Synthesis and crystal structure of [Ru8(μ5-S)2(μ4-S)(μ3-S)(μ-CNMe2)2(μ-CO)(CO)15] formed via the double sulphur–carbon bond cleavage of dithiocarbamate ligands

Heating cis-[Ru(S2CNMe2)2(CO)2] and [Ru3(CO)12] in xylene affords octanuclear [Ru8(μ5-S)2(μ4-S)(μ3-S)(μ-CNMe2)2(μ-CO)(CO)15] resulting from the double carbon–sulfur bond cleavage of two dithiocarbamate ligands. The structure consists of a tri-edge-bridged square of ruthenium atoms with a further ruthenium atom being bound only to the central bridging atom. Studies suggest that it may be formed via the pentanuclear intermediate [Ru5(μ4-S)2(μ-CNMe2)2(CO)11] which is formed in trace amounts.

Graphical abstractThermolysis of cis-[Ru(CO)2(S2CNMe2)2] and Ru3(CO)12 affords octanuclear [Ru8(μ5-S)2(μ4-S)(μ3-S)(μ-CNMe2)2 (μ-CO)(CO)15] via the double sulphur–carbon bond cleavage of both dithiocarbamate ligands.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide