Cluster chemistry. Part 19. Crystal and molecular structures of the complexes [Ru3(CO)11{P(C6H11)3}], [Ru3(CO)10{P(OMe)3}2], and [Ru3(CO)9(PMe3)3]: two examples of disordered metal cores within ordered ligand atom polyhedra

Abstract

The crystal and molecular structures of the title complexes are reported. Crystals of the complex [Ru₃(CO)₁₁{P(C₆H₁₁)₃}] are triclinic, space group P, with a= 17.58(1), b= 17.50(1), c= 12.023(8)Å, α= 69.80(5), β= 88.19(5), γ= 82.32(5)°, and Z= 4. Refinement of 7 382 data gave residuals R,R′= 0.042, 0.049. Crystals of [Ru₃(CO)₁₀{P(OMe)₃}₂] are triclinic, space group P, with a= 10.569(4), b= 8.588(3), c= 8.362(3)Å, α= 68.45(3), β= 83.07(3), γ= 77.06(3)°, and Z= 1. Refinement of 2 773 data gave R,R′= 0.039, 0.048. Crystals of [Ru₃(CO)₉(PMe₃)₃] are monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, with a= 20.474(9), b= 12.339(5), c= 11.976(6)Å, β= 90.80(4)°, and Z= 4. Refinement of 5 014 data gave R,R′= 0.037, 0.046. All complexes contain an Ru₃ core bearing the tertiary phosphine or phosphite ligands in equatorial positions on different metal atoms. The P(OMe)₃ and PMe₃ complexes are disordered according to a model in which the central Ru₃ cluster occupies two positions related by a 60° rotation about the inversion centre, while the peripheral atom polyhedron (constructed from the O of CO, and P of the phosphite or phosphine) remains essentially unchanged.