A comparative study of the reactivity of unsaturated triosmium clusters [Os3(CO)8{μ3-Ph2PCH2P(Ph)C6H4}(μ-H)] and [Os3(CO)9{μ3-η-C7H3(2-Me)NS}(μ-H)] with BuNC

Treatment of unsaturated [Os₃(CO)₈{μ₃-Ph₂PCH₂P(Ph)C₆H₄}(μ-H)] (2) with ^tBuNC at room temperature gives [Os₃(CO)₈(CNBu^t)){μ₃-Ph₂PCH₂P(Ph)C₆H₄}(μ-H)] (3) which on thermolysis in refluxing toluene furnishes [Os₃(CO)₇(CNBu^t){μ₃-Ph₂PCHP(Ph)C₆H₄}(μ-H)₂] (4). Reaction of the labile complex [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-dppm)(NCMe)] (5) with ^tBuNC at room temperature affords the substitution product [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-dppm)(CNBu^t)] (6). Thermolysis of 6 in refluxing toluene gives 4. On the other hand, the reaction of unsaturated [Os₃(CO)₉{μ₃-η²-C₇H₃(2-Me)NS}(μ-H)] (7) with ^tBuNC yields the addition product [Os₃(CO)₉(CNBu^t){μ-η²-C₇H₃(2-Me)NS}(μ-H)] (8) which on decarbonylation in refluxing toluene gives unsaturated [Os₃(CO)₈(CNBu^t){μ₃-η²-C₇H₃(2-Me)NS}(μ-H)] (9). Compound 9 reacts with PPh₃ at room temperature to give the adduct [Os₃(CO)₈(PPh₃)(CNBu^t){μ-η²-C₇H₃(2-Me)NS(μ-H)] (10). Compound 8 exists as two isomers in solution whereas 10 occurs in four isomeric forms. The molecular structures of 3, 6, 8, and 10 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

The photochemical and thermal reactions of a triosmium cluster carrying a γ-pyrone ligand with alkynes

The reaction of the cluster Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-γ-C₅H₃O₂) (1) with a number of alkynes under thermal or visible light irradiation conditions, afforded in most cases the dinuclear complexes Os₂(CO)₆(μ-γ-C₅H₃O₂)(μ-LH) (L=PhCCPh, ^tBuCCH, ^tBuCCMe or EtCCEt) (2) or the trinuclear chain complexes Os₃(CO)₉(μ-H)(μ-γ-C₅H₃O₂)(μ-RCCHC₆H₄) (R=H, Ph) (3). In the case of PhCCPh, a new isomer of Os₃(CO)₈(PhCCPh)₂, viz., Os₃(CO)₈(μ-PhCCPh)(μ-PhCCHC₆H₄) (7) has been isolated and characterised.     

Reactivity of [Os3(CO)10(NCMe)2] and [Os3(CO)10(μ-Cl)(μ-AuPPh3)] with 4-mercaptopyridine: X-ray structure of [Os3(CO)10(μ-H)(μ-SC5H4N)] and [Os3(CO)10(μ-AuPPh3)(μ-SC5H4N)]

The compound [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-Cl)(μ-AuPPh₃)] (2) was prepared from the reaction between [Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂] (1) and [AuClPPh₃] under mild conditions. The reaction of 2 with 4-mercaptopyridine (4-pyS) ligand yielded compounds [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-SC₅H₄N)] (4), formed by isolobal replacement of the fragment [AuPPh₃]⁺ by H⁺ and [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-AuPPh₃)(μ-SC₅H₄N)] (5). [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-SC₅H₄N)] (4) was also obtained by substitution of two acetonitrile ligands in the activated cluster 1 by 4-pyS, at room temperature in dichloromethane. Compounds 2-5 were characterized spectroscopically and the molecular structures of 4 and 5 in the solid state were obtained by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Reaction of tri(2-furyl)phosphine with triosmium clusters: C-H and P-C activation to afford furyne and phosphinidene ligands

Addition of tri(2-furyl)phosphine, PFu₃, to [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)₂] at room temperature gives [HOs₃(CO)₁₀(PFu₃)(μ-H)] (1), while in refluxing toluene the same reactants afford [Os₃(CO)₉{μ₃-PFu₂(C₄H₂O)}(μ-H)] (2) resulting from orthometallatation of a furyl ring. Reaction of PFu₃ with [Os₃(CO)_10−n(NCMe)_n] (n = 0, 1, 2) affords the substituted clusters [Os₃(CO)_12−n(PFu₃)_n] (n = 1-3) (3-5), the phosphine ligands occupying equatorial position in all cases. Heating [Os₃(CO)₁₁(PFu₃)] (3) in refluxing octane gives [Os₃(CO)₉(μ₃-PFu)(μ₃-η²-C₄H₂O)] (6) which results from both carbon-hydrogen and carbon-phosphorus bond activation and contains both μ₃-η²-furyne and furylphosphinidene ligands. All new clusters have been characterized by spectroscopic methods together with single crystal X-ray diffraction for 2, 3 and 6.     

Complexation and C-H bond activation of 1,5-cyclooctadiene on triosmium carbonyl clusters

Reaction of Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ and 1,5-cyclooctadiene (C₈H₁₂) affords the diene complex Os₃(CO)₁₀(η⁴-C₈H₁₂) (1) with the two alkene moieties coordinated to an equatorial and an axial positions of one osmium atom. Thermolysis of 1 in refluxing n-hexane results in a vinylic C-H bond activation to form (μ-H)Os₃(CO)₉(μ,η⁴-C₈H₁₁) (2) in good isolated yield. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been established by an X-ray diffraction study.     

Activation of 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane by Os3(CO)12 to form amidino [(MeN)2CH] cluster complexes

Reaction of 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane [(MeNCH₂)₃] with Os₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing toluene results in C-H and C-N bond activation of the (MeNCH₂)₃ ligand to afford three amidino cluster complexes (μ-H)Os₃(CO)₁₀[μ,η²-CH(NMe)₂] (1), (μ-H)Os₃(CO)₉[μ₃,η²-CH(NMe)₂] (2), and Os₂(CO)₆[μ,η²-CH(NMe)₂]₂ (3). The controlled experiments show that thermolysis of 1 yields 2, and heating 2 in the presence of (MeNCH₂)₃ ligand produces 3. The molecular structures of 1 and 3 have been determined by an X-ray diffraction study.     

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.     

Complexation and C-H bond activation of 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridyl molecules on triosmium carbonyl clusters: Synthesis and characterization of the double-cluster {Cp3Fe4(CO)4(C5H4-terpyridyl)Os3(μ-H)(CO)n} (n = 9, 10)

Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(4′-C₅H₄-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) (abbreviated as Fe₄tpyH) reacts with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ in hot methylcyclohexane to generate the double cluster (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η²-Fe₄tpy)(CO)₁₀ (1) and (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η³-Fe₄tpy)(CO)₉ (2). Similar reaction of 4′-(p-FC₆H₄)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (abbreviated as FtpyH) and Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ affords (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η²-Ftpy)(CO)₁₀ (3) and (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η³-Ftpy)(CO)₉ (4). On the other hand, treating the pristine molecule 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (abbreviated as TpyH) with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ only isolates (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η²-Tpy)(CO)₁₀ (5). These compounds are generated by complexation and C-H bond activation of pyridyl groups on triosmium framework, and have been characterized by IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopies. The structure of 4 is determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

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).     

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.     

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.     

Reactions of benzothiazolide triosmium clusters with tetramethylthiourea

The valence saturated benzothiazolide triosmium cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-η²-C₇H₄NS)(μ-H)] (1) reacts with tetramethylthiourea in refluxing toluene to give [Os₃(CO)₈(μ-η²-C₇H₄NS)(η²-SCNMe₂NMeCH₂)(μ-H)₂] (5), which exists as a mixture of two isomers in solution, whereas the electron-deficient cluster [Os₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-C₇H₄NS)(μ-H)] (2) reacts with tetramethylthiourea in refluxing cyclohexane to give two new compounds [Os₃(CO)₈(μ-η²-C₇H₄NS)(η²-SCNMe₂NMeCH₂)(μ-H)₂] (6) and [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-η²-C₇H₄NS)(η¹-SC(NMe₂)₂)(μ-H)] (7). In contrast, the reaction of [Os₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-C₇H₃(2-CH₃)NS)(μ-H)](3) with tetramethylthiourea in refluxing cyclohexane at 81 °C, gives only [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-η²-C₇H₃(2-CH₃)NS)(η¹-SC(NMe₂)₂)(μ-H)] (8) in 15% yield. Compound 7 converts into 6 in refluxing toluene whereas a similar thermolysis of 8 results non-specific decomposition. All the compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR and mass spectroscopic data together with single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for 5 and 7. Both compounds 5 and 6 contain a cyclometallated tetramethylthiourea ligand which is chelating at the rear osmium atom and are structurally very similar. In 5, the benzothiazolide ligand is coordinated to Os₃ triangle via the nitrogen lone pair and C(2) carbon atom of the heterocyclic ring whereas in 6 the ligand is coordinated to the Os₃ triangle via the nitrogen lone pair and the C(7) carbon atom of carbocyclic ring. In 7 and 8, the tetramethylthiourea ligand is coordinated at an equatorial site of the osmium atom which is also bound to the nitrogen atom of the benzothiazolide ligand.     

The activation and transformations of acenaphthylene by osmium carbonyl cluster complexes

The reaction of Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ (1) with an excess of acenaphthylene at room temperature provided the complex Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-η²-C₁₂H₇) (2). Compound 2 contains a σ-π coordinated acenaphthyl ligand bridging an edge of the cluster. Compound 2 was converted to the complex Os₃(CO)₉(μ-H)₂(μ₃-η²-C₁₂H₆) (3) when heated to reflux in a cyclohexane solution. Compound 3 contains a triply bridging acenaphthyne ligand. Compound 3 reacts with acenaphthylene again at 160 °C to yield four new cluster complexes: Os₄(CO)₁₂(μ₄-η²:η²-C₁₂H₆) (4); Os₂(CO)₆(μ-η⁴-C₂₄H₁₂) (5); Os₃(CO)₉(μ-H)(μ₃-η⁴-C₂₄H₁₃) (6); and Os₂(CO)₅(μ-η⁴-C₂₄H₁₂)(η²-C₁₂H₈) (7). All compounds were characterized crystallographically. Compound 4 is a butterfly cluster of four osmium atoms bridged by a single acenaphthyne ligand. Compounds 5 and 7 are dinuclear osmium clusters containing metallacycles formed by the coupling of two equivalents of acenaphthyne. Compound 6 is a triosmium cluster formed by the coupling of an acenaphthyne ligand to an acenapthyl group that is coordinated to the cluster through a combination of σ and π-bonding.     

Solution properties, electrochemical behavior and protein interactions of water soluble triosmium carbonyl clusters

The synthesis and solution chemistry of the water soluble clusters [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-η²-Bz)(μ-H)L⁺] (HBz=quinoxaline, L⁺=[P(OCH₂CH₂NMe₃)₃I₃], 1) along with its negatively charged analog [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-η²-Bz)(μ-H)L⁻] (L⁻=[P(C₆H₄SO₃)₃Na₃], 2) are reported. In addition, we have examined the reduction potentials of the complexes [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-η²-Bz)(μ-H)L] (HBz=phenanthridine, L=L⁺ (3); HBz=5,6 benzoquinoline, L=L⁺ (4); HBz=3-amino quinoline, L=L⁺ (5); HBz=3-amino quinoline, L=L⁻ (6). The neutral analog of 1 and 2 [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-η²-Bz)(μ-H) PPh₃] (Bz=quinoxaline, 7) was also examined for comparison. Both compounds 1 and 2 show pH dependent NMR spectra that are interpreted in terms of the extent of protonation of the uncoordinated quinoxaline nitrogen which impacts the degree of aggregation of the clusters in aqueous solution. Compound 1 undergoes a reversible 1e⁻ reduction in water while 2 undergoes a quasi-reversible 1e⁻ reduction at more negative potentials as expected from the difference in charge on the phosphine ligand. Compound 7 undergoes a marginally reversible CV in methylene chloride at a potential intermediate between the positively and negatively charged clusters. The overall stability of the radical anions of 1, 2 and 7 is somewhat less than the corresponding decacarbonyl [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-η²-Bz)(μ-H)] (HBz=quinoxaline). While complexes 1 and 2 show reversible 1e⁻ reductions, all the other complexes examined show 1e⁻ and/or two 1e⁻ irreversible reductions in aqueous and non-aqueous solvents. The potentials for these complexes follow expected trends relating to the charge on the phosphine and the pH of the aqueous solutions. The ligand dependent trends are compared with those of the previously reported corresponding decacarbonyls. The interactions of the positively and negatively charged clusters with albumin have been investigated using the transverse and longitudinal relaxation times of the hydride resonances as probes of binding to the protein. Evidence of binding is observed for both the positive and negative clusters but the positive and negative clusters exhibit distinctly different rotational correlation times. Two additional complexes [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-η²-Bz)(μ-H)L] (HBz=2-methylbenzimidazole, L=L⁺ (8); L=L⁻ (10) and HBz=quinoline-4-carboxaldehyde, L=L⁺ (9); L=L⁻ (11)) are reported in connection with these 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.     

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.     

Complexation and metallation of Ph2PCC(CH2)5CCPh2 in triosmium carbonyl clusters

Reaction of Ph₂PCC(CH₂)₅CCPh₂ with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ affords Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ,η²-(Ph₂P)₂C₉H₁₀) (1) and the double cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀]₂(μ,η²- (Ph₂P)₂C₉H₁₀)₂ (2), through coordination of the phosphine groups. Thermolysis of 1 in toluene generates Os₃(CO)₇(μ-PPh₂)(μ₃,η⁵-Ph₂PC₉H₁₀) (3) and Os₃(CO)₈(μ-PPh₂)(μ₃,η⁶-Ph₂P(C₉H₁₀)CO) (4). The molecular structures of 1, 3, and 4 have been determined by an X-ray diffraction study. Both 3 and 4 contain a bridging phosphido group and a carbocycle connected to an osmacyclopentadienyl ring, which are apparently derived from C-P bond activation and C-C bond rearrangement of the dpndy ligand governed by the triosmium clusters.     

Microwave Promoted Oxidative Addition Reactions of Os3(CO)12: Efficient Syntheses of Triosmium Clusters of the Type Os3(μ-X)2(CO)10 and Os3(μ-H)(μ-OR)(CO)10

Microwave heating allows for the high-yield, one-step synthesis of the known triosmium complexes Os₃(μ-Br)₂(CO)₁₀ (1), Os₃(μ-I)₂(CO)₁₀ (2), and Os₃(μ-H)(μ-OR)(CO)₁₀ with R = methyl (3), ethyl (4), isopropyl (5), n-butyl (6), and phenyl (7). In addition, the new clusters Os₃(μ-H)(μ-OR)(CO)₁₀ with R = n-propyl (8), sec-butyl (9), isobutyl (10), and tert-butyl (11) are synthesized in a microwave reactor. The preparation of these complexes is easily accomplished without the need to first prepare an activated derivative of Os₃(CO)₁₂, and without the need to exclude air from the reaction vessel. The syntheses of complexes 1 and 2 are carried out in less than 15 min by heating stoichiometric mixtures of Os₃(CO)₁₂ and the appropriate halogen in cyclohexane. Clusters 3–6 and 8–10 are prepared by the microwave irradiation of Os₃(CO)₁₂ in neat alcohols, while clusters 7 and 11 are prepared from mixtures of Os₃(CO)₁₂, alcohol and 1,2-dichlorobenzene. Structural characterization of clusters 2, 4, and 5 was carried out by X-ray crystallographic analysis. High resolution X-ray crystal structures of two other oxidative addition products, Os₃(CO)₁₂I₂ (12) and Os₃(μ-H)(μ-O₂CC₆H₅)(CO)₁₀ (13), are also presented.     

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.