C–H activation of benzene with Cp ∗Ru(CO) 2CH 3

Abstract

Irradiation of Cp ∗Ru(CO) 2CH 3 ( 1) in C 6D 6 at room temperature yields Cp ∗Ru(CO) 2C 6D 5 and CH 3D (where Cp ∗ = n 5-C 5Me 5). Cp ∗Ru(CO) 2CD 3 ( 2) has also been prepared and similar irradiation in C 6H 6 yields Cp ∗Ru(CO) 2C 6H 5 ( 3) and CD 3H. This latter reaction confirms that it is the methyl group bonded to ruthenium that is involved in the C–H activation process and not the methyl groups on the Cp ∗ ligand system. The compound Cp ∗Ru(CO) 2C 6H 5 ( 3) has been prepared for the first time in good yield by the reaction of Cp ∗Ru(CO) 2Br with NaBPh 4. X-ray crystal structures of both Cp ∗Ru(CO) 2CH 3 ( 1) and Cp ∗Ru(CO) 2C 6H 5 ( 3) have been determined and the results are reported and discussed.