Classified as metal carbonyl cluster, it is a dark orange-colored solid that is soluble in nonpolar organic solvents.

The cluster has D3h symmetry, consisting of an equilateral triangle of Ru atoms, each of which bears two axial and two equatorial CO ligands.

The barrier is estimated at 20 kJ/mol[2] Ru3(CO)12 is prepared by treating solutions of ruthenium trichloride with carbon monoxide in the presence of a base.

[3][4] The stoichiometry of the reaction is uncertain, one possibility being the following: The chemical properties of Ru3(CO)12 have been widely studied, and the cluster has been converted to hundreds of derivatives.

Upon treatment with 1,5-cyclooctadiene gives the monoRu tricarbonyl derivative:[8] Upon irradiation with UV light, Ru3(CO)12 converts to an insoluble polymeric form.