Efficient transfer of dithiolene ligands from nickel to cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes

Publication date: Available online 6 August 2019Source: Journal of Organometallic ChemistryAuthor(s): Harry Adams, Deena M. Alasali, Michael J. Morris, Sarah A. Morris, Craig C. Robertson, Voirrey L. RobinsonAbstractThe reaction of [CpRu(PPh3)2Cl] with [Ni(S2C2Ph2)2] in refluxing toluene produces the purple salt [CpRu(S2C2Ph2) (PPh3)][Cl], containing a rare example of a cationic dithiolene complex, in excellent yield. Chemical or electrochemical reduction of [CpRu(S2C2Ph2) (PPh3)][Cl] causes a colour change to blue and formation of the corresponding neutral species [CpRu(S2C2Ph2) (PPh3)]. In contrast the reaction of [CpRu(CO)2Cl] with [Ni(S2C2Ph2)2] under similar conditions was unsuccessful, but dithiolene transfer could be induced at room temperature by the use of Me3NO as a decarbonylating agent. In this case the neutral paramagnetic complex [CpRu(S2C2Ph2) (CO)] was formed, together with a crystallographically characterised dinuclear compound [Ru2(μ-S2C2Ph2) (μ-CO) (CO)Cp2]. The different outcomes of these reactions are related to the σ-donor and π-acceptor properties of the ligands.Graphical abstract
Source: Journal of Organometallic Chemistry - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research