–Fc–C(CH₃)₂–Fc] (3), were synthesized by the Sonogashira coupling reaction. By using of (1) and (3) as ligands to react with Co₂(CO)₈, two others novel polymetallic complexes, [Cr(CO)₃(η ⁶-C₆H₅){Co₂(CO)₆-η ²-μ ²-C≡C–}–C₆H₄–Fc] (2) and [Cr(CO)₃(η ⁶-C₆H₅){Co₂(CO)₆-η ²-μ ²-C≡C–}Fc–C(CH₃)₂–Fc] (4) were obtained. Four carbonyl complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR and MS. The molecular structures of complexes (1), (2) and (4) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The interactions among the ferrocenyl, Cr(CO)₃ and Co₂(CO)₆-η ²-μ ²-C≡C– units were investigated by cyclic voltammetry.     

Synthesis of asymmetrical bis(arene) iron complexes

Visible light irradiation of the [(η-C₆H₇)Fe(η-C₆H₆)]⁺ cation (1) in CH₂Cl₂ in the presence of alkyl-substituted benzenes results in arene exchange forming the [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(η-C₆R₆)]⁺ cations (2a–d: C₆R₆ is toluene, p-xylene, mesitylene, and durene). The mixed bis(arene) [(η-C₆H₆)Fe(η-C₆R₆)]²⁺ iron complexes (3a–d) were synthesized by hydride ion abstraction from 2a–d by [Ph₃C]⁺. Dedicated to Academician G. A. Abakumov on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1864–1865, September, 2007.     

Use of the Cationic Fragments [Ru(η5-C5H5) (MeCN)3]+ and [M(η6-C6H5R)(MeCN)3]+ (M=Os, Ru; R=H, Me) as Ionic Coupling Reagents in the Synthesis of the Clusters [Os4M2(CO)12(η6-C6H5R)], [Os4M(CO)12(η6-C6H6)(Au2dppm)] and [Os5Ru(CO)15(η5-C5H5)(AuPPh3)]*

The clusters [H₂Os₄M(CO)₁₂eta⁶-C₆H₆)] (M=Os, Ru) may be deprotonated to generate anions [Os₄M(CO)₁₂eta⁶-C₆H₆)]^2- which react with [M′eta⁶-C₆H₅R) (MeCN)₃]²⁺(M^′=Os, Ru; R=H, Me) to give the bicapped tetrahedral clusters [Os₄(CO)₁₂MM′eta⁶-C₆H₅R)₂]. Whereas [Os₄(CO)₁₂M₂eta⁶-C₆H₆)₂] (M=Os, Ru) have one Meta⁶-C₆H₆) unit in a site connected to three other metals, {3}, and one in a site connected to four other metals, {4}, [Os₄(CO)₁₂OsRueta⁶-C₆H₆)₂] has the Rueta⁶-C₆H₆) unit in the {3} site irrespective of whether the Os or Ru anion is capped. Coupling of these anions with Au₂dppm yields [Os₄M(CO)₁₂eta⁶-C₆H₆)(Au₂dppm)] (M=Os, Ru), which have the arene ligand in the axial site of a trigonal bipyramid and the digold unit capping two faces. Reduction of [H₂Os₅(CO)₁₅] with K/Ph₂CO and coupling with [Rueta⁵-C₅H₅)(MeCN)₃]²⁺yields the monoanion [Os₅(CO)₁₅Rueta⁵-C₅H₅)]^? which reacts with [AuPPh₃]⁺ generating [Os₅(CO)₁₅Rueta⁵-C₅H₅)(AuPPh₃)] with the “Ru(C₅H₅)” unit in the terminal {3} site.     

Reactions of [Cp*Ru(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)(NBD)]<Superscript>+</Superscript> with diynes

Abstract  Formal [2 + 2 + 2] addition reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)][BF₄] (NBD = norbornadiene) with 4,4′-Diethynylbiphenyl generates [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂. The reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)][BF₄] with 1,4-diphenylbutadiyne generates the unusual [2 + 2 + 2] additional organic compound Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph in addition to the organometallic compound [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄]. [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BPh₄]₂ is generated after the reaction of compound [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂ with Na[BPh₄]. The structure of this compound was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. A possible approach to form Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph and [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄] is suggested. Graphical Abstract  Formal [2 + 2 + 2] addition reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)]BF₄ (NBD = norbornadiene) with 4,4′-Diethynylbiphenyl generates [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂. The reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)][BF₄] with 1,4-diphenylbutadiyne simply generates unusual [2 + 2 + 2] additional organic compound Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph in addition to the organometallic compound [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄]. [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BPh₄]₂ is generated after the reaction of compound [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂ with Na[BPh₄]. The structure of this compound was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. And the possible approach to form Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph and [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄] was suggested. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Cyclopentadienyl-ruthenium and -osmium chemistry : XXXIX. Syntheses of novel alkynyl-ruthenium complexes. X-Ray structures of two forms of {Ru(PPh3)2(η-C5H5)}2(μ-C4) and of Ru{CCC(O)Me}(PPh3)2(η-C5H5)

Reactions between [Ru(thf)(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅)]⁺ and lithium acetylides have given further examples of substituted ethynylruthenium complexes that are useful precursors of allenylidene and cumulenylidene derivatives. From Li₂C₄, mono- and bi-nuclear ruthenium complexes were obtained: single-crystal X-ray studies have characterised two rotamers of {Ru(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅)}₂(μ-C₄), which differ in the relative cis and trans orientations of the RuL_n groups. Protonation of Ru(CCCCH)(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅) afforded the butatrienylidene cation [Ru(C=C=C=CH₂)(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅)]⁺, which reacted readily with atmospheric moisture to give the acetylethynyl complex Ru{CCC(O)Me}(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅), also fully characterised by an X-ray structural study.     

Benzene complex [(η-9-SMe2-7,8-C2B9H10)Fe(η-C6H6)]+ as a synthon for the cationic ferracarborane moiety

The photochemical reaction of [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(η-C₆H₆)]⁺ (1) with the [(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)]⁻ anion followed by the treatment of the resulting ferracarborane (η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)Fe(η⁵-C₆H₇) (2) with hydrochloric acid afforded the benzene complex [(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)Fe(η-C₆H₆)]⁺ (3). The reaction of cation 3 with Bu^tNC produced the isonitrile complex [(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)Fe(^tBuNC)₃]⁺ (4). The structure of the complex [4]PF₆ was established by X-ray diffraction. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2046–2048, October, 2007.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a supramolecular adduct of trinuclear molybdenum oxocluster with macrocyclic cavitand cucurbit[5]uril containing the included ionic associate Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>...Cl...Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>

The compound of composition [{Mo₃O₄(H₂O)₆Cl₃}₂(Na₂Cl⊂ C₃₀H₃₀N ₂₀O₁₀)]Cl₃⋅14H₂O (1) was prepared by evaporation of a hydrochloric acid solution containing NaCl, the trinuclear aqua complex [Mo₃O₄(H₂O)₉]⁴⁺, and the macrocyclic cavitand cucurbit[5]uril (C₃₀H₃₀N₂₀O₁₀). X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that the cucurbit[5]uril molecule is closed on both sides by the cluster cations through hydrogen bonding between the CO groups of the cucurbit[5]uril portals and the aqua ligands of the oxo cluster. The inner cavity of the supramolecular adduct includes an unusual ionic associate Na⁺...Cl...Na⁺. The sodium cations are coordinated by five carbonyl oxygen atoms of each portal of the macrocycle. Compound 1 is the first structurally characterized complex, in which the macrocyclic cucurbit[5]uril ligand is directly coordinated to the alkali metal cation. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1513–1517, July, 2005.     

Synthesis and structures of bridged biscyclopentadienyl diiron complexes

Three diiron carbonyl complexes, namely [(η ⁵-C₅H₄)(η ³-C(CH₂)₂)]Fe₂(CO)₅ (1), [(C₂H₅)₂C(η ⁵-C₅H₄)₂]Fe₂(μ-CO)₂(CO)₂ (2), and [(CH₂)₄C(η ⁵-C₅H₄)(η ⁵-C₅H₃)(C₅H₉)]Fe₂(μ-CO)₂(CO)₂ (3), have been synthesized by the reactions of C₅H₄C(Me)₂, C₅H₄C(Et)₂, and C₅H₄C(CH₂)₄, respectively, with Fe(CO)₅ in refluxing xylene. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and ¹H NMR spectra. The molecular structures of the complexes have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures of the complexes indicate that fulvenes can be bound to transition metal centers by diverse modes.     

Photochemical reactions of allyl and crotyl halides with cyclopentadienyl-chromium, -molybdenum and -tungsten complexes

[MoCl(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)] on photolysis with allyl or crotyl halides C₅H₄RX gives Mo^IV complexes [MoX₂(CO)(η³-C₃H₄R)(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (R = H, X = Cl, Br, I; R = Me, X = Cl, Br). [WCl(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)] under similar conditions gives trihalides [WX₃(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (X = Cl, Br) on reaction with C₃H₅Cl and C₃H₅Br while [WCl(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)] and [CrI(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)] react with allyl chloride to give [WCl₃(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)] and [CrCl₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)] respectively.     

Synthesis of alkene- and alkyne-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl dicarbonyliron complexes via the aquo derivative [Fe(η-C5Me5)(CO)2(OH2)]+BF4-; crystal structure of the ruthenium analogue

[Fe(η-C₅Me₅)(CO)₂(OH₂)]⁺ BF₄^- (2a) reacts with alkenes and alkynes to give the new complexes [Fe(η-C₅Me₅)(CO)₂(alkene)]⁺ BF₄^- and [Fe(η-C₅Me₅)(CO)₂(alkyne)]⁺ BF₄^-. The crystal structure of the ruthenium analogue [Ru(η-C₅Me₅)(CO)₂(OH₂)]⁺ CF₃SO₃^- (2b) is described.     

Reactions of pyridyl side chain functionalized cyclopentadiene with ruthenium carbonyl

Abstract  

Reactions of the pyridyl side-chain-functionalized cyclopentadiene [C₅H₅CR₂(CH₂C₅H₄N)] [R ₂ = Et₂ (1), (CH₂)₄ (2)] with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing xylene gave the new intramolecular C–H activated trinuclear product [μ-(C₅H₃N)CH₂C(C₂H₅)₂(C₅H₄)Ru(CO)]₂Ru(CO)₂ (3) and the normal dinuclear metal complex [(C₅H₄N)CH₂C(CH₂)₄(C₅H₄)Ru(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ (4). The structures of the trinuclear complex 3 and dinuclear complex 4 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, ¹H-NMR and X-ray diffraction.     

Mechanisms of nucleophilic attack at coordinated carbon monoxide: II. Iodide addition to a carbon monoxide ligand in [Fe(CO3 (1–5-η-dienyl)]+ cations (dienyl = C6H7, C7H9, 2-MeOC6H6)

Nucleophilic addition to a carbonyl ligand has been shown to compete with attack at the metal or dienyl ring in the reactions of [Fe(CO)₃(1–5-η-dienyl)]⁺ cations with iodide ion. Thus, the novel acyl iodide complex [Fe(CO)₂(COI)(1–5-η-C₆H₇)] is found to be a major product from the reaction of [Fe(CO)₃(1–5-η-C₆H₇)]⁺ with I⁻ in nitromethane or acetone solvents. The other major initial product is the ring adduct [Fe(CO)₃(1–4-η-IC₆H₇)]. Exposure of the acyl iodide species to light causes its rapid decomposition. Analogous behaviour towards I⁻ is shown by the related [Fe(CO)₃(1–5-η-C₇H₉)]⁺ and [Fe(CO)₃(1–5-η-2-MeOC₆H₆)]⁺ cations.     

Routes to Higher Nuclearity Mixed-Metal Carbonyl Clusters Using the [Rh(η<Superscript>5</Superscript>-C<Subscript>5</Subscript>Me<Subscript>5</Subscript>)(NCMe)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Dication as a Building Block

Reaction of the [Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(NCMe)₃]²⁺ (1) dication with the hexaosmium [Os₆(CO)₁₇]²⁻ (2) dianion leads to the initial formation of [Os₆(CO)₁₇Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (3). This cluster readily adds CO to form [Os₆(CO)₁₈Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (4) which has been characterised crystallographically. 3 also adds dihydrogen to give [Os₆H₂(CO)₁₇Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (5) and undergoes a substitution reaction with PPh₃ to form [Os₆(CO)₁₆(PPh₃)Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (6). With the [Ru₆(CO)₁₈]²⁻ (7) dianion, [Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(NCMe)₃]²⁺ (1) reacts to form three mixed-metal clusters [Ru₅(CO)₁₅Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (8), [Ru₆(CO)₁₈Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (9) and [Ru₆(CO)₁₈Rh₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂] (10). The clusters have been characterised spectroscopically and the structures of 8 and 10 have been confirmed crystallographically. The cluster 8 undergoes a substitution reaction with P(OMe)₃ to form the disubstituted product [Ru₅(CO)₁₃(P(OMe)₃)₂Rh((η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (11) which has also been characterised crystallographically.     

The interconversion of η5 and η3 hapticities in cycloheptadienyl complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

[Mo(CO)₄(η⁵-C₇H₉)]⁺ (1) reacts with acetonitrile to give [Mo(CO)₂(NCMe)₃(η³-C₇H₉)]⁺ (3), which is precursor of a wide reange of η⁵-cycloheptadienyl complexes [Mo(CO)₂L₂(η⁵-C₇H₉)]⁺ [6, L = PPH₃; 7, L₂ = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂; 8, L₂ = 1,3-cyclohexadiene; 9, L₂ = 2,2′-dipyridyl]; 9 reacts reversibly with NCMe to give [Mo(CO)₂(NCMe)(dipy)(η³-C₇H₉)]⁺ (10).     

Synthesis and characteristics of novel pentanuclear complexes [(OC)3Mn(η1,η5-C5H4)Fe(CO)2(η1,η5-C5H4CO2)]2M(η5-C5H5)2 (M=Ti, Zr)

The reaction of Cp₂MCl₂ complexes (M=Ti and Zr) with 2 equiv. of (OC)₃Mn(η¹,η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₄COONa) results in the formation of the pentanuclear complexes (OC)₃Mn(η¹,η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂)]₂M(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂, which are characterized by IR and¹H NMR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1055–1058, May, 1997.     

Synthesis and structure of some group VII 1,2-diacyl cyclopentadiene complexes and their pyridazine derivatives

A series of 1,2-diacyl cyclopentadienyl tricarbonyl manganese and rhenium complexes, [M(CO)₃{η⁵-1,2-C₅H₃(CO-(R)₂}] (3a–c and 4a–b), were isolated utilizing a straightforward, 3-step route. The synthetic pathway began with a 1,2-diacyl cyclopentadiene (fulvene), followed by the formation of its corresponding thallium salt and transmetallation with the appropriate pentacarbonyl metal bromide. X-ray crystallographic analysis and high-accuracy mass spectrometry confirmed the structures of the both the 4-methoxyphenyl and 4-chlorophenyl diacyl rhenium complexes, [Re(CO)₃{η⁵-1,2-C₅H₃(CO-(4-OCH₃)C₆H₄)₂}] (4a) and [Re(CO)₃{η⁵-1,2-C₅H₃(CO-(4-Cl)C₆H₄)₂}] (4b). Diacyl complexes 3a–c and 4a–b were then ring-closed with hydrazine hydrate to form their corresponding pyridazine complexes, [M(CO)₃{η⁵-1,2-C₅H₃(1,4-(R)₂N₂C₂}] (5a–c and 6a–b), in good yields (60–83%). The pyridazyl ligands were found to be relatively labile, and recrystallization of the target complexes 5a–c and 6a–b afforded only the free pyridazine ligands.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,oxygen sensitivity,and antimicrobial activity of ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes with thiosemicarbazones

[Ru(CO)(PPh₃)₂(η³-O,N³,S-TSC¹)] (1), [Ru(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂(η²-N³,S-TSC²)] (2), and [Ru(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂(η²-N³,S-TSC³)] (3) have been prepared by reacting [Ru(H)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with the respective thiosemicarbazones TSC¹ (2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone), TSC² (3-hydroxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone), and TSC³ (3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) in a 1?:?1 M ratio in toluene and all of the complexes have been characterized by UV–vis, FT-IR, and ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The spectroscopic studies showed that TSC¹ is coordinated to the central metal as a tridendate ligand coordinating via the azomethine nitrogen (C=N), phenolic oxygen, and sulfur to ruthenium in 1, whereas TSC² and TSC³ are coordinated to ruthenium as a bidentate ligand through azomethine nitrogen (C=N) and sulfur in 2 and 3. Oxygen sensitivities of 1–3 and [Ru(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂(η²-N³,S-TSC⁴)] (4), and antimicrobial activities of 1–3 have been determined.     

The Thermolysis of [Ru3(CO)12] in Cyclohexene: Synthesis and Charaterisation of the New Clusters [Ru3H2(CO)9(μ3-η1:η2:η1-C6H8)] and [Ru5(CO)12(μ4-η2-C6H8)(η4-C6H8)]

Thermolysis of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] in cyclohexene for 24 h affords the complexes [Ru(CO)₃(η⁴-C₆H₈)] (1), [Ru₃H₂(CO)₉(μ₂-η¹:η²:η¹-C₆H₈)] (2), [Ru₄(CO)₁₂(μ₄-C₆H₈)] (3) [Ru₄(CO)₉(μ₄-C₆H₈)(η⁶-C₆H₆)] (4a and 4b, two isomers) and [Ru₅(CO)₁₂(μ₄-η²-C₆H₈)(η⁴-C₆H₈)] (5), where 1, 3, 4a and 4b have been previously characterised as products of the thermolysis of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with cyclohexa-1,3-diene. The molecular structures of the new clusters 2 and 5 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, showing that two conformational polymorphs of 5 exist in the solid state, differing in the orientation of the cyclohexa-1,3-diene ligand on a ruthenium vertex.