Supramolecular cluster catalysis : facts and problems

By checking the chemistry underlying the concept of "supramolecular cluster catalysis" we identified two major errors in our publications related to this topic, which are essentially due to contamination problems. (<b>1</b>) The conversion of the "closed" cluster cation [H₃Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)]⁺ (1) into the "open" cluster cation [H₂Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂ (O)(OH)]⁺ (<b>2</b>), which we had ascribed to a reaction with water in the presence of ethylbenzene is simply an oxidation reaction which occurs in the presence of air. (2) The higher catalytic activity observed with ethylbenzene, which we had erroneously attributed to the "open" cluster cation [H₂Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)(OH)]⁺ (<b>2</b>), was due to the formation of RuO₂• <i>n</i>H₂O, caused by a hydroperoxide contamination present in ethylbenzene.