Chemistry of polynuclear compounds. Part XVII. Some carboxylate complexes of ruthenium and osmium carbonyls

Abstract

Dodecacarbonyltriruthenium reacts with certain carboxylic acids, RCO₂H (R = H, Me, Et, or n-C₉H₁₉), to give orange, polymeric compounds [Ru(CO)₂(RCO₂)]_n. The acetate complex reacts with carbon monoxide under mild conditions to produce a dimeric complex Ru₂(CO)₆(MeCO₂)₂. In the corresponding reactions with Os₃(CO)₁₂ analogous dimeric complexes are isolated in all cases and no evidence for the formation of polymeric dicarbonyl compounds has been found. In certain of these reactions the tetranuclear hydrides, H₄M₄(CO)₁₂, are produced as secondary products. The polymers and dimers react with ligands such as tertiary phosphines, triphenylarsine or pyridine to produce dimeric complexes of the type M₂(CO)₄(RCO₂)₂L₂. The n.m.r., i.r., and mass spectral data of these complexes are reported and discussed.