The High Nuclearity Mixed–Metal Cluster Dianions [Ru8H2Cu7Cl3(CO)24]2− and [Ru12H2Cu6Cl2(CO)34]2−

A linear arrangement of condensed octahedra and fused square-based pyramids are present in the novel, high nuclearity, mixed-metal dianions of the title (2 and 1, respectively), which are formed in the rection of [Ru6H(CO)18]− with excess [Cu(MeCN)4]+ in the presence of chloride ions in CH2Cl2 (1) and CH3CN (2). In these dianions the metallic ruthenium cluster cores are fused together through a central copper cluster unit (metal cores of (1 (left) and 2 (right) are depicted below).