Carbon–Carbon Bond Formation at a Neutral Terminal Carbido Ligand: Generation of Cyclopropenylidene and Vinylidene Complexes

Abstract

A C1 source, the carbido complex [Ru(C)(PCy3)2Cl2] (1) adds cleanly to dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate (DMAD), affording the cyclopropenylidene complex 2 (red O, green Cl, yellow P, gray C). This product is surprising given the instability of its trans-cyclopropylidene analogue. HX reagents effect 1,1-addition and ring opening, forming vinylidene complexes such as 3 which catalyze the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2006/z601652_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.