Reactions of cyano(alkynyl)ethenes with some alkynyl- and diynyl-ruthenium complexes

Reactions of Ru(CCPh)(PPh₃)₂Cp with (NC)₂CCR¹R² (R¹ = H, R² = CCSiPrⁱ₃8; R¹ = R² = CCPh 9) have given η³-butadienyl complexes Ru{η³-CC(CN)₂]CPhCR¹R²}(PPh₃)Cp (11, 12), respectively, by formal 2 + 2]-cycloaddition of the alkynyl and alkene, followed by ring-opening of the resulting cyclobutenyl (not detected) and displacement of a PPh₃ ligand. Deprotection (tbaf) of 11 and subsequent reactions with RuCl(dppe)Cp and AuCl(PPh₃) afforded binuclear derivatives Ru{η³-CC(CN)₂]CPhCHCCML_n]}(PPh₃)Cp ML_n = Ru(dppe)Cp 19, Au(PPh₃) 20]. Reactions between 8 and Ru(CCCCR)(PP)Cp PP = (PPh₃)₂, R = Ph, SiMe₃, SiPrⁱ₃; PP = dppe, R = Ph] gave η¹-dienynyl complexes Ru{CCCC(CN)₂]CRCHCC(SiPrⁱ₃)]}(PP)Cp (15-18), respectively, in reactions not involving phosphine ligand displacement. The phthalodinitrile C₆H(CCSiMe₃)(CN)₂(NH₂)(SiMe₃) 10 was obtained serendipitously from (Me₃SiCC)₂CO and CH₂(CN)₂, as shown by an XRD structure determination. The XRD structures of precursor 7 and adducts 11, 12 and 17 are also reported.