The reaction of triosmium and -ruthenium clusters with bifunctional ligands

The reaction of [Os3(CO)10(μ-H)(μ-OH)], 1, or [Os3(CO)10(NCCH3)2], 2, with bifunctional ligands carrying –OH, –SH and –COOH groups affords, as the major product, clusters of the general formula [Os3(CO)10(μ-H)(μ-E⌢E′H)] (E, E′ = O, S or COO). In some cases, a minor product with general formula [Os3(CO)10(μ-H)(μ,μ-E⌢E′)Os3(CO)10(μ-H)] was also obtained. With Ru3(CO)12, 3b, only the first type of products is obtained. The structures of eight of the compounds have also been determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography.