Synthesis of ruthenium(II) compounds with ortho-oxypyridinate ligands (hp). Crystal structure characterization of [Ru(η6-p-CH3C6H4CH(CH3)2)Cl(hp)]

Abstract The reaction of [Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2]2 (p-cymene = p-CH3C6H4CH(CH3)2) with Nahp in THF yields [Ru(η6]-p-cymene)Cl(hp)] (1). The crystal structure of (1) has been determined by X-ray methods. (1) crystallizes in the space group Pbca, with a = 16.629(2), b = 10.201(3), c = 17.752(2) A. The compound contains one coordinated arene group, one chlorine and one hp group in a chelating coordination mode. The reaction of (1) with Aghp yields [Ru(η6-p-cymene)(hp)2] (2). The 13C NMR spectrum at - 70°C is consistent with a structure Ru(η6-p-cymene)(η2-hp)(η1-hp). At room temperature a rapid interconvertion between the two hp ligands occurs according to the observed 1H and 13C NMR spectra.