Synthesis and characterization of [Ru₃(CO)_12−nL_n] (L = P(OⁱPr)₃; n = 1, 2, 3) and the “Star of David” disorder in bis- and tris-substituted products

Abstract

Disorder in the X-ray structures of [Ru₃(CO)₁₀{P(O ⁱ Pr)₃}₂] (3) and [Ru₃(CO)₉{P(O ⁱ Pr)₃}₃] (4) has been examined. Both structures show a “Star of David” disorder of the Ru₃ triangle. The amount of disorder on the Ru₃ triangle is temperature dependent, where the ligands hardly move, indicating that the whole cluster does not rotate intact in the crystal lattice but rather the Ru₃ triangle effectively oscillates within a relatively rigid ligand polyhedron. The space-group of 4 at 273 K is P2(1)/n changing to P2(1) upon cooling to 100 K.

Keywords:

• Ruthenium
• Cluster
• X-ray
• Dynamic disorder

Acknowledgements

Financial assistance from the Research and Publication Committee, University of Botswana, South African National Research Foundation and the Research Fund of the University of Johannesburg and SASOL is gratefully acknowledged. Part of this material is based on work supported by the South African National Research Foundation. Opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NRF.