Silver(I)-mediated isomerisation of trans-[RuCl2( P-P)(2)] (P-P=4-memberedring chelate diphosphine ligand) and its application in the syntheses of [RuCI(L) (P-P)(2)] (L = neutral ligand)

Conversion of trans-[RuCl2(P-P)(2)] (P-P=4-membered chelate diphosphine) to tis is facilitated by treatment with AgOTf or AgBF4 in 1,2-dichloroethane, which gives mixtures of Ru-Cl-Ag ht terobimetallic complexes with tis ster eochemistry at Ru(II), characterised by P-31{H-1} and H-1 NMR spectroscopy and by FAB mass spectrometly. Treatment of these mixtures with neutral liga nds (CO, CH,CN) gives cis-[RuCl(L) (P-P)(2)](+), whereas simultaneous treat ment of trans-[RuCl2(P-P)(2)] with L and Ag(I) salt gives trans-[RuCl(L) (P -P)(2)](+). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.