Intramolecular rearrangement of the bridging σ,π-acetylide ligand in the Os3H(CO)9(L)(μ-η2-CCPh) (L = CO,PMe2Ph) clusters and crystal structure of Os3H(CO)9(PMe2Ph)(μ-η2-CCPh)

Clusters Os₃H(Cl)(CO)₉(L) (L= CO, PMe₂Ph) react with lithium phenyl-acetylide to yield Os₃H(CO)₉(L)(μ-η²-CCPh),which has a bridging acetylide ligand. The Os₃H(CO)₁₀(μ-η²-CCPh) complex (II) is fluxional owing to rapid π → σ, σ → π interchange of acetylide ligand between the bridged osmium atoms, whereas the phosphine-substituted derivative, Os₃H(CO)₉(PM₂Ph)(μ-η²-CCPh) (III), is stereochemically rigid and exists at room temperature in two isomeric forms. These isomers have been isolated as solids and have been characterized by ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. According to the spectroscopic data, in the major (IIIa) and minor (IIIb) isomers the phosphine ligand is coordinated to the metal atom which is σ- or π-bonded to the bridging acetylide group, respectively. The isomerization of IIIb into IIIa occurs only at 80°C. The structure of IIIa has been confirmed by an X-ray diffraction study.