Cluster chemistry. Reactions between metal carbonyl clusters and Lewis bases initiated by radical ions: improved syntheses of substituted derivatives of M3and M4 clusters(M = Fe, Ru, Os or Co)

Abstract

Addition of catalytic amounts of Ph₂Co˙^–to a mixture of the appropriate cluster with stoicheiometric amounts of Lewis base in tetrahydrofuran gave the substituted derivatives [Fe₃(CO)₁₁(L)],[Ru₃(CO)_12–n(L)_n],[Os₃(CO)₁₁(L)], and [H₄Ru₄(CO)_12–n(L)_n][n= 1–3; L = Bu^tNC,PR₃,P(OR)₃]in greatly improved yields.