Synthesis and reactivity of ruthenatetraborates: molecular structure of (RuH(B3H8)(CO)(PPh3)2)

Ruthenatetraborane, (RuH(B3H8)(CO)(PPh3)2), is synthesized from the reaction of (Nme4)(B3H8) with (RuH(CO)(NCMe)2(PPh3)2)ClO4 and (RuClH(CO)(PPh3)3). Structural analysis indicates that the complex forms monoclinic crystals of space group P2(sub 1)/c, with a distorted octahedral environment on the metal center. The conversion reactions to stable halometallatetraboranes, (RuX(B3H8)(CO)(PPh3)2) where X = Cl, Br, I, are also described.