Iridium–Ruthenium Cluster Complexes with SnPh3 Ligands from the Reaction of IrRu3(CO)13(μ-H) with HSnPh3

The reaction of IrRu3(CO)13(μ-H), 1 with HSnPh3 in hexane solvent at reflux has provided the new mixed metal cluster compounds Ir2Ru2(CO)11(SnPh3)(μ-H)3, 2 and IrRu3(CO)11(SnPh3)3(μ-H)4, 3 containing SnPh3 ligands. Compound 2 which was obtained in low yield (3%) contains one SnPh3, two iridium atoms and two ruthenium atoms. The increase in the number of iridium atoms must have resulted from a metal–metal exchange process. The major product 3 (19% yield) contains an open cluster of one iridium and three ruthenium atoms with three SnPh3 ligands and four hydride ligands. Both compounds were characterized structurally by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.