The cluster–surface analogy: the interaction of norbornene and norbornadiene with low-nuclearity ruthenium carbonyl clusters

Abstract

The thermolysis of [Ru3(CO)12] with norbornene (nbe) and norbornadiene (nbd) leads to the tri- and tetra-ruthenium clusters, [(µ-H)2Ru3(CO)9(µ3-η1:η2:η1-C7H8)] 1 and [Ru4(CO)11(µ4-η1:η1:η2-η2-η2C7H6)] 2, respectively; the molecular structures of both clusters show organo-cluster interactions similar to the proposed organo-surface adsorption modes found on the Pt(111) surface, in which the bicyclic ring straddles a trimetallic face, coordinating through one alkenic bond and an agostic C–H⋯M interaction.