Formation of Isomeric Tetrathiotungstate Clusters [{Cp*Ru(CO)}2 (WS4 ){W(CO)4 }] by the Reaction of [Cp*2 Ru2 S4 ] with [W(CO)3 (MeCN)3 ].

Thermal and photochemical interconversion occurs between the isomeric pair of tetrathiotungstate [WS4 ]2- clusters 1 and 2, which were formed by thermolysis of [Cp*2 Ru2 S4 ] and [W(CO)3 (MeCN)3 ] [Eq. (1)] and then structurally characterized. During synthesis, a dramatic redistribution of ligands between the Ru and W atoms takes place without the loss of any CO and S ligands.