Reactivity of osmium–rhodium mixed-metal cluster [Os3Rh(μ-H)3(CO)12] towards vinyl containing ligands

Reaction of [Os3Rh(μ-H)3(CO)12] (1) with an excess amount of vinylacetic acid gave two new clusters, [Os5Rh2(μ-CO)(η6-C6H5CH3)(CO)16] (2) and [Os2Rh2(μ-CO)2(η3-CH2CHCH2COO)2(CO)7] (3) in 20 and 40% yields, respectively. Treatment of [Os3Rh(μ-H)3(CO)12] with vinylacetate in refluxing toluene afforded the complexes [Os3Rh(μ3-CCH3)(η6-C6H5CH3)(CO)9] (4) and [Os5Rh2(μ-CO)(η6-C6H5CH3)(CO)16] (2) in 40 and 20% yields, respectively. Thermolysis of [Os3Rh(μ-H)3(CO)12] in refluxing toluene produced the known cluster compound, [Os3Rh(μ-H)3(η6-C6H5CH3)(CO)9]. Treatment of 1-octene with [Os3Rh(μ-H)3(CO)12] led to the isomerization to give all isomers of octenes. All the new clusters have been fully characterized by both spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques. The isomerization has been examined by GCMS technique.