SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND BEHAVIOR OF HYDRIDORUTHENIUM CARBONYL CLUSTERS SUBSTITUTED WITH FUNCTIONALIZED PHOSPHINES IN THE PRESENCE OF HYDROGEN .1. H4RU4(CO)(8)[P(CH(2)OCOR)(3)](4) (R=CH3-, C2H5-, (CH3)(2)CH-, (CH3)(3)C-, (S)-C2H5CH(CH3)-)

The synthesis and characterization of phosphines containing ester grou ps P(CH(2)OCOR)(3) (R = CH3-, C2H5-, (CH3)(2)CH-, (CH3)(3)C-, (S)-C2H5 CH(CH3)-) are reported. The new hydridoruthenium complexes H4Ru4(CO)(8 )[P(CH(2)OCOR)(3)](4) (R = CH3-, C2H5-, (CH3)(2)CH-, (CH3)(3)C-, (S)-C 2H5CH(CH3)-) were synthesized and characterized. The structure of(+)-( S)-H4Ru4(CO)(8){P[CH2OCOCH(CH3)C2H5](3)}(4) was determined by X-ray di ffraction. The behavior of these complexes in hydrocarbon solution wit h hydrogen under pressure (130 atm) in the temperature range 25-130 de grees C has been investigated. The ester groups present in the ligand P(CH(2)OCOR)(3) are hydrogenated under mild conditions with formation of the corresponding alcohol RCH(2)OH.