Heterobimetallic complexes have a donor-accepter metal-metal bond in which two electrons from the electron-rich metal moiety are donated to the other electron-deficient one. Based on the competition reactions, Cotton-Kraihanzel force constants, ν(CO)IR band resolution and the relative nucleophilicity comparison of the donor ligands, the following relative ligating ability of the donor ligands toward $M(CO)_5$ (M=Cr, W) is assessed: cis-HW$(CO)_4P(OMe)_3^-$, $HW(CO)_5^-$ > $HCr(CO)_5^-$-$Br^-$ > trans-HFe$(CO)_3P(OMe)_3^-$ > $Mn(CO)_5^-$ > $HFe(CO)_4^-$ > PP$h_3$