Reactions of {Ru₃(μ-PPh₂)(CO)9}₂(μ₃:μ₃-C₄) with H+/H- or H₂ to Yield Penta- and Hexa-Nuclear Cluster Compounds

Abstract

Addition of K[BHBus3] to {Ru3(µ-PPh2)(CO)9}2(µ3:µ3-C4) (1), followed by acidification, is proposed to give {Ru3H(µ-PPh2)(CO)9}2(µ3:µ3-C=CHCH=C) (2), in which hydrogen atoms have added to each cluster unit and to the C4 fragment of (1) to give a bis(vinylidene) ligand. The osmium analogue has also been prepared. In contrast, the reaction with dihydrogen results in the pentanuclear complex Ru3{µ3:µ-C2C2[Ru2(µ-PPh2)(CO)6]}(µ- PPh2)(CO)9 (3), by cleavage of an Ru(CO)3 fragment from (1).