The reaction of [H4Ru4(CO)12] with 1-penten-3-yne: dimerization and trimerization through the triple bonds

The clusters [Ru4(μ-CO)(CO)10(μ4-η1:η2:η1:η2-C5H6)2] (1), [Ru4(CO)8(μ4-η4:η1:η1:η1:η3-C10H12)(μ3-η3:η2:η1-C5H6)] (2) and [Ru4(CO)10(μ4-η4:η1:η1:η3:η1-C15H16)] (3) have been prepared from the reaction of [H4Ru4(CO)12] with 1-penten-3-yne. This reaction is observed to proceed with dimerization and trimerization through the triple bonds. The products were characterized spectroscopically by 1H- and 13C-NMR. X-ray crystal structures of compounds 1 and 2 are also described.