Bis(metallaethynyl) Ketones: Synthesis and Structure of {(Ph₃P)AuCC}₂CO and Attempted Transmetalation: Formation and Structure of [1,3-{Ru(dppe)Cp}₂{<i>c</i>-COC(OMe)CHCCH}]PF₆

The bis(metallaethynyl) ketone {(Ph3P)AuCC}2CO (1), obtained from (Me3SiCC)2CO, AuCl(PPh3), and NaOMe, forms an Au···Au-bonded dimer in the solid state (Au···Au = 2.9825(3) Å). The ES-MS contains ions [2M + X]+ (X = Na, K, Au), but the lack of the ion [2M]+ and NMR evidence suggest that the dimeric structure is not preserved in solution. Compound 1 reacts with RuCl(dppe)Cp to afford the unusual dimetal-substituted pyrylium complex [1,3-{Ru(dppe)Cp}2{c-COC(OMe)CHCCH}]PF6 (2). The molecular structure of 2 is also reported, together with a proposed route for its formation.