THE THERMAL AND PHOTOCHEMICAL-REACTIONS OF [RU3(CO)12] WITH TETRAETHYLDIPHOSPHITE - X-RAY STRUCTURE OF [RU3(CO)10(MU-(ETO)2POP(OET)2)]

The thermal reaction (70°C) of [Ru3(CO)12] with tetraethyldiphosphite [(EtO)2POP(OEt)2, tedip] (1/1 equivalent ratio) gives a mixture of at least five compounds which includes [Ru3(CO)10(μ- tedip)] (1), [Ru3(CO)8(μ-tedip)2] (2)and [Ru3- (CO)6(μ-tedip)3] (3). However, under photochemical conditions (10 °C, mercury lamp) only [Ru3(CO)10- (μ-tedip)] was produced. With higher proportions of tedip both the thermal and photochemical routes give mixtures of 1, 2 and 3 along with other unidentified products. Complex 2 could not be separated pure in any case. The structure of complex 1 has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods; it is similar to that of [Ru3(CO)12] in which two equatorial carbonyl groups have been replaced by the two P atoms of the tedip ligand. © 1990.