Heterobimetallic triple-decker complexes derived from a dianionic aromatic stannole ligand

A neutral heterobimetallic triple-decker stannole complex was prepared by the reaction of an anionic ruthenocene bearing a stannole dianionic ligand with [Rh(cod)Cl]2 (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), and the resulting Ru–Rh complex exhibits an electronic property different from those of the corresponding Ru–Ru and Rh–Rh complexes. The Ru–Rh complex can be decomposed in ionic liquids to metal nanoparticles.