in  n-heptane  Ru6(CO)17S2 was dissolved in heptane, the soln. was reflux for 40 min under N2; filtered, the filtrate was evapd. to dryness in vac., the residue was dissolved in CH2Cl2, the soln. was chromd. by TLC using a hexane/CH2Cl2;   

 in  n-heptane  byproducts: Ru3(CO)12; Ru3(CO)10S was placed into a tube, heptane was added, the tube was sealed under vac., placed into an oil bath, the soln. was stirred vigorously at 100°C for 10 min, the tube was removed and cooled to 25°C; tube was opened, soln. was decanted, ppt. was extd. with CH2Cl2 yielded Ru4(CO)11S2, soln. was evapd. to dryness, residue was dissolved in hexane, chromd. with hexane, Ru3(CO)12 sepd., eluted with hexane/CH2Cl2 gave Ru7(CO)20S2 and Ru6(CO)17S2;   

 in  n-heptane  byproducts: Ru3(CO)12; Ru3(CO)10S was placed into a tube, heptane was added, the tube was sealed under vac., placed into an oil bath, the soln. was stirred vigorously at 100°C for 10 min, the tube was removed and cooled to 25°C; tube was opened, soln. was decanted, ppt. was extd. with CH2Cl2 yielded Ru4(CO)11S2, soln. was evapd. to dryness, residue was dissolved in hexane, chromd. with hexane, Ru3(CO)12 sepd., eluted with hexane/CH2Cl2 gave Ru7(CO)20S2 and Ru6(CO)17S2;   

 in  n-heptane  byproducts: Ru3(CO)12; Ru3(CO)10S was placed into a tube, heptane was added, the tube was sealed under vac., placed into an oil bath, the soln. was stirred vigorously at 100°C for 10 min, the tube was removed and cooled to 25°C; tube was opened, soln. was decanted, ppt. was extd. with CH2Cl2 yielded Ru4(CO)11S2, soln. was evapd. to dryness, residue was dissolved in hexane, chromd. with hexane, Ru3(CO)12 sepd., eluted with hexane/CH2Cl2 gave Ru7(CO)20S2 and Ru6(CO)17S2;