Reversible Olefin−Hydride Insertion in the Cationic Ruthenium Complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₅CH₂CH₂PR₂)RuH(CH₂CH₂)]⁺

Abstract

Ruthenium−hydride olefin complexes having the formula [(η6-C6H5CH2CH2PR2)RuH(CH2CH2)][PF6], where R = Cy (1) and Ph (2), were prepared via the reaction of triphenylcarbenium hexafluorophosphate (Ph3CPF6) with the corresponding (η6-C6H5CH2CH2PR2)Ru(CH3)2 complexes. Reversible olefin−hydride insertion reactions were directly observed for both 1 and 2 by 2D EXSY magnetic resonance experiments. The structure of complex 1 was determined by X-ray crystallography.