Synthesis, characterization and molecular structure of two Ru4 clusters with β-alkylstyrene ligands

Abstract

The ruthenium clusters [Ru₄(CO)₁₀(C₉H₁₀)]1 and [Ru₄(CO)₁₀(C₁₀H₁₂)]2 have been obtained together with other products from the reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with allylbenzene or 4-phenylbut-1-ene respectively in octane under reflux. Their molecular structures have been elucidated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. That of 1 exhibits two co-ordination isomers in the solid state for the facial bonded ligand. Force–field calculations on each isomer revealed a small energy difference between them.