The synthesis, structure and selected reactivity of a series of tricarbonyl ruthenium complexes with 1,3-dienes and heterodienes

Displacement of the weakly ligated ethylene ligands in the complex Ru(CO)(3 ){eta(2)-C2H4}(2) has been used to synthesise a series of tricarbonyl ruthe nium compounds of eta(4)-coordinated 1,3-dienes and 1,3-heterodienes. Compl exes of eta(4)-coordinated 1,3-heterodienes could not be isolated due to th eir extreme reactivity. Selected reactions were performed to replace a carb onyl at the metal centre with a phosphite, or to modify the coordinated lig and by standard methodologies. Single crystal X-ray analyses have been perf ormed on the complexes [Ru(CO)(3){(E,E)-1,4-diphenylbuta-1,3-diene}], [Ru(C O)(3){ethyl(E,E)-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dien-1-oate}]. [Ru(CO)(3){(E,E)-5-phenyl penta-2,4-dienal}] and [Ru(CO)(3){(E,E)-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dienol}] and indi cate a change in electronic environment within the diene moiety on coordina tion. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.