Zur Reaktionsweise von Enaminen mit Cyclopropenonen I. Einsatz von Cyclododecanon-Enamin

Monomethyl-, dimethyl-, di-n-propyl- and diphenyl-cyclopropenone ( 6 to 9 ) have been reacted with 1-(N-pyrrolidino)-cyclododecene ( 5 ) and three types of products isolated. The major products (40–7% yield) were shown to have the 3 -(cyclododec-1′-E-enyl)Z-/or E-acryl-pyrrolidide structure ( 12 , 13 / 14 , 15 / 16 , 17 ) by their spectral properties and lithium aluminium hydride reductions as well as, in one case ( 13 ), by an alternative synthesis of a stereomer ( 34 ) via 1-(cyclododec-E-ene)-carboxaldehyde ( 29 ) and a Wittig reaction. These ‘amides’ are the result of a novel reaction, called ‘C, N-insertion’. In the reactions of the symmetrical cyclopropenes 7 to 9 with 5 , the minor products (6–10%) proved to have the 2,4-disubstituted cyclopentadeca-4-E-en-1,3-dione structures 38 to 40 . These ‘β-diketones’ are considered to be the hydrolysed forms of the intermediate 1-(N-pyrrolidino)-cyclopentadeca-1,4-dien-3-ones ( 45 ).They are formed by reactions (called ‘C,C-insertions’), which represent the first cases of direct ring expansions by three carbon atoms. Such ‘C,C-insertions’ have been postulated previously by other authors. However, their products do not behave like precursors of our ‘β-diketones’ but rather like our ‘amides’. It is proposed therefore, that a reinterpretation of these reactions in the literature must be considered in the light of our ‘C, N-insertion’. In one reaction ( 8 + 5 ) a bicyclo[10. 3. 0]pentadeca-12-en-14-one dericative 42 was found in 10% yield. This type of product and reaction (called ‘condensation’) has been reported previously. A suggestion is made for a systematic representation of the several types of reactions, which cyclopropenones can undergo with enamines. – Mixing 9 + 5 in the cold produced an intermediate, which insomerised on heating to the ‘amide’ 17 . Its properties are compared with those of recently described similar ‘primary adducts’ and the latter are reexamined in the light of the new product interpretations reported in this paper. A novel structure is considered for this intermediate, that a of cycle ‘ammonium acylid’ 51 . An attempt is made at the formulation of other possible intermediates.     

Orbital Correspondence Analysis in Maximum Symmetry

A method is described in which the ‘allowed’ course of a reaction is determined by means of an analysis – within the symmetry point group common to reactants and products – of their molecular orbitals and of the distortions that occur along the reaction path connecting them. The procedure, and its relation to and advantages over conventional correlation methods, is illustrated with a few very well known reactions: Cyclization of hexatriene, the ‘photochemical Diels-Alder reaction’ and the stepwise and concerted [2+2]-cycloadditions.     

Three-Component Reactions with Sterically Crowded 2,2,4,4-Tetramethyl-3-thioxocyclobutanone,Phenyl Azide,and Electron-Deficient C,C-Dipolarophiles

In order to trap ‘thiocarbonyl-aminides’ A , formed as intermediates in the reaction of thiocarbonyl compounds with phenyl azide, a mixture of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-3-thioxocyclobutanone ( 1 ), phenyl azide, and fumarodinitrile ( 8 ) was heated to 80° until evolution of N₂ ceased. Two interception products of the ‘thiocarbonylaminide’ A (Ar?Ph) were formed: the known 1,4,2-dithiazolidine 3 (cf. Scheme 1) and the new 1,2-thiazolidine 12 (Scheme 2). The structure of the latter was established by X-ray crystallography (Fig.1). The analogous ‘three-component reaction’ with dimethyl fumarate ( 9 ) yielded, instead of 8 , in addition to the known interception products 3 and 6 (Scheme 1), two unexpected products 15 and 16 (Scheme 3), of which the structures were elucidated by X-ray crystallography (Fig.2). Their formation is rationalized by a primary [2 + 3] cycloaddition of diazo compound 18 with 1 to give 19 , followed by a cascade of further reactions (Scheme 4).     

On triazoles XVIII. . an unexpected rearrangement observed during the reaction of 5-amino-1,2,4-triazoles with N-heterocyclic β-oxo-esters

In the course of the synthesis of pyrido[4,3-d]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives 3c representing a novel ring system an unexpected rearrangement of the intermediate enamines to yield 5 was observed. A mechanism of the formation of 5 was suggested. The isomeric pyrido[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives 4c containing also a new ring system were obtained, too. The structure of products obtained was proved with the help of their uv, cmr and X-ray spectra.     

Novel Synthesis of 2‐Alkylquinolizinium‐1‐olates and Their 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions with Acetylenes

Several 2‐alkylquinolizinium‐1‐olates 9 , i.e., heterobetaines, were prepared from ketone 11 , the latter being readily available either from pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde via a Grignard reaction, followed by oxidation with MnO₂, or from 2‐picolinic acid (=pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid) via the corresponding Weinreb amide and subsequent Grignard reaction. Mesoionic heterobetaines such as quinolizinium derivatives have the potential to undergo cycloaddition reactions with double and triple bonds, e.g., 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions or Diels? Alder reactions. We here report on the scope and limitations of cycloaddition reactions of 2‐alkylquinolizinium‐1‐olates 9 with electron‐poor acetylene derivatives. As main products of the reaction, 5‐oxopyrrolo[2,1,5‐de]quinolizines (=‘[2.3.3]cyclazin‐5‐ones’) 19 were formed via a regioselective [2+3] cycloaddition, and cyclohexadienone derivatives, formed via a Diels? Alder reaction, were obtained as side products. The structures of 2‐benzylquinolizinium‐1‐olate ( 9a ) and two ‘[2.3.3]cyclazin‐5‐ones’ 19i and 19l were established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Reaction of nitric oxide at the beta-carbon of enamines. A new method of preparing compounds containing the diazeniumdiolate functional group

The reaction of nitric oxide (NO) with enamines has been investigated. Unlike previously reported reactions of NO as a free radical with alkenes, the electrophilic addition of NO to the beta-carbon of enamines results in the formation of compounds containing the diazeniumdiolate functional group (-[N(O)NO](-)). This reaction between NO and enamines has been shown to be quite general and a variety of enamine-derived diazeniumdiolates have been isolated and characterized. While enamines derived from aldehydes and ketones whose structures allow for sequential multiple electrophilic additions tended to undergo overreaction leading to unstable products, it has been shown that this complication may be overcome by suitable choice of reaction solvent. The products obtained may exist as zwitterionic iminium salts or as neutral species depending upon the structure of the parent enamine. The diazeniumdiolate derived from 1-(N-morpholino)cyclohexene is unique among the new compounds in that it spontaneously releases NO upon dissolution in buffered aqueous solution at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. While the total quantity of NO released by this material (ca. 7% of the theoretical 2 moles) is apparently limited by a competing reaction in which it hydrolyzes to an alpha-diazeniumdiolated carbonyl compound and the parent amine, this feature may prove to be of great value in the development of multiaction pharmaceuticals based upon this new type of NO-releasing compound. Reports of enzymatic (oxidative) release of NO from previously known carbon-bound diazeniumdiolates also suggest that analogues of these compounds may be useful as pharmaceutical agents. This new method of introducing the relatively rarely studied diazeniumdiolate functional group into organic compounds should lead to further research into its chemical and biological properties.     

Solvolysen von 4-Alkylidenbicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-olen. Synthese von 1-Vinylfulvenen und 8,8-Diphenylheptafulven

Solvolysis of 4-Alkydenbicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-oles. Synthesis of 1-Vinylfulvenes and 8,8-Diphenylheptafulvene Four 4-alkylidenebicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-ones 2–5 , obtained via ketene cycloaddition to fulvenes, were reduced to separated mixtures of the ‘endo’ -alcohols ‘endo’- 6 to ‘endo’- 9 (68–73%) and ‘exo’- 6 to ‘exo’- 9 (3–20%). Treatment of some of these alcohols with (CF₃SO₂)₂O in CH₂Cl₂/pyridine caused a spontaneous solvolysis to yield unsaturated 7-membered rings as pyridinium triflates 10–12 or 1-vinylfulvenes 13 and 14 , a new class of reactive tetraenes: Both ‘endo’- 9 and ‘exo’- 9 , having two methyl groups at C(7), were converted into the vinylfulvene 13 (≈ 80%). The alcohols with two H-atoms at C(7) exhibited a stereochemically controlled reaction selectivity, inasmuch as ‘endo’- 6 to ‘endo’- 8 afforded only the corresponding 7-membered-ring pyridinium salts 10–12 (66–79%), while ‘exo’- 6 produced only the vinylfulvene 14 (77%). A stereoelectronic control argument explains the C(1), C(5)-bond cleavage with ‘endo’- B and ‘endo’– 6 -‘endo’- 8 , as well as the C(1), C(7)-bond cleavage with ‘exo’- B , ‘exo’- 6 , and with both ‘endo’- and ‘exo’- 9 . Thermolysis (120°) of the pyridinium triflates 10 and 11 yielded the 3-isopropenyl-cycloheptatrienes 18 and 19 , respectively (≈90%); similar conditions (145°) applied to the triflate 12 produced the doubly cyclized fluorene derivative 21 (60%). When the iodide 22 derived from the triflate 12 with Nal was heated in refluxing toluene, 8,8-diphenylheptafulvene ( 23 , 86%) was obtained.     

Phosphine-Catalyzed [4+1] Cycloadditions of Allenes with Methyl Ketimines,Enamines, and a Primary Amine

Unprecedented phosphine-catalyzed [4+1] cycloadditions of allenyl imides have been discovered using various N-based substrates including methyl ketimines, enamines, and a primary amine. These transformations provide a one-pot access to cyclopentenoyl enamines and imines, or (chiral) γ-lactams through two geminal C−C bond or two C−N bond formations, respectively. Several P-based key intermediates including a 1,4-(bis)electrophilic α,β-unsaturated ketenyl phosphonium species have been detected by ³¹P NMR and HRMS analyses, which shed light on the postulated catalytic cycle. The synthetic utility of this new chemistry has been demonstrated through a gram-scaling up of the catalytic reaction as well as regioselective hydrogenation and double condensation to form cyclopentanoyl enamines and fused pyrazole building blocks, respectively.     

Synthesis of inorganic polymers as glass precursors and for other uses: Pre-ceramic block or graft copolymers as potential precursors to composite materials

Pre-ceramic block or graft copolymers may offer entrée into nanocomposite ceramics provided the two homopolymers are immiscible and one can carefully control the size of the blocks or grafts. We are exploring the possibility of making copolymers from methylsilsesquioxane, ? [MeSi(O)_1.5]_x? , (SiO), a precursor to ‘black glass’ and the polysilazane, ? [MeHSiNH]_x? , (SiMe), a precursor to silicon carbide nitride. Our initial effors have been directed towards delineating the chemical transformations that SiO, prepared by room-temperature catalytic redistribution of ? [MeHSiO]_x? using Cp₂ TiMe₂ as the catalyst (0.1 wt %), undergoes as it is heated to 900 °C in nitrogen. We find that, although Cp₂ TiMe₂ will not catalyze the redistribution of SiMe at room temperature, in the presence of even small amounts of ? [MeHSiO]_x? it is an active catalyst precursor and a copolymer can be formed. Spectra and chemical composition studies on the pyrolysis products of the copolymers and SiO are described.     

Convenient and Efficient Synthesis of 11‐Amino‐2,8‐substituted‐2,3,8,9‐tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]thieno[2,3‐b]quinolinone Derivatives

The Gewald reactions of 5‐substituted‐1,3‐cyclohexanedione, malononitrile, and powdered sulfur were carried out to give the corresponding products 2‐amino‐5‐substituted‐7‐oxo‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene‐3‐carbonitrile derivatives 1 . The intermediate enamines 2 were prepared by reaction of compounds 1 and 5‐substituted‐1,3‐cyclohexanedione with hydrochloric acid as catalyst. The title compounds 11‐amino‐2,8‐substituted‐2,3,8,9‐tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]thieno[2,3‐b]quinolinone 3 were synthesized by cyclization of compounds 2 in the presence of K₂CO₃ and Cu₂Cl₂. The structures of all compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, MS, and ¹H‐NMR spectra.     

Hypervalent Iodine(III)‐Mediated Benzannulation of Enamines with Alkynes: an Efficient Synthesis of Substituted Aminonaphthoic Acid Derivatives

An intermolecular two C? C bond formation procedure for the synthesis of carbocycles mediated by hypervalent iodine(III) reagents was developed. This metal free protocol provided a new approach for the synthesis of useful substituted 1‐amino‐2‐naphthoic acid derivatives via benzannulation reactions. Various N‐unsubstituted and N‐alkyl substituted aromatic enamines with terminal alkynes and non‐terminal alkynes can be converted into corresponding 1‐amino‐2‐naphthoic acid derivatives under mild reaction conditions. When meta‐substituted phenyl enamines were employed in the reaction, two cyclization paths were detected in the reaction and ortho‐cyclization products were the only or major products. Good functional group tolerance, readily available material and high atom utilization efficiency make this method a potential procedure which may find broad application in organic synthesis.     

Phosphine‐Catalyzed [4+1] Cycloadditions of Allenes with Methyl Ketimines,Enamines, and a Primary Amine

Unprecedented phosphine‐catalyzed [4+1] cycloadditions of allenyl imides have been discovered using various N‐based substrates including methyl ketimines, enamines, and a primary amine. These transformations provide a one‐pot access to cyclopentenoyl enamines and imines, or (chiral) γ‐lactams through two geminal C?C bond or two C?N bond formations, respectively. Several P‐based key intermediates including a 1,4‐(bis)electrophilic α,β‐unsaturated ketenyl phosphonium species have been detected by ³¹P NMR and HRMS analyses, which shed light on the postulated catalytic cycle. The synthetic utility of this new chemistry has been demonstrated through a gram‐scaling up of the catalytic reaction as well as regioselective hydrogenation and double condensation to form cyclopentanoyl enamines and fused pyrazole building blocks, respectively.     

Pyridazines. LXX. Reactions of azidoazolopyridazines with unsaturated compounds

Cycloaddition reactions of azidoazolopyridazines with unsaturated esters, cyclic enol ethers, styrene, 2-vinyl-pyridine, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene, dicyclopentadiene and dehydrobenzene were investigated. The reaction proceed via the intermediate Δ² -1,2,3-triazolines which were in most cases termolabile and decomposed further to give the final products which were enamines, imines of fused aziridines.     

Single-phase and heterophase solid-state chemical kinetics of thermally induced methyl transfer in tetraglycine methyl ester

To better understand the general interrelationships between chemical transformations and physical transformations in solid-state reactions, we have studied the kinetics of methyl transfer in polycrystalline samples of tetraglycine methyl ester [TGME] over the temperature range of 83°C–115°C. Changes in the concentrations of the reactant and various intermediates (sarcosyltriglycine methyl ester METGME, and tetraglycine TG) and products (sarcosyltriglycine METG and N N-dimethyl glycyl triglycine Me₂TG) were measured over the entire time course of the reaction using HPLC. Corresponding measurements of physical transformations occurring during the course of the reactions were made using X-ray powder diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry. Kinetic curves for the loss of TGME in the range of 83°C–115°C have a sigmoldal shape and collapse into one curve when plotted in terms of reduced time. t/t_0.5, as do plots of intermediate and product concentration plotted in the same manner. The first 25% of the reaction proceeds homogeneously through what is believed to be the formation of a crystalline solid solution of the intermediates and products in the reactant. The acceleratory character of the kinetic curves in the single-phase portion of the reaction has been described by a kinetic scheme that contains a concentration-dependent rate constant. The apperance of a new crystalline phase beyond 35% of the reaction changes the reaction mechanism from a bulk reaction to an interface-controlled process that causes further acceleration of the methyl transfer. The apparent activation energies for both single-phase and heterophase stages of the reaction are about 100–130 kJ/mole © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 339–348, 1997     

Organocatalyzed Michael Addition of Aldehydes to Nitro Alkenes – Generally Accepted Mechanism Revisited and Revised

The amine‐catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition of aldehydes to nitro alkenes (Scheme 1) is known to be acid‐catalyzed (Fig. 1). A mechanistic investigation of this reaction, catalyzed by diphenylprolinol trimethylsilyl ether is described. Of the 13 acids tested, 4‐NO₂? C₆H₄OH turned out to be the most effective additive, with which the amount of catalyst could be reduced to 1 mol‐% (Tables 2–5). Fast formation of an amino‐nitro‐cyclobutane 12 was discovered by in situ NMR analysis of a reaction mixture. Enamines, preformed from the prolinol ether and aldehydes (benzene/molecular sieves), and nitroolefins underwent a stoichiometric reaction to give single all‐trans‐isomers of cyclobutanes (Fig. 3) in a [2+2] cycloaddition. This reaction was shown, in one case, to be acid‐catalyzed (Fig. 4) and, in another case, to be thermally reversible (Fig. 5). Treatment of benzene solutions of the isolated amino‐nitro‐cyclobutanes with H₂O led to mixtures of 4‐nitro aldehydes (the products 7 of overall Michael addition) and enamines 13 derived thereof (Figs. 6–9). From the results obtained with specific examples, the following tentative, general conclusions are drawn for the mechanism of the reaction (Schemes 2 and 3): enamine and cyclobutane formation are fast, as compared to product formation; the zwitterionic primary product 5 of C,C‐bond formation is in equilibrium with the product of its collapse (the cyclobutane) and with its precursors (enamine and nitro alkene); when protonated at its nitronate anion moiety the zwitterion gives rise to an iminium ion 6 , which is hydrolyzed to the desired nitro aldehyde 7 or deprotonated to an enamine 13 . While the enantioselectivity of the reaction is generally very high (>97% ee), the diastereoselectivity depends upon the conditions, under which the reaction is carried out (Fig. 10 and Tables 1–5). Various acid‐catalyzed steps have been identified. The cyclobutanes 12 may be considered an off‐cycle ‘reservoir’ of catalyst, and the zwitterions 5 the ‘key players’ of the process (bottom part of Scheme 2 and Scheme 3).     

Reactions of (E)-3,3,3-trichloro(trifluoro)-1-nitropropenes with enamines derived from cycloalkanones. A new type of ring-chain tautomerism in a series of cyclobutane derivatives and stereochemistry of the products

Depending on the reaction conditions, the reactions of (E)-3,3,3-trichloro-1-nitropropene with cyclohexanone enamines led to bicyclo[4.2.0]octanes or trisubstituted enamines, which are the ring-chain tautomers capable of reversible transformations. Diastereoselectivity of the reactions of (E)-3,3,3-trichloro(trifluoro)-1-nitropropenes with cycloalkanone enamines were studied, a series of hitherto unknown CX₃-containing nitroalkylated enamines and γ-nitro ketones were synthesized, the structures of novel compounds were determined by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.     

Remote Tricarbonyl(diene)iron Substituent Effect on Ester Heterolysis. The Solvolyses of 5,6,7,8-Tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-yl Methanesulfonate and of its Tricarbonyliron Mono- and Dinuclear Complexes

Buffered acetolyses and hydrolyses of 5,6,7,8-tetramethylidenbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-yl methanesulfonate ( 17 ), of its ‘syn-endo’ ( 18 ), ‘syn-exo’ ( 19 ), ‘anti-endo’ ( 20 ), ‘anti-exo’ ( 21 ) tricarbonyliron complexes and of its ‘anti-exo,syn-endo’ ( 22 ) and ‘anti-endo,syn-exo’ ( 23 ) bis(tricarbonyliron) dinuclear complexes have been investigated (product analysis and kinetics). In contract with the solvolyses of the uncomplexed mesylate 17 , the solvolyses of the complexed esters can be highly chemo- and stereoselective. The nature of the products (non-rearranged bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2yl vs. rearranged bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-yl derivatives) depends on the relative configuration of the tricarbonyl(diene)iron moieties and on the medium. The rates of solvolyses of 17 are only slightly affected by complexation of one or both s-cis-butadiene units with Fe(CO)₃ groups, except in the cases where the diene moiety ‘anti’ with respect to the mesylate is complexed onto its ‘endo’ face ( 20,23 ). In these cases, significant rate-retardation effects are observed, consistent with the inductive effect of the Fe(CO)₃ substituent. Such retardation effects are overwhelmed by competing accelerating homoallylic participation by uncoordinated ‘anti’ -diene moieties ( 18,19 ) or, as in the case of the ‘anti-exo’-Fe(CO)₃ complexes 21 and 22 , by possible direct metal participation to the ionization process.     

Chemoselectivity of the Reactions of Diazomethanes with 5‐Benzylidene‐3‐phenylrhodanine

The reactions of 5‐benzylidene‐3‐phenylrhodanine ( 2 ; rhodanine=2‐thioxo‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐one) with diazomethane ( 7a ) and phenyldiazomethane ( 7b ) occurred chemoselectively at the exocyclic C?C bond to give the spirocyclopropane derivatives 9 and, in the case of 7a , also the C‐methylated products 8 (Scheme 1). In contrast, diphenyldiazomethane ( 7c ) reacted exclusively with the C?S group leading to the 2‐(diphenylmethylidene)‐1,3‐thiazolidine 11 via [2+3] cycloaddition and a ‘two‐fold extrusion reaction’. Treatment of 8 or 9b with an excess of 7a in refluxing CH₂Cl₂ and in THF at room temperature in the presence of [Rh₂(OAc)₄], respectively, led to the 1,3‐thiazolidine‐2,4‐diones 15 and 20 , respectively, i.e., the products of the hydrolysis of the intermediate thiocarbonyl ylide. On the other hand, the reactions with 7b and 7c in boiling toluene yielded the corresponding 2‐methylidene derivatives 16, 21a , and 21b . Finally, the reaction of 11 with 7a occurred exclusively at the electron‐poor C?C bond, which is conjugated with the C?O group. In addition to the spirocyclopropane 23 , the C‐methylated 22 was formed as a minor product. The structures of the products (Z)‐ 8, 9a, 9b, 11 , and 23 were established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Two‐ and Three‐Component Reactions Leading to New Enamines Derived from 2,3‐Dicyanobut‐2‐enoates

The three‐component reactions of 1‐azabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes 1 , dicyanofumarates (E)‐ 5 , and MeOH or morpholine yielded azetidine enamines 8 and 9 with the cis‐orientation of the ester groups at the C?C bond ((E)‐configuration; Schemes 3 and 4). The structures of 8a and 9d were confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The formation of the products is explained via the nucleophilic addition of 1 onto (E)‐ 5 , leading to a zwitterion of type 7 (Scheme 2), which is subsequently trapped by MeOH or morpholine ( 10a ), followed by elimination of HCN. Similarly, two‐component reactions between secondary amines 10a – 10c and (E)‐ 5 gave products 12 with an (E)‐enamine structure and (Z)‐oriented ester groups. On the other hand, two‐component reactions involving primary amines 10d – 10f or NH₃ led to the formation of the corresponding (Z)‐enamines, in which the (E)‐orientation of ester groups was established.     

Rational Control of Conformational Distributions and Mixed‐Valence Characteristics in Diruthenium Complexes

The electronic characteristics of mixed‐valence complexes are often inferred from the shape of the inter‐valence charge transfer (IVCT) band, which usually falls in the near infrared (NIR) region, and relationships derived from Marcus‐Hush theory. These analyses typically assume one single, dominant molecular conformation. The NIR spectra of the prototypical delocalised (Class III Robin–Day mixed‐valence) complexes [{Ru(pp)Cp’}₂(μ‐C≡C?C≡C)]⁺ ([ 1 ]⁺: Cp’=Cp, pp=(PPh₃)₂; [ 2 ]⁺: Cp’=Cp, pp=dppe; [ 3 ]⁺: Cp’=Cp*, pp=dppe) feature a ‘two‐band’ pattern, which complicates band‐shape analysis using these traditional methods. In the past, the appearance of sub‐bands within or near the IVCT transition has been attributed to vibronic effects or localised d‐d transitions. Quantum‐chemical modelling of a series of rotational conformers of [ 1 ]⁺–[ 3 ]⁺ reveals the two components that contribute to the NIR absorption band envelope to be a π‐π* transition and an MLCT transition. The MLCT components only gain appreciable intensity when the orientation of the half‐sandwich ruthenium ligand spheres deviates from idealised cis (Ω P?Ru?Ru?P=0°) or trans (Ω P?Ru?Ru?P=180°) conformations. The increased steric demand of the supporting ligands, together with some underlying inter‐phosphine ligand T‐shaped CH???π stacking interactions across the series [ 1 ]⁺ to [ 2 ]⁺ to [ 3 ]⁺ results in local minima biased towards such non‐idealised conformations of the metal‐ligand fragments (Ω P?Ru?Ru?P=33–153°). Experimentally, this is indicated by appearance of multiple bands within the IR (C≡C) band envelopes and increasing intensity of the higher‐energy MLCT transition(s) relative to the π‐π* transition across the series, and the appearance of a pronounced ‘two‐band’ pattern in the experimental NIR absorption envelopes. These conformational effects and the methods of analysis presented here, which combine analysis of IR and NIR spectra with quantum‐chemical calculations on a range of energetically similar conformational minima, are expected to be quite general for mixed‐valence systems.