Ruthenium Carbonyl

Basic Information of Ruthenium Carbonyl

CAS No.	15243-33-1
EC No.	239-569-3
Chemical Formula	Ru₃(CO)₁₂
Molecular Weight	639.33 g/mol
Appearance	Bright orange to red-orange crystalline powder
Odor	Odorless
Melting point	150 °C (decomposes)
Boiling point	Not applicable (decomposes)
Density	approx. 2.8–3.0 g/cm³
Solubility	Insoluble in water; soluble in hexane, benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform
Nature (hazards)	Harmful if swallowed, may cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life, air-sensitive in solution, CO-releasing upon decomposition
RIDADR	Not regulated (not subject to transport regulations as hazardous material in many classifications)
Chemical Structure

Primary Applications of Ruthenium Carbonyl

Ru₃(CO)₁₂ serves as a versatile Ru(0) cluster precursor, readily undergoing ligand substitution or fragmentation to generate active ruthenium species in diverse catalytic and synthetic processes.

1. Homogeneous Hydrogenation Catalysis
   Acts as a precursor for ruthenium carbonyl hydride species in selective hydrogenation of alkenes, alkynes, carbonyls, and nitro groups, offering high activity under mild conditions.

2. Hydroformylation & Carbonylation Reactions
   Used to prepare ruthenium catalysts for hydroformylation of alkenes to aldehydes and carbonylation processes, providing complementary selectivity to rhodium-based systems.

3. Organometallic Complex Synthesis
   Serves as the starting material for synthesizing substituted ruthenium carbonyl clusters, phosphine derivatives, and nitrosyl/isonitrile complexes in coordination chemistry research.

4. Supported Ruthenium Catalyst Preparation
   Employed in impregnation or thermal decomposition to deposit Ru on carbon, alumina, or silica supports for heterogeneous hydrogenation and Fischer-Tropsch catalysis.

5. Thin-Film & CVD Ruthenium Deposition
   Functions as a volatile Ru source for chemical vapor deposition of high-purity ruthenium films in microelectronics, interconnects, and catalytic coatings.

6. Fine Chemical & Pharmaceutical Synthesis
   Applied in Ru-catalyzed reductions and functionalizations for key steps in API manufacturing, offering scalability and functional group tolerance.

• High Purity & Cluster Integrity
  Rigorous quality controls ensure uniform Ru content, minimal free CO or impurities, and preserved Ru₃ framework for maximum precursor reactivity.

• Secure Precious Metal Sourcing
  Transparent, responsible ruthenium procurement with inventory buffering to provide supply stability and competitive pricing.

• Technical Organometallic Support
  Dedicated specialists offer guidance on ligand substitution, cluster fragmentation, catalyst activation, and reaction optimization for your specific applications.

• Comprehensive Regulatory Compliance
  Full COA, REACH, RoHS, and detailed SDS documentation to facilitate seamless integration into global operations and research programs.

• Sustainability & Recycling Commitment
  Ethical sourcing practices and ruthenium recovery/recycling programs aligned with ESG objectives and sustainable chemistry principles.

Hazards Classification

• GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity, Oral (Category 4); Aquatic Chronic (Category 4)

• Hazard Statements: H302: Harmful if swallowed; H413: May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life

• UN Number: Not regulated

• Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous for transport

• Packing Group: Not applicable