FORMATION OF H2RU6(CO)(17) FROM H2RU6(CO)(18) AN IMPROVED SYNTHESIS OF HRU6(CO)(17)B

Spontaneous decarbonylation of the octahedral cluster H2Ru6(CO)(18) pr oduces the bicapped tetrahedral cluster H2Ru6(CO)(17). The clusters H2 Ru6(CO)(18) and H2R6(CO)(17) have strikingly similar IR and H-1 NMR sp ectra. In appearance they are indistinguishable; both are deep purple in color. The decarbonylation reaction is partially reversible under l ow pressures of CO. Reaction of H2Ru6(CO)(17) with BH3S(CH3)(2) provid es an improved synthesis of HRu6(CO)(17)B, an octahedral cluster with a boron atom at the center of the Ru-6 core. HRu6(CO)(17)B reacts with excess CO at high pressures to produce HRu4(CO)(12)BH2 and ruthenabor ide clusters with pentanuclear metal cores that are proposed to be HRu 5(CO)(15)B and HRu5(CO)(16)B. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.