Reactions of Ru3(CO)12 with 2-pentynal-diethyl-acetal. The crystal structure of Ru2(CO)6[μ-η4-{EtC2C(H)(OEt)2}CO{EtC2C(H)(OEt)2}] and its reactivity towards tetraethyl-orthosilicate

The title compound has been obtained in considerable yield by reacting Ru3(CO)12 with 2-pentynal-diethyl-acetal [CH3CH2Ctriple bond; length of mdashCC(H)(OEt)2] (PDA) in hydrocarbon solvents. The X-ray analysis shows that the title complex belongs to the well known family of the flyover derivatives. Some X-ray structural studies have been reported, many years ago, on di-iron flyover complexes; in contrast only a few examples of diruthenium derivatives have been structurally characterized. The complex contains ethoxy-groups which could potentially undergo hydrolysis in the presence of tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS) in the presence of catalysts. Reactions of complex Ru2(CO)6[μ-η4-{EtC2C(H)(OEt)2}CO{EtC2C(H)(OEt)2}] with TEOS in the presence of HCl or of NaF (as catalysts) have been attempted. An inorganic-organometallic sol-gel material containing the skeleton of the complex has been obtained and characterized with IR-Raman, XRD on powders and SEM microscopy.