Condensation of mononuclear [HM(CO)4]- to trinuclear [HM3(CO)11]- metal hydrido carbonyl anions (M = Fe, Ru, Os) under protic and water gas shift conditions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om00080a005

Stoichiometries and conditions for the condensation of [HM(CO)₄]^- to [HM₃(CO)₁₁]^- for M = Fe, Ru, and Os have been determined. Under protic and water gas shift conditions, the [HRu(CO)₄]^- anion is rapidly converted to the trinuclear cluster anion [HRu₃(CO)₁₁^-]. In protic media the [HFe(CO)₄]^- anion condenses to [HFe₃(CO)₁₁]^-, but at a markedly slower rate. Under water gas shift conditions, [HFe(CO)₄]^- does not form ([HFe₃(CO)₁₁]^-. Instead, within a period of 24 h a catalytically inactive material is formed. In protic media [HOs(CO)₄]^- slowly forms [HOs₃(CO)₁₁]^-. The [HOs(CO)₄]^- anion is more active than [HOs₃(CO)₁₁]^- for the catalysis of the water gas shift reaction.