Reactions of Ru3(CO)12 with ethyne: molecular structure of Ru2(m-h1,h4:h1,h4-C8H8)(CO)4

Abstract

The reaction between Ru3(CO)12 and ethyne (refluxing tetrahydrofuran, 2 h) produced four binuclear complexes, Ru2(CO)m(C2H2)n [m = 4,n= 4 (1); m = 5,n= 4 (3); m = 7,n= 2 (2), 4 (4)], in low yield. The molecular structure of (1) has been determined by X-ray crystallography and consists of an Ru2(CO)4 group bridged by a C8H8 chain, attached in the µ−η1 ,η4 :η1 ,η4 mode. Structures for the other three complexes are suggested on the basis of their i.r. and mass spectra and similarities with analogous ruthenium complexes obtained from other alkynes.