SYNTHESIS AND REACTIONS OF AZIDO COMPLEXES OF RUTHENIUM

Sodium azide reacts with RuH2 (dmpe)(2) (1a) (dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylp hosphino)ethane) in methanol solution to form RuH(N-3)(dmpe)(2) (2a), and reacts with RuCl2(depe)(2) (3b) (depe = 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)e thane) to form the bis(azide) complex Ru(N-3)(2)(depe)(2) (4b). The cr ystal structures of Ru(Cl)(2)(depe)(2) (3b) and Ru(N-3)(2)(depe)(2) (4 b) have been determined and indicate that the chloro groups in (3b) an d the azido groups in (4b) are trans across the metal centre.