In which one of the following metal carbonyls, CO forms a bridge between metal atoms?
- [Os3(CO)12]
- [Ru3(CO)12]
- [Mn2(CO)10]
- [Co2(CO)8]
Answer
(4) [Co2(CO)8]
Solution
(A) [Os3(CO)12]: Os3 triangle (Os–Os bonds), all 12 CO terminal ⇒ no bridge
(B) [Ru3(CO)12]: same structure as Os ⇒ all CO terminal
(C) [Mn2(CO)10]: Mn–Mn bond, 5 terminal CO on each Mn ⇒ no bridge
(D) [Co2(CO)8]: Co–Co bond + 2 bridging CO (6 terminal CO):
[figure]
∵ only in [Co2(CO)8] does a CO bond to both metal atoms (μ-CO)
Answer: (4)