This paper reviews the current knowledge on the synthesis, structure, and reactivity of basal-edgebridged square-pyramidal hexaruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes, covering the literature up to the end of 2007. These clusters are generally prepared at high temperature (>100 °C) through processes that involve a ligand-promoted condensation of two triruthenium clusters. All cluster complexes of this type contain a bridging ligand with an S-, C-, or N-donor fragment capping the four basal metal atoms of the pyramid. When the bridging ligand is bi-or polydentate, it is also bound to the edge-bridging metal atom. The reactivity of [Ru 6 (µ 3 -H) 2 (µ 5 -κ 2 -ampy)(µ-CO) 2 (CO) 14 ] (H 2 ampy ) 2-amino-6-methylpyridine) with various reagents has been recently investigated. Its reactions with unsaturated hydrocarbons (carbocycles, alkynes, diynes, alkenes) often involve multisite coordination and hydrogenation or dehydrogenation of the original reagents. The release of an Ru(CO) n fragment (the only one that is not bound to the bridging ampy ligand) or its exchange between hexanuclear species is also frequently observed. This leads to penta-and heptanuclear clusters as final products. The reactivity of [Ru 6 (µ 3 -H) 2 (µ 5 -κ 2 -ampy)(µ-CO) 2 (CO) 14 ] with other reagents (triphenylphosphine, hydrides, H 2 ampy) and its thermolysis in solution are also surveyed.