The cluster-surface analogy: The interaction of norbornene and norbornadiene with low-nuclearity ruthenium carbonyl clusters

The thermolysis of [RU(3)(CO)(12)] with norbornene (nbe) and norbornadiene (nbd) leads to the tri- and tetra-ruthenium clusters, [(mu-H)(2)Ru-3(CO)(9)(mu(3)-eta(1): eta(2): eta(1)-C7H8)] 1 and [Ru-4(CO)(11)(mu(4)-eta(1): eta(1): eta(2): eta(2)-eta(2)-C7H6)] 2, respectively; the molecular structures of both clusters show organo-cluster interactions similar to the proposed organo-surface adsorption modes found on the Pt(111) surface,in which the bicyclic ring straddles a trimetallic face, coordinating through one alkenic bond and an agostic C-H ... M interaction.