Synthesis, molecular structure, substitution and C-C coupling reactions of ruthenium complexes containing (η5-C9H7)Ru(PPh3) as a molecular unit

A series of π-indenylruthenium(II) compounds of the general composition [(η5-C9H7)Ru(L)(PPh3)X] including those where L is a carbene CRR′ has been prepared with [(η5-C9H7)Ru(η3-2-MeC3H4)(PPh3)] as the starting material. The respective carbene complexes react with C-nucleophiles such as MeLi, PhLi and CH2CHMgBr by C-C coupling to give hydrido(olefin), η3-allyl and η3-benzyl ruthenium(II) derivatives.