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.