The carbonylation of RuCl3.3H(2)O in refluxing alcohol represents the entry point to ruthenium organometallic chemistry. The overall carbonylation reaction is composed of three consecutive reactions, each step resulting in a ruthenium carbonyl complex with different Ru/CO ratios. A kinetic analysis of the overall reaction reveals the parameters that are involved in the rates of formation of each compound, and as a result, provides a method for the control of product composition.