Synthesis, molecular and crystal structures of arene derivatives of [Ru6C(CO)17]

Abstract

The complexes [Ru₆C(CO)₁₄(η⁶-C₆H₄Me₂-1,3)]1, [Ru₆C(CO)₁₄(η⁶-C₆H₃Et₃-1,3,5)]2 and [Ru₆C(CO)₁₄(µ₃-η²:η²:η²-C₁₆H₁₆)]3 have been prepared from the reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] and the appropriate arene. The molecular and crystal structures of the three derivatives have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Complexes 1 and 2 carry the arene fragment bound in a terminal fashion. Crystalline 1 contains two independent molecules showing different rotameric conformations of the xylene ligands. The [2.2]paracyclophane complex 3 provides the first example of a mono(arene) derivative of [Ru₆C(CO)₁₇] to contain the µ₃-η²:η²:η²-bonding mode. The molecular organization in the crystal structures of 1, 2 and 3 was also determined.