Investigation into the formation of heteronuclear clusters of formula [ Ru6C(CO)16Ag2X 2]2- (X = Cl, Br or I)

Reaction of [Ru6C(CO)16]2− with an excess of AgX (X = Cl, Br or I) affords heteronuclear clusters of formula [{Ru6C(CO)16Ag2X}2]2− in 80% yield, which for X = I and X = Br/Cl were crystallographically characterised. The formation of the cluster was followed in solution using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), which revealed the presence of a wide range of clusters with the general formula {Ru6C(CO)16}xAgyXz− where x = 1 or 2, y = 1, 2, 3 or 4 and z = 0, 1 or 2. The high yield of the product despite the evident complicated solution speciation is attributed to selective crystallisation of the observed compound driving the equilibrium toward this product.