Synthesis, molecular structure, and reactivity of octahedral alkylhydridoosmium(II) complexes [OsH(R)(CO)2(PR'3)2]

Chemical preparation of the alkylhyridoosmium(II) complexes [OsH(R)(CO){sub 2}(PR{prime}{sub 3}){sub 2}] (5a,b (R = CH{sub 3}), 6a,b(R = CH{sub 3}), 6a,b (R = MeOCH{sub 2})) can be effected by the reaction of [OsH({eta}{sup 2}-BH{sub 4})(CO)(PR{prime}{sub 3}){sub 2}] (2a,b) with ethanol or 2-methoxyethanol under reflux. 5a was characterized by X-ray crystallography. Various reactions of electrophiles with 5a,b are reported yielding numerous products that are discussed. 33 refs., 1 fig., 4 tabs.