Heteronuclear cluster formation: the synthesis and structure of the chloro-bridged tetranuclear complex [TlCl ₂ Ru(PPh ₃ )([9]aneS ₃ )] ₂ (PF ₆ ) ₂ incorporating a [RuCl ₂ Tl ₂ Cl ₂ Ru] ladder ([9]aneS ₃ = 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane)

Treatment of [RuCl2(PPh3)([9]aneS3)], formed in high yield by reaction of [RuCl2(PPh3)3] with [9]aneS3, with TIPF6 in CH2Cl2 at 273 K affords the yellow hetero-cluster species [TlCl2Ru(PPh3)([9]aneS3)]2(PF6)2 incorporating a [RuCl2Tl2Cl2Ru] ladder; dissolution of [TlCl2Ru(PPh3)([9]aneS3)]2(PF6)2 in acetone leads to precipitation of TlCl and the formation of the orange chloro-bridged dimer [RuCl(PPh3)([9]aneS3)]2(PF6)2.