Synthesis of and catalytic nitrile hydration by a cationic tris(μ-hydroxo)diruthenium(II) complex having PMe3 ligands

Treatment of [Ru(η4-1,5-COD)(η6-1,3,5-COT)] (1)/PMe3 with phenyl vinyl ether in the presence of water gives a tris(μ-hydroxo)diruthenium(II) complex [(Me3P)3Ru(μ-OH)3Ru(PMe3)3]+[OPh]−·HOPh (3·HOPh) with evolution of ethylene. The molecular structure of 3·HOPh is unequivocally determined by X-ray analysis. Complex 3 acts as a catalyst for nitrile hydration. The hydration of benzonitrile was achieved by 3 (1.0 mol%) in 1,4-dioxane at 120 °C for 6 h to give benzamide quantitatively.