Highly active phosphine-free carbene ruthenium catalyst for cross-metathesis of acrylonitrile with functionalized olefins

The carbene ruthenium complex [1,3-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene](C₅H₅N)₂(Cl)₂RuCHPh (8) was prepared by the reaction of [1,3-bis (2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene](PPh₃)(Cl)₂RuCHPh (7) with pyridine and used as a highly effective catalyst for the cross-metathesis of acrylonitrile with various functionalized olefins.     

Facile one-step synthesis of bis(NHC) ruthenium benzylidene catalyst for ring-closing metathesis

Bis(NHC) ruthenium benzylidene complex (H₂IMe)₂(Cl)₂RuCHPh (9) [H₂IMe = 1,3-bis(2,6- dimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene] was synthesized facilely by one-step reaction of (PPh₃)₂(Cl)₂RuCHPh (7) with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) H₂IMe (6). Complex 9 proved to exhibit remarkable catalytic activity for ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction at increased temperature.     

Highly active ruthenium-based catalyst for metathesis of cyano-contained olefins

Ruthenium benzylidene complex (H₂IMes)(2-CH₃-C₅H₄N)(Cl)₂RuCHPh [H₂IMes = 1,3-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene] (4), which introduced ortho substituted pyridine as dissociating ligand to weaken Ru-N bond and accelerate initiation through steric hindrance, was prepared by the reaction of (H₂IMes)(PPh₃)(Cl)₂RuCHPh (1) with 2-methylpyridine and proved to exhibit enhanced catalytic activity for cyano-contained olefin metathesis.     

A ruthenium(II) allenylidene complex with a 4,5-diazafluorene functional group: A new building-block for organometallic molecular assemblies

The synthesis of the new ruthenium(II) allenylidene complex [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂][OTf] (4) (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) terminated with a 4,5-diazafluorene ligand is reported. Further coordination of that metal allenylidene to ruthenium and rhenium moieties leads to the bimetallic adducts [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Ru(bpy)₂}][B(C₆F₅)₄]₃ (5a), [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Ru(^tBu-bpy)₂}][PF₆]₃ (5b) and [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Re(CO)₃Cl}][OTf] (6). Their optical and electrochemical properties show that the allenylidene moiety is an attractive molecular clip for the access to larger original redox-active homo/heteronuclear multi-component supramolecular assemblies. The X-ray crystal structure of the allenylidene metal building block is also described.     

Synthesis of ruthenium phenylindenylidene, carbyne, allenylidene and vinylmethylidene complexes from (PPh3)3−4RuCl2: A mechanistic and structural investigation

The reaction of (Ph₃P)₃RuCl₂ with 1,1-diphenyl-2-propyn-1-ol was investigated in various solvents. The reaction in thf under reflux is reported to produce the (PPh₃)₂Cl₂Ru(3-phenylindenylidene) complex (3) which has undergone rearrangement of the allenylidene C₃-spine. We have improved the reliability of the reported synthesis by adding acetyl chloride which converts the formed water of the reaction and thus increases the acidity of the reaction solution. Without the additive, we observed the exclusive formation of an intermediate of the transformation and identified it as dinuclear (PPh₃)₂ClRu(μ-Cl)₃(PPh₃)₂RuCCCPh₂ complex (5). The reaction of (Ph₃P)₃₋₄RuCl₂ with 1,1-diphenyl-2-propyn-1-ol in CH₂Cl₂ or C₂H₄Cl₂ under reflux in the presence of excess conc. aqueous HCl afforded the new, neutral (PPh₃)₂Cl₃RuC-CHCPh₂ carbyne complex (7), an HCl adduct of previously elusive (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuCCCPh₂ complex 6 in high yields. In contrast to the formation of complex 3, the reaction in a non-coordinating solvent did not afford the rearrangement of the allenylidene C₃-spine. Complex 7 was converted into complex 3 in thf under reflux under loss of a molecule HCl. Complex 7 was converted with triethylamine under loss of HCl to complex 6. Pentacoordinate complex 6 was crystallized in the presence of O-donor ligands (EtOH, MeOH and H₂O) to give hexacoordinate (PPh₃)₂Cl₂(ROH)RuCCCPh₂ (R = H, CH₃, C₂H₅) complexes (9)-(11) with the O-donor coordinating in trans-position to the allenylidene moiety. The reaction of complex 7 with 2 equiv. of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) gave hexacoordinate (PPh₃)₂Cl₂(DMAP)RuCCCPh₂complex (12) with one molecule DMAP also coordinating in trans-position to the allenylidene group. Methanol and acetic acid in the absence of strong bases afforded the Fischer-carbene complexes (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuC(OCH₃)-CHCPh₂ (14) and (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuC(OAc)-CHCPh₂ (15) where the nucleophile added to the α-carbon atom. The structures of complexes 5, 7, 9-11, 14, and 15 were solved via X-ray crystallography.     

From alkenylphosphane aminoallenylidene ruthenium(II) complexes to highly unsaturated ruthenaphosphabicycloheptene complexes

The alkenylaminoallenylidene complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCC(NEt₂)[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (2) has been prepared by the reaction of the allenylidene [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇)(CCCPh₂){κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (1) with the ynamine MeCCNEt₂. The reaction proceeds regio- and stereoselectively, and the insertion of the ynamine takes place exclusively at the C_βC_γ bond of the unsaturated chain. The secondary allenylidene [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCC(H)[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (3) is obtained, in a one-pot synthesis, from the reaction of aminoallenylidene 2 with LiBHEt₃ and subsequent treatment with silica. Moreover, the addition of an excess of NaBH₄ to a solution of the complex 2 in THF at room temperature gives exclusively the alkynyl complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCCH₂[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)] (5). The heating of a solution of allenylidene derivative 3 in THF at reflux gives regio- and diastereoselectively the cyclobutylidene complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇) (PPh₃)][PF₆](4) through an intramolecular cycloaddition of the CC allyl and the C_αC_β bonds in the allenylidene complex 3. The structure of complex 4 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Dimerisation and reactivity of HCCCCFc at ruthenium centres

In contrast to the simple diynyl complexes formed in reactions between HCCCCFc and MCl(dppe)Cp∗; (M = Fe, Ru), an analogous reaction with RuCl(PPh₃)₂Cp∗; in the presence of KPF₆ and dbu resulted in dimerisation of the diyne at the Ru centre to afford a mixture of [Ru{η¹,η²-C(CCFc)C(L)CHCCCHFc}(PPh₃)Cp∗]PF₆ (L = dbu 1, PPh₃2). Similar reactions with RuCl(PR₃)₂L gave [Ru{η¹,η²-C(CCFc)C(dbu)CHCCCHFc}(PR₃)L]PF₆ (L = Cp, R = Ph 3, m-tol 4; L = η⁵-C₉H₇, R = Ph 5). The reaction between 3 and I₂, followed by crystallization of the paramagnetic product from MeOH, afforded the dicationic [Ru{C(CCFc)C(dbu)CHC(OMe)C(OMe)CHFc}(PPh₃)Cp](I₃)₂6. The molecular structures of 2·2CH₂Cl₂ and 6.S (S = 2CH₂Cl₂, C₆H₆) were determined by single-crystal XRD studies.     

CO substitution in HRu3(CO)10(μ-COMe) by the unsaturated diphosphine ligand 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (bpcd): Synthesis and reactivity studies of the face-capped cluster Ru3(CO)7(μ3-COMe)[μ-P(Ph)CC(PPh2)C(O)CH2C(O)]

The reaction of the methylidyne-bridged cluster HRu₃(CO)₁₀(μ-COMe) (1) with the diphosphine ligand 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (bpcd) and Me₃NO furnishes HRu₃(CO)₈(μ-COMe)(bpcd) (2) and HRu₃(CO)₈(Ph₂PH)[μ-PPh₂CCC(O)CH₂C(O)] (3) as the major and minor products, respectively. The ¹H and ³¹P NMR data indicate that the bpcd ligand in 2 is chelated to one of the ruthenium atoms that is bridged by the hydride and methylidyne ligands. Thermolysis of 2 is accompanied by P-Ph bond cleavage and elimination of benzene to yield Ru₃(CO)₇(μ₃-COMe)[μ-P(Ph)CC(PPh₂)C(O)CH₂C(O)] (4). Compound 4 consists of a triangular ruthenium core that is face-capped by μ₃-COMe methylidyne and μ-P(Ph)CC(PPh₂)C(O)CH₂C(O) phosphido ligands. The kinetics for the conversion of 2 → 4 have been measured in toluene solvent over the temperature range 320-343 K, and based on the observed activation parameters and the inhibitory effect of added CO on the reaction, a rate-limiting step involving a dissociative loss of CO is supported. Heating 4 in the presence of H₂ afforded the phosphinidene-capped cluster H₃Ru₃(CO)₇(μ₃-PPh)[μ-CC(PPh₂)C(O)CH₂C(O)] (5). Crystallographic analysis of 5 has confirmed the loss of the methylidyne moiety and the cleavage of the phosphido PhP-C(dione) bond, and the presence of three edge-bridging hydrides is supported by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The reaction of 4 with added PPh₃ and PMe₃ has been investigated; the uptake of a single phosphine ligand occurs regiospecifically at one of the phosphido-bound ruthenium centers to give Ru₃(CO)₆L(μ₃-COMe)[μ-P(Ph)CC(PPh₂)C(O)CH₂C(O)] (PPh₃, 6; PMe₃, 7). Compound 6 contains 48e- and exhibits a structural motif similar to that found in 4. Compound 7 readily adds a second PMe₃ ligand to yield the bis-substituted cluster Ru₃(CO)₆(PMe₃)₂(μ₂-COMe)[μ-P(Ph)CC(PPh₂)C(O)CH₂C(O)] (8). The solid-state structure of 8 confirms the loss of two ruthenium-ruthenium bonds and the conversion of the original face-capping μ₃-COMe ligand to a μ₂-COMe moiety that tethers two non-bonding ruthenium centers. The two PMe₃ ligands in 8 coordinate to the same ruthenium center, and the 9e- P(Ph)CC(PPh₂)C(O)CH₂C(O) ligand binds all three ruthenium atoms through the phosphine, phosphido, alkene, and carbonyl moieties. Near-UV irradiation of 8 leads to loss of CO and polyhedral contraction of the triruthenium frame to yield the 48e- cluster Ru₃(CO)₅(PMe₃)₂(μ₃-COMe)[μ-P(Ph)CC(PPh₂)C(O)CH₂C(O)] (9).     

Some ruthenium complexes containing cyanocarbon ligands: syntheses, structures and extent of electronic communication in binuclear systems

The preparation of several ruthenium complexes containing cyanocarbon anions is reported. Deprotonation (KOBu^t) of [Ru(NCCH₂CN)(PPh₃)₂Cp]PF₆ (1) gives Ru{NCCH(CN)}(PPh₃)₂Cp (2), which adds a second [Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp]⁺ unit to give [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂(μ-NCCHCN)]⁺ (3). Attempted deprotonation of the latter to give the μ-NCCCN complex was unsuccessful. Similar chemistry with tricyanomethanide anion gives Ru{NCC(CN)₂}(PPh₃)₂Cp (4) and [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂{μ-NCC(CN)CN}]PF₆ (5), and with pentacyanopropenide, Ru{NCC(CN)C(CN)C(CN)₂}(PPh₃)₂Cp (6) and [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂{μ-NCC(CN)C(CN)C(CN)CN}]PF₆ (7). The Ru(dppe)Cp* analogues of 6 and 7 (8 and 9) were also prepared. Thermolysis of 6 (refluxing toluene, 12 h) results in loss of PPh₃ and formation of the binuclear cyclic complex {Ru(PPh₃)Cp[μ-NC{C(CN)C(CN)₂}CN]}₂ (10). The solid-state structures of 2-4 and 8-10 have been determined and the nature of the isomers shown to be present in solutions of the binuclear cations 7 and 9 by NMR studies has been probed using Hartree-Fock and density functional theory.     

Synthesis and characterization of (CHCH)n-bridged (n = 1, 2, 3) heterobimetallic and trimetallic ferrocene-ruthenium complexes

A series of heterobinuclear ferrocene-ruthenium complexes Fc(CHCH)_nRuCl(CO)(PMe₃)₃ (n = 1, 3; n = 2, 12), Fc(CHCH)RuCl(CO)(Py)(PPh₃)₂ (4), and trimetallic Fc(CHCH)RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂(Py-E-(CHCH)Fc) (6) have been prepared. The length of the molecular rods is extended by successive insertion of CHCH spacers in the bridging ligands or the ancillary ligands. The respective products have been fully characterized and the structures of 3 and 12 have been established by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies have revealed that ethenyl heterobimetallic complexes display two successive one-electron processes, and that intermetallic electronic communication between the two endgroups is attenuated with the increase of the length of the conjugated bridge. The electrochemical behavior of the trimetallic complex reveals strong electronic communication between ruthenium and ferrocene transmitted through the ethenyl bridge, however, it also reveals a very weak interaction between ruthenium and ferrocene transmitted through the (E)-CHCH-Py bridge.     

Synthesis and reactivity of ruthenium tetrazolate complexes containing a tris(pyrazolyl)borato (Tp) ligand

Facile ligand substitutions are observed when the neutral ruthenium cyclopropenyl complex (PPh₃)[Ru]-CC(Ph)CHCN (1, [Ru] = Tp(PPh₃)Ru) is treated with MeCN and pyrazole yielding the nitrile substituted ruthenium cyclopropenyl complex (MeCN)[Ru]-CC(Ph)CHCN (4a) and the ruthenium metallacyclic pyrazole complex (C₃H₃NN)[Ru]-CC(Ph)CH₂CN (7a), respectively. The reactions of Me₃SiN₃ with 1, 4a and 7a are investigated. Treatment of 1 with Me₃SiN₃ affords in high yield the cationic N-coordinated nitrile complex {(PPh₃)[Ru]NCCH(Ph)CH₂CN}N₃ (3). Interestingly, the reaction of 4a with Me₃SiN₃ in CH₂Cl₂ in the presence of NH₄PF₆ results in an insertion of four nitrogen atoms into the Ru-C_α bond to form a diastereomeric mixture of the bright yellow zwitterionic tetrazolate complex (MeCN)[Ru]-N₄CCH(Ph)CH₂CN (6a) in a 3:2 ratio. The reaction of 7a with Me₃SiN₃ gives the zwitterionic tetrazolate complex (C₃H₃NNH)[Ru]-N₄CCH(Ph)CH₂CN (9a). The two cationic tetrazolate complexes {(C₃H₃NNH)[Ru]-N₄(R)CCH(Ph)CH₂CN}⁺ (12a, R = CH₃, 12b, R = C₆H₅CH₂) are prepared by electrophilic addition of organic halides to 9a. All of the complexes are identified by spectroscopic methods as well as elemental analysis. Pathways for the synthesis of these compounds are proposed.     

Hydrosilylation of alkynes catalyzed by ruthenium carbene complexes

Hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes with a variety of silanes catalyzed by Cl₂(PCy₃)₂RuCHPh (1) affords mainly the Z-isomer via trans addition in excellent yields. The presence of a hydroxyl group in close proximity to the triple bond was observed to exert a strong directing effect, resulting in the highly selective formation of the α-isomer. Intramolecular hydrosilylation of a homopropargylic silyl ether was demonstrated to give the cis addition product.     

Additions and intramolecular migrations of nucleophiles in cationic diruthenium μ-allenyl complexes

The diruthenium μ-allenyl complex [Ru₂(CO)(NCMe)(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η²-C(H)CC(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂][BF₄], 3b, reacts with halide anions to yield the neutral derivatives [Ru₂(CO)₂(X){μ-η¹:η²-C(H)CC(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂] [X = Cl, 4b; X = Br, 4c; X = I, 4d]. Complex 4b undergoes isomerization to the unprecedented bridging vinyl-chlorocarbene species [Ru₂(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η³- C(Cl)C(H)C(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂], 10, upon filtration of a CH₂Cl₂ solution through an alumina column.Complex 3b reacts with an excess of NaBH₄ to give five products: the allene complex [Ru₂(CO)₂{μ-η²:η²- CH₂CC(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂], 5; the hydride species trans-[Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-H){μ-η¹:η²-CHCC(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂], 6, and cis-[Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-H){μ-η¹:η²-CHCC(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂], 8; the vinyl-alkylidene [Ru₂(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η³- C(H)C(H)C(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂], 9; and the cluster [Ru₃(CO)₃(μ-H)₃(Cp)₃], 7.Studies on the thermal stabilities of 5, 6, 8 and 9 have suggested a plausible mechanism for the formation of these complexes and for the synthesis of 10.     

Chemistry of vinylidene complexes. XX. Intramolecular carbonylation of vinylidene on the MnFe center: Spectroscopic and structural study. X-ray structure of the new trimethylenemethane type MnFe complex

Reactions of Fe₂(CO)₉ with Cp(CO)₂MnCCHPh (1) and Cp(CO)(PPh₃)MnCCHPh (3) gave the heterometallic trimethylenemethane complexes η⁴-{C[Mn(CO)₂Cp](CO)CHPh}Fe(CO)₃ (2) and η⁴-{C[Mn(CO)(PPh₃)Cp](CO)CHPh}Fe(CO)₃ (4), respectively. The formation of the benzylideneketene [PhHCCCO] fragment included in complexes 2 and 4 occurs via intramolecular coupling of the carbonyl and vinylidene ligands. The structures of 3 and 4 were determined by single crystal XRD methods. The influence of the nature of the L ligands at the Mn atom on the structural and spectroscopic characteristics of η⁴-{C[Mn(CO)(L)Cp](CO)CHPh}Fe(CO)₃ (L = CO (2), PPh₃ (4)) is considered. According to the VT ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, complex 2 reversibly transforms in solution into μ-η¹:η¹-vinylidene isomer Cp(CO)₂MnFe(μ-CCHPh)(CO)₄ (2a), whereas complex 4 containing the PPh₃ ligand is not able to a similar transformation.     

Synthesis, characterization and solid state structures of thiosemicarbazone palladacycles: Influence of hydrogen bonding in the molecular arrangement

Treatment of the thiosemicarbazones 4-FC₆H₄C(Me)NN(H)C(S)NHR, (R = Me, a; Ph, b) and 2-ClC₆H₄C(Me)NN(H)C(S)NHR (R = Ph, c) with lithium tetrachloropalladate(II) in methanol or palladium(II) acetate in acetic acid gave the tetranuclear cyclometallated complex [Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR}]₄ (1a, 1b) and [Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh}]₄ (1c). Reaction of these tetramers with the diphosphines dppe, t-dppe, dppp or dppb in a 1:2 molar ratio gave the dinuclear cyclometallated complexes [(Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR})₂(μ-Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)], (n = 2, 2a, 2b; 3, 4a, 4b; 4, 5a, 5b), [(Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh})₂(μ-Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂)], (3a, 3b) and [(Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR})₂(μ-Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)], (n = 2, 2c, 2d; 3, 4c, 4d; 4, 5c, 5d), [(Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh})₂(μ-PPh₂CHCHPPh₂)], (3c, 3d). The X-ray crystal structure of the ligand b and the complexes 3c, 4a and 4d were determined. The structures of complexes 4a and 4d show that the different disposition of the chain cyclometallated of the thiosemicarbazones (in the same orientation or in the opposite one) is due to the different H bonds produced.     

Further chemistry of ruthenium butatrienylidene complexes

Several complexes have been obtained from reactions carried out in early attempts to prepare the diynyl complexes Ru(CCCCR)(dppe)Cp* (R = H, SiMe₃). These have been identified crystallographically as the acyl complex Ru{CCC(O)Me}(dppe)Cp* (3), the cationic imido complex [Ru{CCC(NH₂)Me}(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ (4), the binuclear butenynylallenylidene [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ-CCC(OMe)CHCMeCC}]PF₆ (5), and the bis(ethynyl)cyclobutenylidene [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ-CCC₄H₂(SiMe₃)CC}]PF₆ (6). NMR studies of 5 have revealed the existence of two isomers. Plausible routes for their formation from the putative butatrienylidene intermediate [Ru(CCCCH₂)(dppe)Cp*]⁺ (A) are discussed.     

Palladacycles bearing pendant benzamidinate ligands as catalysts for the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions

Three pendant benzamidines [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(CH₂)₂NMe₂}] (1), [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(CH₂Py)}] (2) and [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}] (3) are described. Reactions of 1, 2 or 3 with one molar equivalent of Pd(OAc)₂ in THF give the palladacyclic complexes [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]Pd(OAc) (4), [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N (CH₂Py)}]Pd(OAc) (5) and [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}]Pd(OAc) (6), respectively. Treatment of 4, 5 or 6 with excess of LiCl in chloroform affords [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]PdCl (7), [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂Py)}]PdCl (8) and [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}]PdCl (9). The crystal and molecular structures are reported for compounds 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7. The application of these palladacyclic complexes to the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions was examined.     

Novel (η-arene)-ruthenium(II) complexes containing bis(iminophosphorano)methanide and methandiide ligands

The novel bis(iminophosphorano)methanes CH₂[P{NP(S)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂ (R = Ph (1a), Et (1b)) have been obtained by oxydation of dppm with the corresponding thiophosphorylated azides (RO)₂P(S)N₃. Deprotonation of 1a,b with KH generates the methanide species KCH[P{NP(S)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂ (R = Ph (2a), Et (2b)). The ruthenium(II) dimer [{Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(μ-Cl)Cl}₂] reacts with 2a,b to afford the cationic complexes [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,N,S-CH[P{NP(S)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)]⁺ (R = Ph (3a), Et (3b)), via selective κ³-C,N,S-coordination of the bis(iminophosphorano)methanide anions to ruthenium. The structure of [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,N,S-CH[P{NP(S)(OEt)₂}Ph₂]₂)][PF₆] (3b) has been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Deprotonation of complexes 3a,b with NaH leads to the neutral carbene derivatives [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ²-C,N-C[P{NP(S)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)] (R = Ph (4a), Et (4b)).