The reaction between RuCl(PPh
3)
2Cp
* and {Cu(CCPh)}
n in refluxing benzene afforded Ru
2Cu
2(C
2Ph)
5H
2(Cl)(PPh
3)Cp
*2, which contains an unusual tetramer of the phenylethynyl group which interacts with an Ru…Cu…Cu…Ru chain. The second Ru atom is part of a ruthenocenyl moiety which interacts weakly with the second Cu atom, and
bears a vinylidene which bridges an Ru–Cu vector. The structure of a second modification of Ru(C
CPh)(CO)(PPh
3)Cp
* is also reported.