Conversion of the cluster core structure via CO elimination and activation of the coordinated hydrocarbon ligand. Synthesis and reactions of WOs3Cp(CO)10(CMeCMeCCPh)

Abstract

Reaction of WCp(CO)₃CCPh with Os₃(CO)₁₀(C₂Me₂) produced the butterfly cluster WOs₃Cp(CO)₁₀(CMeCMeCCPh)1 in moderate yield; treatment of 1 with Me₃NO followed by thermolysis in refluxing toluene yielded the spiked triangular cluster WOs₃Cp(CO)₉(µ-H)[CMeCMeCC(µ₂-η²-C₆H₄)]3 as a major product; on further thermolysis, complex 3 reconverted to a butterfly cluster WOs₃Cp(CO)₉[CMeCMeCHC(µ₂-η²-C₆H₄)]5 and then to a tetrahedral cluster WOs₃Cp(CO)₈[CMeCMeCHC(µ₂-η²-C₆H₄)]6via hydride migration followed by loss of CO; the structures of complexes 3, 5 and 6 have been determined by X-ray diffraction.