Bimetallic Ru-Pd and Trimetallic Ru-Pd-Cu Assemblies on the Carborane Cluster Surface

The synthesis of well-defined heterometallic complexes remains a frontier challenge in inorganic chemistry. We report an approach that relies on the sequential insertion of electrophilic metal fragments into electron-rich Ru-B bonds of the η²-BB-carboryne complex (POBBOP)Ru(CO)₂ [POBBOP = 1,7-OP(ⁱPr)₂-m-2,6-dehydrocarborane]. Utilizing this synthetic strategy, bimetallic (POBBOP)(Ru)(CO)₂[Pd(P^tBu₃)] and trimetallic (POBBOP)(Ru)(CO)₂[Pd(P^tBu₃)](CuBr) complexes were selectively prepared. Structural and theoretical analysis of the features of chemical bonding within Ru-B-B-Cu and Ru-B-B-Pd fragments is presented.