Mixed-metal cluster chemistry. Part 17. Syntheses of WIr3(CO)(11)(eta-C5H4Me) and its reactivity towards diphenylacetylene

The X-ray structurally confirmed tetrahedral mixed-metal cluster WIr3(CO)(1 1)(eta -C5H4Me) (1) is prepared in 8% yield from reactions between [W(CO)(3 )(eta -C5H4Me)] and IrCl(CO)(2)(p-toluidine) under an Ar atmosphere, and in 46% yield from reaction between WH(CO)(3)(eta -C5H4Me) and IrCl(CO)(2)(p-t oluidine) under a CO atmosphere; both reactions also afford tetrahedral W2I r2(CO)(1u)(eta -C5H4Me)(2) (2). Cluster I reacts with diphenylacetylene to afford three products, namely tetrahedral WIr3(mu (3)-eta (2)- PhC2Ph)(2)(C O)(7)(eta -C5H4Me) (3), butterfly WIr3{mu-eta (4)-C(Ph)C(Ph)C(Ph)C(Ph)}(CO) (5)(eta -C5H4Me) (4) and the binuclear product Ir-2{mu-eta (4)-C(Ph)C(Ph)C( Ph)C(Ph)}(CO)(5) (5); X-ray studies of 4 and 5 reveal a common (iridacyclop entadienyl)iridium structural motif. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.