Synthesis and properties of a series of ruthenium dihydrogen complexes

Abstract

Since the initial discovery by Kubas, dihydrogen complexes of the transition metals have been the subject of considerable interest since they may serve as models for the very important process of oxidative addition of dihydrogen. In this context, Kubas has recently reported a tungsten complex in which a dihydride is in reversible equilibrium with a dihydrogen complex. The authors now report further examples of such equilibria in cationic complexes of ruthenium.