Abstract

The reaction between Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and ethyne (refluxing tetrahydrofuran, 2 h) produced four binuclear complexes, Ru₂(CO)_m(C₂H₂)_n [m = 4,n= 4 (1); m = 5,n= 4 (3); m = 7,n= 2 (2), 4 (4)], in low yield. The molecular structure of (1) has been determined by X-ray crystallography and consists of an Ru₂(CO)₄ group bridged by a C₈H₈ chain, attached in the µ−η¹ ,η⁴ :η¹ ,η⁴ mode. Structures for the other three complexes are suggested on the basis of their i.r. and mass spectra and similarities with analogous ruthenium complexes obtained from other alkynes.