Complexes of general formula [Ru(S–S)2L2][(S–S)–=–S2PR2(R = Me, Et, Ph), –S2CNMe2; L = PPh3, PMe2Ph, PMePh2, P(OPh)3etc.] have been synthesised by the reaction of various ruthenium(II) and (III) tertiary phosphine and phosphite complexes with Na(S–S). For (S–S)–=–S2PR2, these compounds are readily carbonylated to give the monocarbonyls [Ru(S2PR2)2L(CO)]. However, the dicarbonyls can be synthesised directly, from ruthenium carbonyl halides and NaS2PR2. Although the corresponding dithiocarbamates are resistant to carbonylation, all these compounds undergo ligand exchange reactions with ligands of greater basicity (L′) to give either [Ru(S–S)2LL′] and/or [Ru(S–S)2L′2]. All these compounds have been thoroughly examined by i.r., mass, and 1H n.m.r. spectroscopy and the latter indicates a cis-configuration. Most of these compounds also show temperature variable 1H n.m.r. spectra, attributable to facile interconversion of optical enantiomers (for the –S2PR2 compounds), restricted rotation about the –CN bond (for the –S2CNMe2 compounds), and, in some cases, hindered rotation about the ruthenium–phosphorus bonds.Finally, for [Ru(S2PR2)2(PMe2Ph)2], carbonylation gives, in addition to [Ru(S2PR2)2(PMe2Ph)CO], two isomers of formula [Ru(S2PR2)2(PMe2Ph)2CO]. The structures of these compounds have been established by 1H, 31P n.m.r., and double resonance studies and a general mechanism of carbonylation for these compounds is proposed.
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