Reversible Intramolecular Alkyl C−H Bond Activation, Alcohol Dehydrogenation, and Trans−Cis Dihydride Isomerization in Ruthenium N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

Abstract

Thermolysis of Ru(IEt2Me2)(PPh3)2(CO)H2 (IEt2Me2 = 1,3-bis(ethyl)-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) in the presence of CH2CHSiMe3 results in C−H activation of an NCH2CH2−H bond; the process can be reversed by H2 or alcohols to give different isomers of the starting dihydride complex.