On the synthesis and structures of the complexes [RuCl(L)(dppb)(N–N)]PF6 (L = CO, py or 4-NH2py; dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane; N–N = 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline) and [(dppb)(CO)Cl2-Ru-pz-RuCl2(CO)(dppb)] (pz = pyrazine)

The “Ru(P–P)” unit (P–P = diphosphine) is recognized to be an important core in catalytic species for hydrogenation of unsaturated organic substrates. Thus, in this study we synthesized six new complexes containing this core, including the binuclear complex [(dppb)(CO)Cl2Ru-pz-RuCl2(CO)(dppb)] (pz = pyrazine) which can be used as a precursor for the synthesis of cationic carbonyl species of general formula [RuCl(CO)(dppb)(N–N)]PF6 (N–N = diimine). Complexes with the formula [RuCl(py)(dppb)(N–N)]PF6 were synthesized by exhaustive electrolysis of these carbonyl compounds or from the precursors [RuCl2(dppb)(N–N)]. The new complexes were characterized by microanalysis, conductivity measurements, IR and 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray crystallography.

Graphical abstractSix new complexes containing the “Ru(dppb)” core [dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane], including the binuclear complex [(dppb)(CO)Cl2-Ru-pz-RuCl2(CO)(dppb)] (pz = pyrazine), were synthesized and characterized. This binuclear pyrazine species can be used as a precursor for the synthesis of cationic carbonyl complexes with the general formula [RuCl(CO)(dppb)(N–N)]PF6 (N–N = diimine).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide