The reaction of 2-methylbenzenethiol with 2 equiv of BuLi followed by, (i-P
r)(2)NBCl2 affords 2,3-dihydro-2-(diisopropylamino)-1,2-benzothiaborole (10
), which can be deprotonated by t-BuLi to form lithium 2-(diisopropylamino)
-1,2-benzothiaborolide (3). The benzothiaborolide was converted to the Cp*Z
rCl2 complex II and the Cp*Ru complex. 12, in which the thiaborolide ring i
s eta (5)-coordinated to Ru.