The dinuclear ruthenium (I) complexes [Ru-2(HCO2)(2)(CO)(4)(PPh3)(2)] react with primary alcohols R'CH2OH in refluxing toluene, giving rise to [Ru-2(R'CO2)(2)(CO)(4)(PPh3)(2)] compounds. Other carboxylate bridging complexes react with alcohols R " OH to give very unstable alkoxide compounds [Ru-2(R " O)(2)(CO)(4)(PPh3)(2)]. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.