Some Au3Ru3 clusters.: X-ray structures of Ru3(μ3-CMeCHCMe)(CO)8{Au3(PPh3)3} and Ru3(μ3-C2Ph)(CO)8{Au3(PPh3)3}

Several clusters containing Au3Ru3 cores have been made from reactions between hydrido-triruthenium clusters or AuRu3 clusters and [O{Au(PPh3)}(3)][BF4]. In the former case, the Au-3(PPh3)(3) group acts as a three-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 aurated derivatives, which may contain open (bent) or closed triangular Au3P3 moieties, according to whether there is more or less electron density on the cluster. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.