Non-polymeric diruthenium(II,III) carboxylates. Crystal structures of [Ru2Cl(µ-O2CCMe3)4(H2O)] and [Ru2Cl(µ-O2CCHMe2)4(thf)](thf = tetrahydrofuran)

Abstract

The reaction of [Ru₂Cl(µ-O₂CMe)₄] with trimethylacetic acid and isobutyric acid in methanol–water gave [Ru₂Cl(µ-O₂CCMe₃)₄(H₂O)]1 and [Ru₂Cl(µ-O₂CCHMe₂)₄(H₂O)]2 respectively. Recrystallization of these compounds from tetrahydrofuran (thf) led to [Ru₂Cl(µ-O₂CCMe₃)₄(thf)]3 and [Ru₂Cl(µ-O₂CCHMe₂)₄(thf)]4, which lose thf giving [Ru₂Cl(µ-O₂CCMe₃)₄]5 and [Ru₂Cl(µ-O₂CCHMe₂)₄]6. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, conductivity and magnetic measurements; the crystal structures of 1 and 4 were determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Complex 1 has two ruthenium atoms bridged by four trimethylacetato ligands, one axial position being occupied by a chlorine atom and the other by a water molecule. Complex 4 has a similar structure with one chlorine atom and one thf molecule occupying the axial positions. Thus, in both cases the crystal structure determination shows the non-polymeric nature, the first examples for compounds of this type with alkanecarboxylate ligands.