Ditertiary phosphine derivatives of the heteronuclear cluster RuOs3(μ-H)2(CO)13

The heteronuclear cluster RuOs3(μ-H)2(CO)13 (1) reacted readily with a number of ditertiary phosphines under chemical activation with trimethylamine-N-oxide. The solid-state and solution structures of these derivatives have been examined. Six structural types have been characterized crystallographically, including one in which a phenyl group migrates from the ditertiary phosphine ligand to the metal framework. There are many more isomers present in solution, most of which are rapidly inter-converting via hydride migrations.