Reaction of multifunctional molecule (Ph2P(o-C6H4)CHdouble bond; length as m-dashNCH2CH2)3N with triosmium carbonyl clusters

Reaction of (Ph2P(o-C6H4)CHdouble bond; length as m-dashNCH2CH2)3N with 3 equiv. of Os3(CO)10(NCMe)2 at ambient temperature affords the triple cluster [Os3(CO)10Ph2P(o-C6H4)CHdouble bond; length as m-dashNCH2CH2]3N (1) through coordination of the phosphine and imine groups. Thermolysis of 1 in benzene leads to decarbonylation and C–H/C–N bond activation of the ligand to generate (μ-H)Os3(CO)8(μ3-Ph2P(o-C6H4)CHdouble bond; length as m-dashNCdouble bond; length as m-dashCH2) (2). The molecular structure of 2 has been determined by an X-ray diffraction study.