Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 3-3-2016

Department

Chemistry

Abstract

The synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of new ruthenium complexes of the tris-N-pyrrolyl phosphine ligand P(pyr)3 is described. The new ruthenium complexes [RuCl(ind)(PPh3){P(pyr)3}] and [RuCl(ind){P(pyr)3}2] (ind = indenyl ligand η5-C9H7−) were synthesized in 73% and 63% isolated yield, respectively, by thermal ligand exchange of [RuCl(ind)(PPh3)2] with P(pyr)3. The electronic and steric properties of the new complexes were studied through analysis of the X-Ray structures and through cyclic voltammetry. The new complexes [RuCl(ind)(PPh3){P(pyr)3}] and [RuCl(ind){P(pyr)3}2] and the known complex [RuCl(ind)(PPh3)2}] differed only slightly in their steric properties, as seen from the comparable bond lengths and angles around the ruthenium center. The oxidation potentials of [RuCl(ind)(PPh3){P(pyr)3}] and [RuCl(ind){P(pyr)3}2] are +0.34 and +0.71 Volt vs. Cp2Fe0/+, which are substantially higher than that of [RuCl(ind)(PPh3)2] (−0.023 V), which is in accordance with the enhanced π-acidity of the P(pyr)3 ligand. The new complexes are catalytically active in the etherification of propargylic alcohols and in the first ruthenium-catalyzed formation of known and new xanthenones from propargylic alcohols and diketones (18 to 72 h at 90 °C in ClCH2CH2Cl or toluene, 1-2 mol-% catalyst, 69-22 % isolated yields).

Comments

The ruthenium pyrrolyl phosphine complexes [RuCl(ind)(PPh3){P(pyr)3}] and [RuCl(ind){P(pyr)3}2] were synthesized, and exhibited increased oxidation potentials due to the π-acidic pyrrolyl phosphine ligands. The complexes are catalytically active in the etherification of propargylic alcohols and in the formation of known and new xanthenones from propargylic alcohols and diketones.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:

Stark, M. J., Shaw, M. J., Rath, N. P. and Bauer, E. B. (2016), Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of Indenyl Tris(N-pyrrolyl)phosphine Complexes of Ruthenium. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2016: 1093–1102. doi: 10.1002/ejic.201501381

which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejic.201501381. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.

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