Dioxycarbene complexes derived from reactions of tetrairidium carbonyl clusters with oxirane: X-ray crystal structures of and

The synthesis of some new tetrairidium cluster derivatives, and (n = 1, 2), are reported. The complexes were characterised mainly by IR and multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies (1H, 13C and 31P) and by crystallographic methods. In solution these compounds present two or three isomers, all showing 3-edge-bridging CO's and the non-carbonyl ligands in axial (favourite) and/or radial position. These clusters are fluxional at room temperature.