Photochemical Synthesis of Bis(η2‐methyl acrylate)tricarbonylruthenium

The first (η2-olefin)2Ru(CO)3 complex, the title compound (1), was obtained by irradiation of Ru3(CO)12 and methyl acrylate. The reaction proceeds via (η2-olefin)Ru(CO)4. Two fluxional systems of (1)-isomers are present in solution and can be differentiated by the arrangement of the olefin ligands.