Polarized complexes obtained by regiospecific substitution of a CN group in Ru{C≡CC(CN)=C(CN)₂}(dppe)Cp* (Cp* = η-C₅Me₅)

Abstract

The complex Ru{C≡CC(CN)=C(CN) 2}(dppe)Cp* (1), containing the new tricyanovinylethynyl (3,4,4-tricyanobut-3-en-1-ynyl) ligand, undergoes ready substitution of the 3-cyano group by nucleophiles (Nu) such as H, Me, Pr i, Bu, Bu t, mesityl, OMe, OBu t, OCH 2CH=CH 2, NHEt, NEt 2, and PPh 2 to give Ru{C≡CC(Nu)=C(CN) 2}(dppe)Cp. The X-ray diffraction structures of several of the resulting complexes are reported and, for the mesityl and PPh 2 products, show that isomerization to the 3,5-dimethylbenzyl and oxidation to the phosphine oxide have respectively occurred. © 2012 American Chemical Society.