Synthesis and reactivity of the cyclohexadienyl ruthenium complex [(hhh5-C6H7)Ru(MeCN)3]+ with labile acetonitrile ligands

The UV irradiation of [(h⁵-C₆H₇)Ru(C₆H₆)]⁺ in MeCN gives the title complex, in which acetonitrile ligands are readily replaced by cyclopentadienide and tricarbollide anions; the structure of the tricarbollide derivative 1-(h⁵-C₆H₇)-12-Bu^tNH-1,2,4,12-RuC₃B₈H₁₀ was established by X-ray diffraction analysis.