The synthesis and reactivity of some indenyl and bis-indenyl ruthenium carbonyl complexes

The reaction of [Ru3(CO)12] (1), with indene in refluxing xylene affords [{(η5-C9H7)Ru(CO)2}2] (2), in high yield. An analogous reaction of 1 with 2-phenylindene affords the expected dinuclear complex [{(η5-C9H6Ph)Ru(CO)2}2] (5), and a heptaruthenium cluster [(C9H4Ph)Ru7(μ-H)(μ-CO)2(CO)16] (6). The indenyl ligand in compound 6 exhibits a novel bonding mode in which the benzenoid ring is μ4,η1:η1:η2:η2 bound to the cluster. Refluxing 1 with bis-indenyl methane affords the dinuclear complex [Ru2(CO)4{μ-(η5-C9H6)2CH2}] (7), which reacts with iodine via Ru–Ru bond cleavage to give [Ru2I2(CO)4{(η5-C9H6)2CH2}] (8).