Synthesis of new ruthenium(II) complexes derived from labile nitrile ligands: an alternative route to the preparation of trans-dichlorotetrakis(diphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II)

Abstract

New ruthenium(II) complexes containing labile nitrile ligands have been prepared by treatment of either the polymer [{RuCl₂(COD)}_x] (COD = cycloocta-1,5-diene) (1) or its derivative [RuCl₂(COD)(NCCH₃)₂]·NCCH₃ (2) with the appropriate nitrile ligands in refluxing acetonitrile under argon. A new route to synthesis of trans-dichlorotetrakis(diphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) (7) was also reported. A redetermination of the structure of 7 was undertaken and X-ray crystallographic data revealed that the complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with unit cell dimensions a = 12.7016(9) Å, b = 13.0847(10) Å, c = 14.1498(10) Å, α = 101.46(3)°, V = 2080.6(3) Å³, Z = 2 and R = 0.0309. Its polymorph 7′ was also obtained. The crystal structure of 4 was also determined. This complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with unit cell dimensions a = 27.0510(3) Å, b = 11.0984(13) Å, c = 13.0450(16) Å, α = 90°, V = 3886.5(8) Å³, Z = 8 and R = 0.0282.

Keywords:

• Nitrile ligands
• ruthenium(II) complex
• diphenylphosphine
• spectroscopic analysis
• X-ray crystallography

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Universities of Connecticut (Prof. S.L. Suib) and of the Witwatersrand (Prof. Neil J. Coville) for the facilities to carry out the research. The University of Ilorin is gratefully acknowledged for a grant of Staff Development Award to SOO.