The sigma-alkynyl complexes [Ru(C=CR1)(eta5-C9H7)L2] (L2 = 2PPh3, 1,2-
bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), R1 = Ph, (t)Bu, (n)Pr; L2 = bis(d
iphenylphosphino)methane (dppm), R1 = Ph) have been prepared by reacti
on of the complex [RuCl(eta5-C9H7)L2] with HC=CR1 and potassium hydrox
ide in refluxing methanol. Electrophilic additions of HBF4.OEt2 and Me
OSO2CF3 to the neutral sigma-alkynyl complexes yield the cationic viny
lidene complexes [Ru-(=C=CR2R1)(eta5-C9H7)L2]+ (R2 = H, Me), which hav
e been isolated as tetrafluoroborate or triflate salts in good yields.
Reaction in refluxing dichloromethane of [RuCl(eta5-C9H7)L2] with NH4
PF6 and HC=CSiMe3 gives the cationic unsubstituted vinylidene complexe
s [Ru-(=C=CH2)(eta5-C9H7)L2]+; deprotonation of these cationic unsubst
ituted vinylidene species with potassium tert-butoxide yields the neut
ral sigma-ethynyl complexes [Ru(C=CH)(eta5-C9H7)L2] (L2 = 2PPh3, dppe)
. Methylation of these compounds leads to a mixture of the symmetrical
vinylidene complexes [Ru(=C=CR2)(eta5-C9H7)L2]+ (R = H, Me). Reaction
in refluxing methanol or ethanol of [RuCl(eta5-C9H7)L2] with HC=CSiMe
3 or HC=CPh and NH4-PF6 yields the alkoxycarbene derivatives [Ru{=C(OR
2)R1}(eta5-C9H7)L2][PF6](L2 = 2PPh3, dppe, R1 = Me, R2 = Me, Et; L2 =
dppm, R1 = Me, R2 = Me, Et; L2 = dppm, R1 = Bz, R2 = Me). The synthesi
s of the alkoxycarbenes has also been achieved by treatment of the uns
ubstituted vinylidne complexes with methanol or ethanol. The aminocarb
ene derivative [Ru{=C(NH2)-Me}(eta5-C9H7)(dppm)][PF6] has been prepare
d by reaction of [RuCl(eta5-C9H7)(dppm)] with HC=CSiMe3 and NH4PF6 in
CH2Cl2. The crystal structure of [Ru(=C=CMe2)(eta5-C9H7)(PPh3)2][CF3SO
3].1/2CH2Cl2 (monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, Z = 4, a = 12.854(4) an
gstrom, b = 14.42(1) angstrom, c = 23.98(3) angstrom, beta = 92.25(7)-
degrees, R = 0.066) has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods.
In the structure of the cationic complex the dimethylvinylidene ligand
is almost linearly bound to the Ru atom (Ru-C(1)-C(2) = 173.7(6)-degr
ees) with an Ru-C(1) distance of 1.839(7) angstrom and the ruthenium-v
inylidene chain Ru=C=C lying out of the mirror molecular plane (confor
mational angle (CA) = 22.2(4)-degrees). The coordination around the Ru
atom is completed by two P atoms from the triphenylphosphine ligand a
nd a eta5-bonded indenyl ligand with the benzo ring orientated trans t
o the vinylidene group. The structure shows distortions of the five-ca
rbon ring from planarity with hinge angle (HA) and fold angle (FA) val
ues of 8.1(6) and 13.1(6)-degrees, respectively, and a pronounced slip
-fold value of 0.197(7) angstrom. Extended Huckel molecular orbital ca
lculations were used to rationalize the preferred ''trans'' orientatio
n of the indenyl ligand with respect to the vinylidene group. H-1, P-3
1{H-1}, and C-13{H-1} NMR spectra are discussed. C-13]H-1} NMR data ar
e used for the calculation of the indenyl distortion parameters, showi
ng that the distortion of the eta5-indenyl coordination in the solid s
tate is maintained in solution.