Controlled pyrolysis of the reaction between [ Ru,(CO) ,,I and tetracyclone (tetraphenylcyclopentadienone) in refluxing heptanegivesa new complex with theempirical formula [Ru,(CO),(C,Ph,CO),] in moderate yield. The compound has been characterised by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study [monoclinic, space group P2,/c, a = 12.1 30( 8), b = 20.972( 9), c = 20.861 (1 2) A, p = 98.80(5)O and Z = 41, which reveals that the structure contains a diruthenium pentacarbonyl unit [Ru(l )-Ru(2) Revision 5.