SOME AU3RU3 CLUSTERS - X-RAY STRUCTURES OF RU-3(MU(3)-CMECHCME)(CO)(8)(AU-3(PPH3)(3)) AND RU-3(MU(3)-C2PH)(CO)(8)(AU-3(PPH3)(3))

Several clusters containing Au3Ru3 cores have been made from reactions between hydrido-triruthenium clusters or AuRu3 clusters and [O{Au(PPh 3)}(3)][BF4]. In the former case, the Au-3(PPh3)(3) group acts as a th ree-electron donor, replacing (H + CO). The molecular structures of Ru -3(mu(3)-CMeCHCMe)(CO)(8){Au-3(PPh3)(3)} (4) and Ru-3(mu(3)-C2Ph)(CO)( 8){Au-3(PPh3)(3)} (13) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Comparisons are made between the parent Ru-3 clusters and their aurate d derivatives, which may contain open (bent) or closed triangular Au3P 3 moieties, according to whether there is more or less electron densit y on the cluster. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.