Ru(CO)2(PPh3)3 and Os(CO)2(PPh3)3. An ethylene complex of ruthenium and a dioxygen complex of osmium

The tris(phosphine) substituted carbonyls, M(CO)2(PPh3)3(M = Ru or Os) have been prepared by formal deprotonation of [MH(CO)2(PPh3)3]+ with methoxide ion; carbonyl groups are trans and a phosphine is easily lost leading to various derivatives including Ru(C2H4)(CO)2(PPh3)2 and Os(O2)(CO)2(PPh3)2.