Sn–S and Ru–Ru bonds cleavage reactions between [Ph3SnS(CH2)3SSnPh3] and Ru3(CO)12: X-ray crystal structures of [Ph3SnS(CH2)3SSnPh3] and trans-[Ru(CO)4(SnPh3)2]

Abstract The organotin complex [Ph 3 SnS(CH 2 ) 3 SSnPh 3 ] ( 1 ) was synthesized by PdCl 2 catalyzed reaction between Ph 3 SnCl and disodium-1,3-propanedithiolate which in turn was prepared from 1,2-propanedithiol and sodium in refluxing THF. Reaction of 1 with Ru 3 (CO) 12 in refluxing THF affords the mononuclear complex trans -[Ru(CO) 4 (SnPh 3 ) 2 ] ( 2 ) and the dinuclear complex [Ru 2 (CO) 6 (μ-κ 2 -SCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 S)] ( 3 ) in 20 and 11% yields, respectively, formed by cleavage of Sn–S bond of the ligand and Ru–Ru bonds of the cluster. Treatment of pymSSnPPh 3 (pymS = pyrimidine-2-thiolate) with Ru 3 (CO) 12 at 55–60 °C also gives 2 in 38% yield. Both 1 and 2 have been characterized by a combination of spectroscopic data and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.