Synthesis and crystal structure of {(PPh3)(2)ClRu(mu-Cl)-Ru(PPh3)B10H7[OCH(CH3)(2)](3)} center dot 0.4(H2O)

The title compound has been synthesized by the reaction of [RuCl2 (PPh3)(3) ] and closo-[B10H10](2-) in (CH3)(2)CHOH solution. Crystals suitable for a single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis were obtained from n-pentane diff used to CH2Cl2 solution. The crystal {(PPh3)(2)ClRu(mu-Cl)Ru(PPh3)B10H7[OCH (CH3)(2)](3)} . 0. 4(H2O) is monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, M-r = 1359. 4 7, with a = 19. 434 (4), b = 14. 340 (4), c = 25. 865 (9) Angstrom, beta = 95. 48 (3)degrees, V = 7175 (4) Angstrom(3), D-c = 1. 258 g/cm(3), Z = 4, l ambda(MoK alpha) = 0. 71073 Angstrom, mu = 6. 03 cm(-1), F(000) = 2784, R = 0. 0631, wR(2) = 0. 1425, S = 1. 001. The title compound is a bimetallic s pecies in which the second ruthenium center is bound to the cluster {(PPh3) RuB10H7 [OCH(CH3)(2)](3)} via an Ru-Cl-Ru and two Ru-H-B-Ru bridges. The th ird isoproxy group replaces a hydrogen atom on B(10) of the cage, which ind icates the activity of the cage.