Site-selective hydrogenolysis, hydrogenation and alcoholysis involving the homometallic cluster [W6H5(CPri)(OPri)12]

The octahedral W6 cluster [W6(µ-H)4H(µ-CPri(µ-OPri)5] 1 reacts with D2 to give D for H exchange, reacts reversibly with ethene, and in the presence of H2 yields ethane by exclusive use of the terminal W–H bond; 1 also reacts with (CD3)2CDOD to give selective alcoholysis of one terminal OR group.