Multi-Ruthenocene Assemblies on an Organostannoxane Platform. Supramolecular Signatures and Conversion to (Ru-Sn)O2

The reaction of ruthenocene carboxylic acid (RcCOOH) with [n-BuSn(O)OH](n), (Ph3Sn)(2)O, and (PhCH2)(3)SnCl afforded hexameric compounds [RSn(O)-OOCRc](6), R = n-Bu (1), Ph (2), and PhCH2 (3), respectively. These possess a prismane type Sn6O6 core which supports a hexa-ruthenocene periphery. Compounds [{n-Bu2Sn}(2)(mu(3)-O)-OOCRc(2)](2) (4) and [n-Bu2Sn(OOCRc)(2)] (5) were formed in the reaction of RcCOOH with n-Bu2SnO in 1:1 and 2:1 reactions, respectively. Compound [t-Bu2Sn(mu-OH)OOCRc](2) (6) is a dimer containing two ruthenocene units, and it was formed in the reaction of RcCOOH with (t-Bu2SnO)(3) in a 3:1 ratio. Compounds 1-6 show an extensive supramolecular organization in the solid state as a result of several intermolecular interactions. Compound 1 could be converted quantitatively to a pure phase of the binary oxide, (RuSn)O-2 at 400 degrees C.