Symmetric and asymmetric 13-vertex bimetallacarboranes by polyhedral expansion.

Symmetric 4,5,2,3-M(2)C(2)B(9) 13-vertex bimetallacarboranes of cobalt and ruthenium with 14 skeletal electron pairs are afforded by reduction and metallation of 3,1,2-MC(2)B(9) icosahedra; the symmetric species can be converted to their asymmetric 4,5,1,6-M(2)C(2)B(9) isomers by heat, but an easier route is by thermolysis of the reduced species before metallation.