Reversible π-coordination of triallylphosphine in a trinuclear ruthenium carbonyl cluster

The triallylphosphine-substituted clusters [Ru3(CO)11{P(CH2CHCH2)3}], [Ru3(CO)10{P(CH2CHCH2)3}2] and [Ru3(CO)10{σ;π-CH2CHCH2P(CH2CHCH2)2}] have been prepared; reaction of [Ru3(CO)10{σ;π-CH2CHCH2P(CH2CHCH2)2}] with phosphines/phosphites leads to cleavage of the Ru–allyl π-bond and formation of [Ru3(CO)11{P(CH2CHCH2)3}(PR3)].