Sn–S and Ru–Ru bonds cleavage reactions between [Ph3SnS(CH2)3SSnPh3] and Ru3(CO)12: X-ray crystal structures of [Ph3SnS(CH2)3SSnPh3] and trans-[Ru(CO)4(SnPh3)2]

The organotin complex [Ph3SnS(CH2)3SSnPh3] (1) was synthesized by PdCl2 catalyzed reaction between Ph3SnCl and disodium-1,3-propanedithiolate which in turn was prepared from 1,2-propanedithiol and sodium in refluxing THF. Reaction of 1 with Ru3(CO)12 in refluxing THF affords the mononuclear complex trans-[Ru(CO)4(SnPh3)2] (2) and the dinuclear complex [Ru2(CO)6(μ-κ2-SCH2CH2CH2S)] (3) in 20 and 11% yields, respectively, formed by cleavage of Sn–S bond of the ligand and Ru–Ru bonds of the cluster. Treatment of pymSSnPPh3 (pymS = pyrimidine-2-thiolate) with Ru3(CO)12 at 55–60 °C also gives 2 in 38% yield. Both 1 and 2 have been characterized by a combination of spectroscopic data and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.