Synthesis of cis- and trans-[M(CN)2(1-CH3-C6H10-NC)4] (M = Fe, Ru) and crystal structure of trans-[Ru(CN)2(1′-CH3-C6H10-NC)4]

The reaction of the metal carbonyls Fe2(CO)9 or Ru3(CO)12 with 1-isocyano-1-methyl-cyclohexane produces the octahedral metal(II) cyano complexes [M(CN)2(1-CH3-C6H10-NC)4] in good yields. The cis-isomer is not isolated as a pure compound due to rearrangement processes that yield the sterically less crowded trans-isomer.