Photolysis of triruthenium μ3-alkyne complexes capped by a μ3-oxo ligand

Photolysis of triruthenium μ3-oxo clusters having an alkyne ligand were examined, which gave μ3-acetylido complexes via methine proton and hydride abstraction. Heterolysis of a Ru- bond was confirmed by the photolysis of a diphenylacetylene analog, which gave a paramagnetic complex possessing a μ3(⊥)-alkyne ligand.124