Conversion of the cluster core structure via CO elimination and activation of the coordinated hydrocarbon ligand. Synthesis and reactions of WOs3Cp(CO)10(CMeCMeCCPh)

Reaction of WCp(CO)3CCPh with Os3(CO)10(C2Me2) produced the butterfly cluster WOs3Cp(CO)10(CMeCMeCCPh)1 in moderate yield; treatment of 1 with Me3NO followed by thermolysis in refluxing toluene yielded the spiked triangular cluster WOs3Cp(CO)9(µ-H)[CMeCMeCC(µ2-η2-C6H4)]3 as a major product; on further thermolysis, complex 3 reconverted to a butterfly cluster WOs3Cp(CO)9[CMeCMeCHC(µ2-η2-C6H4)]5 and then to a tetrahedral cluster WOs3Cp(CO)8[CMeCMeCHC(µ2-η2-C6H4)]6via hydride migration followed by loss of CO; the structures of complexes 3, 5 and 6 have been determined by X-ray diffraction.