Chemistry of polynuclear compounds. Part XIV. Hexanuclear carbidocarbonylruthenium compounds

Abstract

The compounds Ru₆C(CO)₁₇ and Ru₆C(CO)₁₄(arene)(arene = Me₃C₆H₃, m-Me₂C₆H₄, or MeC₆H₅) have been prepared by the reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with the appropriate arene. The parent carbonyl Ru₆C(CO)₁₇ has also been prepared by heating Ru₃(CO)₁₂ under reflux in n-octane or n-nonane. The hydrides H₂Ru₄(CO)₁₃ and β-H₄Ru₄(CO)₁₂ were also products of this reaction indicating that hydrogen abstraction from the alkane has occurred. On the basis of mass spectral studies the new compounds are formulated as ‘carbide’ compounds of the class first exemplified by Fe₅(CO)₁₅C. Their n.m.r. and i.r. specrta are discussed in the light of the known structure of the mesitylene compound.