MONONUCLEAR INDOLINE COMPLEXES - 2 - SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE, AND REACTIVITY OF [(CYMENE)RU(ETA(1)-N-INDOLINE)(CH3CN)(2)](OTF)(2)

The complex [(cymene)Ru(eta(1)-indoline)(CH3CN)(2)](OTf)(2), 1, has be en synthesized by the reaction of [(cymene)Ru(OTf)(2)](x) with indolin e in acid solution and characterized by an X-ray diffraction study. Bo nd distances for the indoline ligand are compared to those reported re cently for other eta(1)- and eta(6)-indoline complexes. Complex 1 rear ranged to [(cymene)Ru(eta(6)-indoline)](OTf)(2) when heated in dichlor omethane solution. The titration of an aqueous solution of 1 has been carried out, and the pK(a) of the coordinated ligand was determined to be 5.2. The value is similar to that reported for the indolinium ion. Ligand-exchange reactions of 1 have been studied. Deprotonation of th e eta(1)-indoline ligand in 1 results in dehydrogenation of the ligand to form free indole and ruthenium hydride products. The deprotonation of 1 in the presence of an alkene has been found to result in a hydro gen-transfer reaction to form alkane. Characteristics of the hydrogen- transfer reactions are discussed.