The thermal and photochemical reactions of [Ru 3(CO) 12] with tetraethyldiphosphite. X-ray structure of [Ru 3(CO) 10{μ-(EtO) 2POP(OEt) 2}

Abstract

The thermal reaction (70°C) of [Ru 3(CO) 12] with tetraethyldiphosphite [(EtO) 2POP(OEt) 2, tedip] (1/1 equivalent ratio) gives a mixture of at least five compounds which includes [Ru 3(CO) 10(μ- tedip)] (1), [Ru 3(CO) 8(μ-tedip) 2] (2)and [Ru 3- (CO) 6(μ-tedip) 3] (3). However, under photochemical conditions (10 °C, mercury lamp) only [Ru 3(CO) 10- (μ-tedip)] was produced. With higher proportions of tedip both the thermal and photochemical routes give mixtures of 1, 2 and 3 along with other unidentified products. Complex 2 could not be separated pure in any case. The structure of complex 1 has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods; it is similar to that of [Ru 3(CO) 12] in which two equatorial carbonyl groups have been replaced by the two P atoms of the tedip ligand.