Complexation and C–H bond activation of 1,5-cyclooctadiene on triosmium carbonyl clusters

Reaction of Os3(CO)10(NCMe)2 and 1,5-cyclooctadiene (C8H12) affords the diene complex Os3(CO)10(η4-C8H12) (1) with the two alkene moieties coordinated to an equatorial and an axial positions of one osmium atom. Thermolysis of 1 in refluxing n-hexane results in a vinylic C–H bond activation to form (μ-H)Os3(CO)9(μ,η4-C8H11) (2) in good isolated yield. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been established by an X-ray diffraction study.