Metal—olefin bonding. X-ray structures of trichloro-1,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)-trans-hex-3-enerhodium(III) and dichlorocarbonyl-1,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)-trans-hex-3-eneruthenium(II)

Abstract X-ray structures have been determined for the olefin-containing complexes RuCl 3 (BDPH) and RuCl 2 (CO)(BDPH); BDPH = 1,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)- trans -hex-3-ene. Both compounds crystallise in space group Pbca with eight molecules in unit cells of dimensions RhCl 3 (BDPH) a 16.109(8), b 20.359(12), c 17.194(4) A; RuCl 2 (CO)(BDPH) a 16.279(1), b 20.160(1), c 17.334(1) A. Least-squares refinement returned residuals, R , of 0.030 and 0.067 respectively. In the ruthenium complex the CO and one Cl ligand are statistically interchanged. Both complexes are characterised by weak metal—olefin bonding and a twisted olefin orientation. The geometries are compared with those in other Ir I and Ir III complexes containing the BDPH ligand.