Synthesis of the μ-PH hexaosmium clusters [Os6H2(CO)20L(μ3-PH)](L = CO or MeCN) and their reactions with base: X-ray crystal structures of [Os6H2(CO)20(MeCN)(μ3-PH)] and [Os6H3(CO)19(CO2Me)(μ3-PH)]

Mild heating of the phosphidotriosmium cluster [Os3H(CO)10(µ2-PH2)](1) with [Os3(CO)12 –n(MeCN)n](n= 1 or 2) gives high yields of the (µ3-PH) bridged hexaosmium clusters (2) and (3); reactions of (2) and (3) with bases and X-ray structure analyses of (3) and of (6), which was obtained from (3) and MeO– followed by acid treatment are described.