A facile synthesis of novel 3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones using microwave heating

(Z)-5-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-2-oxoethylidene)-3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones (7a–w) have been synthesized by the Knoevenagel condensation reaction of 3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones (3a–d) with suitably substituted 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)2-oxoacetaldehydes (6a–g) under microwave conditions. The thioxothiazolidin-4-ones were prepared from the corresponding aryl/alkyl amines (1a–d) and di-(carboxymethyl)-trithiocarbonyl (2). The aldehydes (6a–g) were synthesized from the corresponding acid chlorides (5a–g) using HsnBu₃.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of enantiopure geminally dimethylated cyclopropane-based C2- and pseudo-C2-symmetric diamines

Enantiopure (−)-(1S,3S)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropanecarboxamide 2 and (+)-(1R,3R)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 3 were easily obtained from a multigram scale biotransformation of racemic amide or nitrile in the presence of Rhodococcus erythropolis AJ270 whole cell catalyst under very mild conditions. Coupled with efficient and convenient chemical manipulations, comprising mainly of the Curtius rearrangement, oxidation, and reduction reactions, chiral C₂-symmetric (1S,2S)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropane-1,2-diamine 6 and ((1R,3R)-3-(aminomethyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropyl)methanamine 8 and pseudo-C₂-symmetric (1S,3S)-3-(aminomethyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanamine 11 were prepared. These were also transformed into the corresponding chiral salen derivatives 12, 13, and 14, respectively, in almost quantitative yields.     

Copper(I) complexes of heterocyclic thiourea ligands

The coordination of heterocyclic thiourea ligands (L = N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (1), N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-methylthiourea (2), N-(3-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (3), N-(3-pyridyl)-N′-methylthiourea (4), N-(4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (5), N-(2-pyrimidyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (6), N-(2-pyrimidyl)-N′-methylthiourea (7), N-(2-thiazolyl)-N′-methylthiourea (8), N-(2-benzothiazolyl)-N′-methylthiourea (9), N,N′-bis(2-pyridyl)thiourea (10) and N,N′-bis(3-pyridyl)thiourea (11)) with CuX (X = Cl, Br, I, NO₃) has been investigated. CuX:L product stoichiometries of 1:1–1:5 were found, with 1:1 being most common. X-ray structures of four 3-coordinate mononuclear CuXL₂ complexes (CuCl(6)₂, CuCl(7)₂, CuBr(6)₂, and CuBr(9)₂) are reported. In contrast, CuBr(1)₂ is a 1D sulfur-bridged polymer. CuIL structures (L = 7, 8) are 1D chains with corner-sharing Cu₂(μ-I)₂ and Cu₂(μ-S)₂ units, and CuCl(10) is a 2D network having μ-Cl and N-/S-bridging L. Two [CuL₂]NO₃ structures are reported: a mononuclear 4-coordinate copper complex with chelating ligands (L = 10) and a 1D link-chain with N-/S-bridging L (L = 3). Two ligand oxidative cyclizations were encountered during crystallization. CuI crystallized with 6 to produce zigzag ladder polymer [(CuI)₂(12)]·½CH₃CN (12 = N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine) and CuNO₃ crystallized with 10 to form [Cu₂(NO₃)(13)₂(MeCN)]NO₃ (13 = dipyridyltetraazathiapentalene).     

Formation and isomerization of cis,cis-Ir(H)2(--Ph)(CO)(PPh3)2 and cis,cis-Ir(H)(--Ph)2(CO)(PPh3)2 in oxidative addition of hydrogen and phenylacetylene to trans-Ir(CO)(--Ph)(PPh3)2

Oxidative addition of H–R (H--Ph and H₂) to trans-Ir(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2) gives the initial products, cis, cis-Ir(H)(--Ph)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3a) and cis, cis-Ir(H)₂(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3b), respectively. Both cis-bis(PPh₃) complexes, 3a and 3b undergo isomerization to give the trans-bis(PPh₃) complexes, trans, trans-Ir(H)(--Ph)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4a) and cis, trans-Ir(H)₂(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4b). The isomerization, 3b→4b is first order with respect to 3b with k₁=6.37×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ at 25°C under N₂ in CDCl₃. The reaction rate (k₁) seems independent of the concentration of H₂. A large negative entropy of activation (ΔS^≠=−24.9±5.7 cal deg⁻¹ mol⁻¹) and a relatively small enthalpy of activation (ΔH^≠=14.5±3.3 kcal mol⁻¹) were obtained in the temperature range 15∼35°C for the isomerization, 3b→4b under 1 atm of H₂.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and spectroscopic studies on trans and cis isomers of Co(II) complexes with 1-benzyl-2-hydroxymethylimidazole

By carrying out the synthesis in a special way, two novel cobalt(II) isomers of trans(O)-[Co(1-Bz-2-CH₂OHIm)₄](NO₃)₂ (1) and cis(O)-[Co(1-Bz-2-CH₂OIm)₄](NO₃)₂·1.5H₂O (2) have been separated. The crystal structures of the Co(II) isomers show the triclinic space group P1̄ (1) and the monoclinic space group C2/c (2). The coordination geometry around the Co atom is approximately octahedral (1) or very distorted octahedral (2) and the Co(II) ions are surrounded by four nitrogen atoms of the four imidazole rings and two oxygen atoms of the hydroxymethyl group. Two of the ligands act as a monodentate and two as a bidentate, forming the five–membered chelate ring with the central ion. The structural data obtained for the Co(II) isomers were confirmed by IR and UV–Vis spectroscopic methods.     

Convenient preparation of optically active cibenzoline and analogues from 3,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ols

(R)-(+)-Cibenzoline (95% ee) was synthesized in two steps from (+)-2,2-diphenylcyclopropylmethanol 3a (98% ee), which was oxidized with IBX in DMSO, followed by treatment with ethylenediamine in the presence of I₂ and K₂CO₃ in tBuOH. Compound (R)-(+)-3a (98% ee) was prepared by cyclopropanation of 3,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-ol 1 with Et₂Zn and CH₂I₂ in the presence of a catalytic amount of (S)-2-(methanesulfonyl)amino-1-(p-toluenesulfonyl)amino-3-phenylpropane 2, followed by esterification with 3,5-dinitorobenzoyl chloride, recrystallization, and hydrolysis.     

New octahedral bis(diphenylphosphino)methanide derivatives and heterometallic species from mixed ligand isocyanide-dppm iron(II) complexes

The cationic [FeL(dppm)(CNPh)₃]ⁿ⁺ (1a: L = I, n = 1; 1b: L = CNPh, n = 2) are readily deprotonated by KOH to give [FeL(dppm-H)(CNPh)₃]ⁿ⁻¹ (2a and 2b). 2a reacts with [thtAuPPh₃]PF₆ to give mer-[FeI((PPh₂)₂C(H)(AuPPh₃))-(CNPh)₃]PF₆ (3). The new heterotrimetallic species [FeL((PPh₂)₂C(AuPPh₃)₂)-(CNPh)₃]ⁿ⁺ (4a and 4b) have been obtained from 1a and 1b by treatment with ClAuPPh₃ in the presence of KOH.     

A scalable synthesis of (R)-3-(2-aminopropyl)-7-benzyloxyindole via resolution

(±)-3-(2-Aminopropyl)-7-benzyloxyindole 1, assembled from 7-benzyloxyindole 3 in 59% overall yield, is resolved with O,O′-di-p-toluoyl l-(2R,3R)-tartaric acid 7 into (R)-1, a key intermediate of AJ-9677 2 (selective adrenaline β₃-agonist) in 99.5% e.e. and 36% overall yield. The unwanted enantiomer (S)-1 (61.9% e.e.; recovered in 57% yield from the crystallization filtrate) can be reused in another round of resolution after its enantiomeric purity is lowered to 3.7% by Raney Co treatment under a hydrogen atmosphere.     

Binding modes of a dimethyliminopentanone ligand on nickel pre-catalysts toward olefin polymerization

Nickel complexes prepared using a 4-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)-3,3-dimethylpentan-2-one ligand framework are shown. The potassium salt of the ligand is obtained by deprotonation with KH in diethyl ether. Potassium 4-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)-3,3-dimethyl-pent-2-en-2-olate can then be reacted with Ni(PMe₃)₂(η¹-CH₂Ph)Cl to yield 4-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)-3,3-dimethyl-pent-2-en-2-olato-κ¹O](η¹-CH₂Ph)(PMe₃)₂Ni (1). The potassium salt of the ligand can also be reacted with Ni(PMe₃)(η³-CH₂Ph)Cl to yield bis(4-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)-3,3-dimethyl-pent-2-en-2-olato-κ²N,O](η¹-CH₂Ph)₂Ni₂ (2) or 4-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)-3,3-dimethyl-pent-2-en-2-olato-κ²N,O](η¹-CH₂Ph)(PMe₃)Ni (3), depending on the reaction conditions. The addition of five equivalents of B(C₆F₅)₃ to 1, 2, or 3 yields catalytically active species for the homopolymerization of ethylene. The polymer products are described by a single molecular weight distribution, consistent with the presence of a single active site.     

Structural and electrochemical studies on trithia macrocyclic complexes of palladium

The single crystal X-ray structure of [Pd(1)₂](PF₆)₂ (1 = 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane) shows a crystallographically centrosymmetric cation with a distorted octahedral stereochemistry about the Pd^II centre with PdS_eq 2.332(3) and 2.311(3) Å for the equatorial thia donors, and PdS_ax 2.952(4) Å for the two apically coordinated donors. The crystals have space group C2/C, with a 17.879(8), b 15.627(13), c 11.476(8) Å, β 125.92(4)° and Z = 4. Least squares refinement gave R = 0.0565 for 1153 unique observed reflections measured by counter diffracometry using Mo-K_α radiation. This green complex undergoes a chemically reversible, one-electron oxidation in CH₃CN, E_pa = +0.65V, E_pc = +0.56 V vs. Fc/Fc⁺, ΔE_p = 84 mV. Oxidation of [Pd(1)₂](PF₆)₂ by controlled potential electrolysis at +0.7 V affords an orange, ESR active product which may be tentatively assigned to the corresponding palladium(III) species. These results are contrasted with data for the related homoleptic thia complexes [Pd(L)]²⁺ (L = 1,4,8,11-tetrathiacyclotetradecane (2), 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexathiacyclooctadecane (3)). The syntheses of the complexes cis-[Pd(1)Cl₂], cis-[Pt(1)Cl₂], cis-[Pd(1)(PPh₃)₂](PF₆)₂ and cis-[Pt(1)(PPh₃)₂](PF₆)₂ are also described.     

Ni(dmit)2 salts with chiral stilbazolium- and ferrocenyl-based chromophores as countercations

Four 1:1, two-component salts combining the [Ni(dmit)₂]⁻ anion (dmit²⁻ = 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato) and chiral stilbazolium-based countercations (HPMS⁺ = 4′-[2-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidinyl]-1-methylstilbazolium and MPMS⁺ = 4′-[2-(methoxy-methyl)pyrrolidinyl]-1-methylstilbazolium), or chiral ferrocenyl-based countercations (2⁺ = (E)-1-((R)-2-methylferrocenyl)-2-(1-methyl-4-pyridiniumyl)ethene; 3⁺ = (E)-1-((S)-2-trimethylsilylferrocenyl)-2-(1-methyl-4-pyridiniumyl)ethene) were prepared. Semiconducting behaviour (2·10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹ measured on compressed pellets for [Ni(dmit)₂] (MPMS), for example) is secured by the presence of the [Ni(dmit)₂]⁻ anions. The chiral nature of the countercations ensures non-centrosymmetry of the structures (space group P1 for [Ni(dmit)₂](2) and [Ni(dmit)₂](3), for example). A ubiquitous antiparallel arrangement of the cations, which are thus packed in a pseudo-centrosymmetrical environment, results in almost vanishing second-order susceptibilities χ⁽²⁾, and therefore zero efficiencies in second harmonic generation.     

Structural control in palladium(II)-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation by new chiral phosphine-phosphite and pyridine-phosphite ligands

The ligands 6-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-4,8-di-tert-butyl-2,10-dimethoxy-5,7-dioxa-6-phosphadibenzo[a,c]cycloheptene, 1, (S)-4-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4a′]dinaphthalene, (S)-2, and (S)-4-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-2,6-bis-trimethylsilanyl-3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalene, (S)-3, (S)-2-(3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalen-4-yloxymethyl)pyridine, (S)-4, and (S)-2-(3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalen-4-yloxy)pyridine, (S)-5, have been easily prepared.The cationic complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)(L-L′)]CF₃SO₃ (L–L′=1–(S)-5) and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)(L–L′)]CF₃SO₃ (L–L′=(S)-2–(S)-4) were synthesized by conventional methods starting from the complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl]₂ and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)Cl]₂, respectively. The behavior in solution of all the π-allyl- and π-phenylallyl-(L–L′)palladium derivatives 6–14 was studied by ¹H, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and 2D-NOESY spectroscopy. As concerns the ligands (S)-4 and (S)-5, a satisfactory analysis of the structures in solution was possible only for palladium–allyl complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-4)]CF₃SO₃, 11, and [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-5)]CF₃SO₃, 12, since the corresponding species [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)((S)-4)]CF₃SO₃, 13, and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)((S)-5)]CF₃SO₃, 14, revealed low stability in solution for a long time. The new ligands (S)-2–(S)-5 were tested in the palladium-catalyzed enantioselective substitution of (1,3-diphenyl-1,2-propenyl)acetate by dimethylmalonate. The precatalyst [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-2)]CF₃SO₃ afforded the allyl substituted product in good yield (95%) and acceptable enantioselectivities (71% e.e. in the S form). A similar result was achieved with the precatalyst [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-3)]CF₃SO₃. The nucleophilic attack of the malonate occurred preferentially at allylic carbon far from the binaphthalene moiety, namely trans to the phosphite group. When the complexes containing ligands (S)-4 and (S)-5 were used as precatalysts, the product was obtained as a racemic mixture in high yield. The number of the configurational isomers of the Pd-allyl intermediates present in solution in the allylic alkylation and the relative concentrations are considered a determining factor for the enantioselectivity of the process.     

The reaction of (Sp)-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenecarboxylic acid with carbodiimide reagents: Characterisation of the acid anhydride and urea products

Interaction of (S_p)-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenecarboxylic acid [(S_p)-1] with N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and N-ethyl-N′-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbodiimide (EDC) have been investigated in order to study the reacting system itself and to characterise side-products typically arising during the diimide-promoted condensation of acid (S_p)-1 with nucleophiles. The reaction between (S_p)-1 and DCC was found to give preferentially the respective urea derivative in the absence of a base, and (S_p)-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenecarboxylic anhydride [(S_p,S_p)-3] when the same reaction was performed in the presence of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP). With EDC, the preference for a reaction pathway was less pronounced: whereas the reaction without the base afforded exclusively the corresponding urea, that in the presence of DMAP yielded a mixture of the urea and anhydride (S_p,S_p)-3.     

Application of axially dissymmetric ligand recoverable with fluorous solvent as a chiral auxiliary

(Ra)-(R)₂-2,2′-Bis(1-hydroxy-1H-perfluorooctyl)biphenyl ((Ra)-(R)₂-1c), which is an axially dissymmetric ligand with two chiral centers, works as a good chiral auxiliary for asymmetric aldol reaction. Thus, the reaction of monopropanoyl ester of 1c (2) with benzaldehyde in the presence of triethylamine and titanium(IV) chloride gave (2R),(3S)- and (2R),(3R)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-phenylpropanoic acid esters (3a) in an approximate ratio of 4:1 in a total high yield. This result shows that stereoselectivity at 2-position is quite high, while that at 3-position is moderate. Both isomers were easily separated by column chromatography. Methanolysis of the separated isomers gave nearly quantitative recovery of 1c by extraction with a fluorous solvent without any loss of ee, while methyl (2R),(3S)- or (2R),(3R)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-phenylpropanoates were obtained by CH₂Cl₂ extraction quantitatively in >99% ee. Aldol reaction of 2 with various aldehydes gave similar results.     

A new synthetic method of 1α-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol

Cholesta - 1,4,6 - trien - 3 - one (1) was converted to 3β - hydroxycholesta - 1,5,7 - triene (3) via the deconjugation procedure using t-BuOK in DMSO followed by the subsequent reduction with Ca(BH₄)₂. The compound (3) readily reacted with 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione to yield the corresponding 1,4-addition product (4). Epoxidation of 4 with m-chloroperbenzoic acid resulted in the formation of the 1α,2α-epoxide (5) and the 1β,2β-epoxide (6) in the ratio 2:3. Reduction of 5 with LAH under reflux in THF afforded the titled compound (7). The same reduction of 6 gave 2β-hydroxy- and 1β - hydroxy - 7 - dehydrocholesterol (8 and 9) in the ratio 8:1.The compound (4) can be obtained in 25% yield from 1 without any purification of the intermediate compounds; cholesta - 1,5,7 - trien - 3 - one (2, a very unstable compound) and 3. Since 1 is obtained readily from cholesterol in high yield, the present study provides a simple and efficient synthetic method of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol and is reasonably expected to be applicable in the synthesis of 12,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and the other metabolites of vitamin D₃.     

Total synthesis of (+)-piericidin A1 and (−)-piericidin B1

The convergent syntheses of (+)-piericidin A₁ 1 and (?)-piericidin B₁ 2 have been achieved based on classical Julia-Lythgoe olefination between 4-hydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-3-methyl-2-[5-oxo-3-methyl-pent-(2E)-enyl]-pyridine 3 corresponding to the left half of the final molecule, and chiral phenyl sulfones, (4R,5R)-2,4,6-trimethyl-5-methoxy-1-phenylsulfonyl-octa-(2E,6E)-diene 20 and (4R,5R)-5-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-2,4,6-trimethyl-1-phenylsulfonyl-octa-(2E,6E)-diene 33, corresponding to the right halves. The construction of the two stereogenic centers in the right half of piericidins was achieved based on lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of methyl (2,3)-anti-3-acetoxy-2,4-dimethyl-hex-(4E)-enoate (±)-22.     

Synthesis and characterization of a series of chiral NHC–Pd complexes derived from l-phenylalanine

The synthesis of a series of chiral Pd(L)PyBr₂ (3a–3e) and Pd(L)PyCl₂ (4d and 4e) complexes from l-phenylalanine is presented (L = (S)-3-allyl-4-benzyl-1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-ylidene (a), (S)-4-benzyl-1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3-(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (b), (S)-4-benzyl-3-(biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (c), (S)-4-benzyl-1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3-(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (d) or (S)-4-benzyl-1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (e). The complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods, and the X-ray crystal structures of 3a–3c and 4d are reported. In each case, there is a slightly distorted square-planar geometry around palladium, which is surrounded by imidazolylidene, two trans halide ligands and a pyridine ligand. There are π–π stacking interactions in the crystal structures of these complexes. Complex 3a showed good catalytic activity in the Cu-free Sonogashira coupling reaction under aerobic conditions.     

A practical enantioselective synthesis of (S)-3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid

(S)-3-Hydroxytetradecanoic acid 1 has been synthesized in an overall yield of 27% from (S)-epichlorohydrin 2 as follows: (1) regio and chemoselective epoxide opening of 2 with a Grignard reagent under the catalysis by Cu(I) followed by consecutive epoxide formation; (2) regioselective epoxide opening of (S)-1,2-epoxytridecane 4 with cyanide anion under pH controlled conditions followed by consecutive nitrile hydrolysis with alkaline H₂O₂ gave crude 1; (3) its purification via the N,N-dicyclohexylammonium salt 6. The method thus devised is practical and scalable for the industrial production of 1.     

Chiral arene ruthenium complexes: Part 3. [Ruthenium(η6-arene)(η4-1,5-cyclooctadiene)] complexes with N or O donor functions in the arene side chain

Arene ruthenium(0) complexes with carbonyl side chain functionalities like [Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅COR)(η⁴-COD)] or [Ru(η⁶-o-C₆H₄{R¹}COR)(η⁴-COD)] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene; R=H, CH₃; R¹=H, CH₃, OCH₃) are easily accessible by replacing the naphthalene ligand of [Ru(η⁶-naphthalene)(η⁴-COD)] (1) through an arene exchange reaction. These carbonyl species are susceptible to standard organic reactions of the carbonyl function, thus allowing the introduction of dangling side chains bearing highly polar functions like hydroxyl or amino groups. Aldol reaction of [Ru(o-C₆H₄{CH₃}COCH₃)(COD)] (3) with (−)-menthylchloroformate in the presence of LDA (LDA=lithium diisopropylamide) leads to a diastereomeric mixture of [Ru(menthyl-{3-oxo-3-η⁶-o-tolyl}propionate)(COD)] (10). However, treatment of 3 with LDA and o-tolylaldehyde or benzaldehyde affords the unexpected products [Ru(1-η⁶-o-tolyl-3-o-tolylpropan-1-one)(COD)] (11) and [Ru(1-η⁶-o-tolyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one)(COD)] (12). A diastereoselective addition (88% de) of deprotonated menthylacetate to [Ru(o-tolylaldehyde)(COD)] (4) results in the formation of [Ru(menthyl 3-η⁶-o-tolyl-3-hydroxypropionate)(COD)] (13). Racemic planar-chiral aldehyde complexes 2 and 4 react with amines giving the imination products in good yield. In case of reaction between 2 and (R)-N-amino-2-(methoxymethyl)-pyrrolidine (RAMP), diastereomeric [Ru(N-[[η⁶-(2-methylphenyl]methylene]-(R)-2-(methoxymethyl)-1-pyrrolidinamine)(COD)] (17) is formed. The diastereomers (R,R)-17 and (S,R)-17 have been separated by fractional crystallisation. Asymmetric arene ruthenium complexes with a defined planar-chiral configuration are thus accessible. Reduction of [Ru(3-η⁶-phenyl-(R)-methylbutyrate)(COD)] (7) with LiAlH₄ yields the chiral γ-alcohol [Ru(3-η⁶-phenyl-(R)-1-butanol)(COD)] (18). A Wittig olefination converts the aldehyde complex 4 into a mixture of E- and Z-isomeric [Ru(1-η⁶-o-tolyl-2-phenylethylene)(COD)] 21a and 21b, which were separated again by fractional crystallisation.