Reaction of MeO2C(H)C=C=C(H)CO2Me with Ru3(CO)12. New diruthenium complexes with bridging carboxylate-substituted allene ligands

The reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with MeO₂C(H)C=C=C(H)CO₂ Me has yielded two isomeric productsanti-Ru₂(CO)₆μ-η ³-η ¹-MeO₂C(H)CCC(H)CO₂Me],1 in 70% yield andsyn-Ru₂(CO)₆μ-η ³-η ¹-MeO₂C(H)CCC(H)CO₂Me],2 in 5% yield. Both compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Both products are diruthenium complexes with bridging di(carboxylate)allene ligands in which the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group of one of the carboxylate groupings is coordinated to one of the metal atoms. Compound1 isomerizes partially to2 at 68°C. Crystal Data for1: space group=P2₁/n,a=11.131(1) Å,b=10.228(2) Å,c=15.978(2) Å,β=102.01(1)°,Z=4, 1653 reflections,R=0.025; for2: space group=P $\bar 1$ ,a=9.340(1) Å,b=14.925(4) Å,c=6.778(2) Å,α=99-02(2)°,β=104 62(2)°,γ=94.58(2)°,Z=2, 1857 reflections,R=0.027.