Synthesis, catalytic activity and the molecular structure of (μ3-CCH3)Co3(CO)7-μ-(Ph2PCH2PPh2)

Reaction of (μ₃-CCH₃)CO₃(CO)₉ (I) with dppm (dppm = bis-(diphenylphosphino)methane) affords the cluster (μ₃-CCH₃)Co₃(CO)₇-dppm (II). The crystal and molecular structure of II have been determined at −160°C. The dppm ligand bridges one of the three metal—metal edges in the equatorial plane to give a five-membered ring, which adopts an envelope conformation.

Cluster II functions as a catalyst for the hydroformylation of 1-pentene (80 bar of H₂/CO (1/1); 110°C). The results indicate that the dppm bridging ligand stabilizes and activates the cluster for catalysis, and open the way to the synthesis of chiral clusters.