Carbonyl derivatives of chloride-dimethyl sulfoxide-ruthenium(II) complexes: synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of Ru(CO)x(DMSO)(sub 4-x)Cl2 complexes (x = 1-3)

The reactions of cis- and trans-RuCl2(DMSO)(sub 4) with carbon monoxide is investigated. Cis-RuCl2(DMSO)(sub 4) reacts with CO at ambient pressure replacing one, two or three DMSO molecules. The reaction of trans-RuCl2(DMSO)(sub 4) with CO at room temperature and ambient pressure leads to the substitution of either one or two DMSO ligands. The coordination of CO activates the selective isomerization of the DMSO trans to it from S- to O-bonding. The crystal structure of these compounds have also been determined and is discussed.