Reactivity of a triruthenium alkenyl cluster complex with conjugated diynes: Coupling of two diyne molecules via a face-capping diyne intermediate

Triruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes containing large hydrocarbyl ligands, such as [Ru3(μ3-κ2-HNNMe2)(μ-κ2-PhCHCPh){μ3-κ4-PhCCCC(Ph)C(Ph)CCCPh}(CO)6] (shown in the figure), have been prepared by treating [Ru3(μ3-κ2-HNNMe2)(μ-κ2-PhCHCPh)(μ-CO)2(CO)6] with conjugated diynes. These complexes are formed through an intermediate that contains a face-capping diyne ligand.