The hydrogenation reaction of [Ru3(CO)10(C6F5)2P(CH2)2P(C6F5)2]: Migration of a C6F5 group from a phosphorus to a ruthenium atom. X-ray crystal structures of [Ru3(CO)9(μ-H){μ2-(C6F5)PCH2CH2P(C6F5)2}], [Ru3(CO)7(μ-H)3(η1-C6F5){μ3-PCH2CH2P(C6F5)2}] and [Ru3

The reaction of [Ru3(CO)10{(C6F5)2P(CH2)2P(C6F5)2}] (1) with hydrogen in toluene produced four compounds. These compounds were characterized spectroscopically and structurally. Some experiments were carried out to determine the relationship between the different reaction products. The first two compounds (2 and 3) show μ-phosphide groups bridging metal–metal bonds, produced by the rupture of a P–C6F5 bond; 2 also shows a C6F5 ring bonded in a η1 fashion to one of the metal atoms. In both compounds the remaining part of the diphosphine ligand is coordinated in the traditional terminal form. The structure of compounds 4 and 5 show a μ3-phosphinidene group where both aromatic rings bonded to the phosphorus atom have been eliminated. Compound 4 also has a C6F5 ring bonded to a ruthenium atom.