REACTION OF RUTHENIUM(II) AND OSMIUM(II) HYDRIDES WITH ANHYDROUS HF

The reactions of anhydrous HF with the ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) hy dride complexes [MH2(CO)(x)(PPh3)(y)] (M = Ru or Os; x = y = 2; x = 1, y = 3) have been studied. For [OC-6-13][MH2(CO)(2)(PPh3)(2)], elimina tion of dihydrogen affords the previously described [OC-6-13][MF2(CO)( 2)(PPh3)(2)]. For [OC-6-13][MH2(CO)(PPh3)(3)], elimination of dihydrog en is accompanied by loss of one phosphine ligand and aggregation to g ive the novel, triply fluoride-bridged, dinuclear, [M-2(mu-F)(3)(CO)(2 )(PPh3)(4)][HF2]; anion exchange with Na[BPh4] afford air-stable produ cts These complexes have been characterised by mass spectrometry, NMR, IR and metal-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectrosco pies which confirm their dinuclear structures.