Bis-ethanedithiolate triruthenium cluster complexes from the reaction of Ru3(CO)12 with 1,2,5, 6-tetrathiacyclooctane

The reaction of 1,2,5,6-tetrathiacyclooctane with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in methylene chloride solvent at 40°C has yielded two new isomericbis-thane-1,2-dithiolate triruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes:anti-Ru₃(CO)₇(-SCH₂CH₂S)₂, 1 andsyn-Ru₃(CO)₇(-SCH₂CH₂S)₂,2, and the previously reported diruthenium compound, Ru₂(CO)₆(-SCH₂CH₂S).3 in 24 %, 5 %, and 26 % yields, respectively. Compounds1 and2 were characterized by a single crystal X-ray diflraction analyses. Both compounds consist of a open triangular triruthenium clusters with seven terminal carbonyl ligands and a bridging ethanedithiolate ligand across each of the metal metal bonds in the complex. When heated to 60° C, compound1 was trans[formed into a mixture of2 and3. Crystallographic data for1: Ru₃S₄O₇C₁₁H₈, space group, P2₁/a,a= ll.830(2)A,b= 10.576(1)A,c= 16.012(1)A,= 100.53(2)°,Z=4, 1808 reflections,R= 0.029. For2: Ru₃ S₄O₇C₁₁H₈, space group P1,a= 9.945(l)A,b= 11.323(1)A.c= 9,788(1)A,a= 108.73(1)°,= 104,67(1)°,y= 103.59(2)°,Z = 2, 2046 rellections.R = 0.021.