PYROLYSIS OF ISONITRILE SUBSTITUTED DERIVATIVES OF TRIOSMIUM DODECACARBONYL

The pyrolysis of the isonitrile substituted complexes Os3(CO)12-x(CNR)x (R = But, x = 1,2) in refluxing octane has been studied. From these pyrolysis reactions and from the reaction of Os3(CO)12 with ButNC in refluxing octane the series of hexanuclear complexes Os6(CO)18-x(CNBut)x (x = 1-5) has been isolated. The pyrolysis of Os3(CO)11(CNBun) also leads to the formation of higher nuclearity clusters and evidence is presented that one product of the reaction is Os6(CO)17(CNBun)2. Possible structures for these isonitrile substituted hexanuclear complexes are discussed in the light of the known structures of Os6(CO)16(CNBut)2 and Os6(CO)18(CNC6H4Me)2. © 1979.