Cluster chemistry. Stepwise hydrogenation of an acetylide ligand to carbon and methyl on a Ru5 cluster. X-Ray structures of [Ru5(µ-H)(µ5-CCHPPh2)(µ-PPh2)(CO)13] and [Ru5C(µ-H)3(µ-PPh2)(CO)11(PMePh2)]

Abstract

Hydrogenation of [Ru₅(C₂PPh₂)(µ-PPh₂)(CO)₁₃] proceeds stepwise with absorption of three molecules of H₂ and successive formation of pentanuclear cluster complexes containing µ₅-vinylidene, -methylidyne, and -carbide ligands; the net reaction is an unusual conversion of the µ-C₂PPh₂ ligand into carbon and MePPh₂.