An unusual Cu2Ru2 cluster containing a tetrameric phenylethynyl ligand

The reaction between RuCl(PPh3)2Cp∗ and {Cu(CCPh)}n in refluxing benzene afforded Ru2Cu2(C2Ph)5H2(Cl)(PPh3)Cp∗2, which contains an unusual tetramer of the phenylethynyl group which interacts with an Ru…Cu…Cu…Ru chain. The second Ru atom is part of a ruthenocenyl moiety which interacts weakly with the second Cu atom, and bears a vinylidene which bridges an Ru–Cu vector. The structure of a second modification of Ru(Ctriple bond; length of mdashCPh)(CO)(PPh3)Cp∗ is also reported.