Synthesis and structural characterization of ruthenium complexes with 1-aryl-imidazole-2-thione

Treatment of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] with 2 equiv. Himt^MPh (Himt^MPh?=?1-(4-methyl-phenyl)-imidazole-2-thione) in the presence of MeONa afforded cis-[Ru(κ ²-S,N-imt^MPh)₂(PPh₃)₂] (1), while interaction of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] and 2 equiv. Himt^MPh in tetrahydrofuran (THF) without base gave [RuCl₂(κ ¹-S-Himt^MPh)₂(PPh₃)₂] (2). Treatment of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with 1 equiv. Himt^MPh in THF gave [RuHCl(κ ¹-S-Himt^MPh)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (3), whereas reaction of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with 1 equiv. of the deprotonated [imt^MPh]^? or [imt^NPh]^? (imt^NPh?=?1-(4-nitro-phenyl)-2-mercaptoimidazolyl) gave [RuH(κ ²-S,N-imt^RPh)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (R?=?M 4a, R?=?N 4b). The ruthenium hydride complexes 4a and 4b easily convert to their corresponding ruthenium chloride complexes [RuCl(κ ²-S,N-imt^MPh)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (5a) and [RuCl(κ ²-S,N-imt^NPh)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (5b), respectively, in refluxing CHCl₃ by chloride substitution of the RuH. Photolysis of 5a in CHCl₃ at room temperature afforded an oxidized product [RuCl₂(κ ²-S,N-imt^MPh)(PPh₃)₂] (6). Reaction of 6 with excess [imt^MPh]^? afforded 1. The molecular structures of 1·EtOH, 3·C₆H₁₄, 4b·0.25CH₃COCH₃, and 6·2CH₂Cl₂ have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.     

Reactions of metal carbonyl derivatives : XIV. Bridged phosphido derivatives of iron and ruthenium

The tertiary phosphines P(C₆H₅)₂R [RM π-C₅H₅)(CO)₂ M(π-C₅H₅(CO)₂ (M = Fe or Ru)] readily effect the displacement of the chloro group in [M′(φ-C₅H₅)(CO)₂Cl] (M′ = Fe or Ru) to give bridged cationic species of the type [MM′(φ-C₅H₅)₂(CO)₄P(C₆H₅)]⁺. Treatment of [Fe₂(CO)₉] with P(C₆H₅)₂R [RRu(φ-C₅H₅)(CO)₂] leads to the formation of the neutral mixed-metal derivatives [FeRu(φ-C₅H₅)(CO)₆P(C₆H₅)₂] and [FeRu(φ-C₅H₅)(CO)₅P(C₆H₅)₂].     

Propionyl complexes of ruthenium derived from the reaction of ethylene with RuHCl(CO)2(PPh3)2

RuHCl(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ reacts with ethylene under mild conditions (25 psi, 80°C) to yield a propionyl derivative RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ which is believed to be coordinatively unsaturated. Unlike the acetyl analogue, RuCl[C[O]C₂H₅(CO)-(PPh₃)₂ does not isomerize to RuCl(C₂H₅)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ in solution. Under one atmosphere of carbon monoxide, RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅(CO)(PPh₃)₂ exists in equilibrium with two species believed to be RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ and [Ru(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂]Cl. RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ reacts with CO/ AgClO₄ to give mer-[Ru(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂]ClO₄, p-tolylisocyanide (RNC) and NaClO₄ to give cis-[Ru(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)(CNR)₂(PPh₃)₂ClO₄, and hydrochloric acid to yield the hydroxycarbene complex, RuCl₂(CO)(C[OH]C₂H₅)(PPh₃)₂.     

Diene and dienyl complexes of transition elements: VII. Carbonylchlorobis(dimethylphenylphosphine)-(η3-pentadienyl)ruthenium

The reaction between [{Ru(CO)Cl₂(PMe₂Ph)₂}₂] and SnBu₃(C₅H₇) in chloroform yields the η³-pentadienyl complex [Ru(CO)Cl(η³-C₅H₇)(PMe₂Ph)₂]. The ¹H NMR spectra are reported and discussed.     

Ruthenium NNN complexes with a 2‐hydroxypyridylmethylene fragment for transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Four NNN tridentate ligands L₁–L₄ containing 2‐methoxypyridylmethene or 2‐hydroxypyridylmethene fragment were synthesized and introduced to ruthenium centers. When (HOC₅H₃NCH₂C₅H₃NC₅H₇N₂) (L₂) and (HOC₅H₃NCH₂C₅H₃NC₆H₆N₃) (L₄) reacted with RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, two ruthenium chloride products Ru(L₂)(PPh₃)Cl₂ ( 1 ) and Ru(L₄)(PPh₃)Cl₂ ( 2 ) were isolated, respectively. Reactions of (MeOC₅H₃NCH₂C₅H₃NC₅H₇N₂) (L₁) and (MeOC₅H₃NCH₂C₅H₃NC₆H₆N₃) (L₃) with RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ in the presence of NH₄PF₆ generated two dicationic complexes [Ru(L₁)₂][PF₆]₂ ( 3 ) and [Ru(L₃)₂][PF₆]₂ ( 4 ), respectively. Complex 1 reacted with CO to afford product [Ru(L₂)(PPh₃)(CO)Cl][Cl]. The catalytic activity for transfer hydrogenation of ketones was investigated. Complex 1 showed the highest activity, with a turnover frequency value of 1.44 × 10³ h^?1 for acetophenone, while complexes 3 and 4 were not active.     

Alkinylphosphinhaltige substitutionsprodukte von chrom- und wolfram-hexacarbonyl

The photochemical preparation of [M(CO)₅(P(CCC₆H₅)_n(C₆H₅)_3-n], cis-[M(CO)₄(PCCC₆H₅)_n(C₆H₅)_3-n] (M = Cr, W; n = 1,2,3) and fac-[Cr(CO)₃(P(CCC₆H₅)(C₆H₅)₃] by the corresponding substitution reactions of the hexacarbonyls is described. The IR and Raman spectra of the complexes in the region of the ν(CO) and ν(CC) vibrations and the ³¹P NMR spectra are discussed.     

Ligating properties of thionitrosoamines: IV. Cationic complexes of rhodium(I), rhodium(III), and ruthenium(II) containing N-thionitrosodimethylamine

The solvento species obtained by treatment of the complexes [Rh(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, [Rh(norbornadiene)Cl]₂, [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂, C₅H₅Rh(CO)I₂, [C₅Me₅RhCl₂]₂, and [Ru(C₆H₆)Cl₂]₂ with AgPF₆ in acetone or acetonitrile react with a large excess of Me₂NNS to give the compounds [Rh(1,5-C₈H₁₂)-(SNNMe₂)₂]PF₆ (1a), [Rh(C₇H₈)(SNNMe₂)₂]PF₆ (1b), [Rh(CO)₂(SNNMe₂)₂]PF₆ (2), [C₅H₅Rh(SNNMe₂)₃](PF₆)₂ (3), [C₅Me₅Rh(SNNMe₂)₃](PF₆)₂ (4), and [Ru(C₆H₆(SNNMe₂)₃](PF₆) (5). If the thionitroso ligand is not preent in large excess decomposition often occurs. The use of AgClO₄ allows isolation of the perchlorate salts of 1a, 1b, 2, 4, and 5, and the complexes [C₅H₅Rh-(SNNMe₂)₂(ClO₄)ClO₄ (6) and Rh(1,5-C₈H₁₂)(SNNMe₂)(ClO₄) (7). In the H¹ NMR spectra the methyl protons of Me₂NNS are observed as two quadruplets, in the range δ 3.75–4.25 (⁴J(HH) ca. 0.7 Hz) because of restricted rotation around the NN bond. The rhodium(I) complexes (1a, 1b, and 2) reacts with PPh₃ or p-tolylPPh₂ to give labile products, and only [Rh(1,5-C₈H₁₂)(SNNMe₂)(PPh₃)]ClO₄ (8) and [Rh(1,5-C₈H₁₂)(SNNMe₂)(p-tolylPPh₂)]ClO₄ (9) were isolated and characterized.     

Acetylene Dithiolate Linking up the [Tp′W(CO)(CN)] Moiety with RuII or PdII

A series of heterodinuclear complexes with acetylene dithiolate (acdt^2?) as the bridging moiety were synthesised by a facile one‐pot procedure that avoided use of the highly elusive acetylene dithiol. Generation of the W–Ru complex [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] (Tp’=hydrotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) and the W–Pd complexes [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)] and [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)][PF₆] (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphoshino)ethane), which exhibit a [W(η²‐κ²‐C₂S₂)M] core (M=Ru, Pd), was accomplished by using a transition‐metal‐assisted solvolytical removal of the Me₃Si‐ethyl thiol protecting groups. All intermediate species of the reaction have been fully characterised. The highly coloured W–Ru complex [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] shows reversible redox chemistry, as does the prototype complex [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)][PF₆]. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction and IR, EPR and UV/Vis spectroscopic studies in conjunction with DFT calculations prove the high electronic delocalisation of states over the acdt^2? linker. Comparative studies revealed a higher donor strength and more pronounced dithiolate character of acdt^2? in [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] relative to [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)]⁺. In addition, the influence of the overall complex charge on the metric parameters was investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies with the W–Pd complexes [Tp′WL₂(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)] (L=(CN^?)(CO) or (CO)₂). The central [W(C₂S₂)Pd] units exhibit high structural similarity, which indicates the extensive delocalisation of charge over both metals.     

Complexes du titane et du zirconium contenant les ligands cyclopentadienyldiphenylphosphine et cyclopentadienylethyldiphenylphosphine: acces a des structures heterobimetalliques

Reactions of Ph₂P(CH₂)_n(C₅H₄)Li, (n = 0, 2), with MCl₄ or CpTiCl₃ (M = Ti, Zr; Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) form Cl₂M[(η⁵-C₅H₄)(CH₂)_nPPh₂]₂ or Cl₂CpTi[(η⁵-C₅H₄)-(CH₂)₂PPh₂] in good yields. Chemical reduction with Al, or electrochemical reduction of these complexes, under CO, are described. The titanium(IV) and zirconium(IV) derivatives react with metal carbonyls (Mo(CO)₆, Cr(CO)₆, Fe(CO)₅, Mo(CO)₄(C₈H₁₂)) under formation of new heterobimetallic complexes. Reduction with Al of Cl₂CpTi[(η⁵-C₅H₄)(CH₂)₂PPh₂]Mo(CO)₅ under CO results in a new heterobimetallic species containing low valent titanium. Both complexes Cl₂M[(η⁵-C₅H₄)(CH₂)₂PPh₂]₂ (M = Ti, Zr) react with [Rh(μ-Cl)(CO)(C₂H₄)]₂ to yield {RhCl(CO)(Cl₂M[(η⁵-C₅H₄)(CH₂)₂PPh₂]₂)}x, which is assumed to be a dimer, in which the titanium or the zirconium compounds act as bridging diphosphine ligands between the rhodium atoms.     

Electron‐Rich Diferrous–Phosphane–Thiolates Relevant to Fe‐only Hydrogenase: Is Cyanide “Nature's Trimethylphosphane”?

The two‐step one‐pot oxidative decarbonylation of [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(CO)₄(PMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) with [FeCp₂]PF₆, followed by addition of phosphane ligands, led to a series of diferrous dithiolato carbonyls 2 – 6 , containing three or four phosphane ligands. In situ measurements indicate efficient formation of 1 ²⁺ as the initial intermediate of the oxidation of 1 , even when a deficiency of the oxidant was employed. Subsequent addition of PR₃ gave rise to [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)₃(PMe₃)₃]²⁺ ( 2 ) and [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)₂(PMe₃)₂(PR₃)₂]²⁺ (R=Me 3 , OMe 4 ) as principal products. One terminal CO ligand in these complexes was readily substituted by MeCN, and [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)₂(PMe₃)₃(MeCN)]²⁺ ( 5 ) and [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)(PMe₃)₄(MeCN)]²⁺ ( 6 ) were fully characterized. Relevant to the H_red state of the active site of Fe‐only hydrogenases, the unsymmetrical derivatives 5 and 6 feature a semibridging CO ligand trans to a labile coordination site.     

A heteronuclear compound of ruthenium and silver containing bridging tris(pyridyl)methanoate ligands

The reaction of [{Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)Cl(μ-Cl)}₂] with Py₃COH in ethanol results in the formation of the cation [Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)(N,N′,O,-(C₅H₄N)₃CO)]⁺ which is isolated as its hexafluorphosphate salt 1. The cation acts as a ligand towards other transition metal ions. With Ag⁺ the hetero-trinuclear complex [{Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)((C₅H₄N)₃CO)}₂Ag][PF₆]₃ 2 is formed, while reaction with [Pd(PhCN)₂Cl₂] gives the bimetallic [Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)((C₅H₄N)₃CO)PdCl₂][PF₆] 3. Both compounds were fully characterised by spectroscopic methods and the trinuclear complex was additionally characterised by X-ray diffraction.     

Derivate des borols: IX. (η5-borol)metall-komplexe von ruthenium,osmium und rhodium

Dehydrogenating complexation of borolenes with carbonyls (Ru₃(CO)₁₂, Os₃(CO)₁₂), Wilkinson's catalyst (RhCl(PPh₃)₃) and related compounds (RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, RuHCl(PPh₃)₃, OSCl₂(PPh₃)₃), and (η⁶-arene)ruthenium complexes (Ru(η-C₆H₆)(η⁴-C₆H₈), [Ru(η-C₆H₆)Cl₂]₂, [Ru(η-C₆-Me₆)Cl₂]₂) leads to the (η⁵-borole)metal complexes of Ru, Os, and Rh. Inter alia, the preparation of the complexes Ru(CO)₃(η⁵-C₄H₄BF) (R = Ph, OMe, Me), Os(CO)₃L (L = η⁵-C₄H₄BPh), MHClL(PPh₃)₂ (M = Ru, Os), RhClL(PPh₃)₂, and RuL(η-C₆R₆) (R = H, Me) is described. The structures of RuHClL(PPh₃)₂ and RhClL(PPh₃)₂ have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis of chloro-carbonyl derivatives of rhenium,ruthenium, rhodium,iridium and platinum via reaction of the metal atoms with oxalyl chloride

Co-condensation of atoms of Re, Ru, Rh, Ir and Pt with oxalyl chloride gives metal chloro-carbonyl derivatives which may be used as precursors to the compounds [Re(CO)₄Cl]₂, [Ru(PMe₃)₃(CO)Cl₂], α-[Ru(CO)₃Cl(μ-Cl)]₂, [Ru(PPh₃)₂(CO)₂Cl₂], [Rh(CO)₂(μ-Cl)]₂, [Rh(PPh₃)₂COCl], [Ir(PPh₃)(CO)₂Cl₃] and cis-Pt(CO)₂Cl₂. Molybdenum atoms with oxalyl chloride give molybdenum-chloro derivatives.     

The trans influence of the pyridine ligand on ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes

In the two ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes ­(di­benzoyl­carbenyl‐κC)(pyridine‐κN)(5,10,15,20‐tetra‐p‐tolyl­porphyrinato‐κ⁴N)­ruthenium(II), [Ru(C₁₅H₁₀O₂)(C₅H₅N)(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)], (I), and (pyridine‐κN)(5,10,15,20‐tetra‐p‐tolyl­porphyrinato‐κ⁴N)[bis(3‐tri­fluoro­methyl­phenyl)­carbenyl‐κC]­ruthenium(II), [Ru(C₁₅H₈F₆)(C₅H₅N)(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)], (II), the pyridine ligand coordinates to the octahedral Ru atom trans with respect to the carbene ligand. The C(carbene)—Ru—N(pyridine) bonds in (I) coincide with a crystallographic twofold axis. The Ru—C bond lengths of 1.877 (8) and 1.868 (3) Å in (I) and (II), respectively, are slightly longer than those of other ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes, owing to the trans influence of the pyridine ligands.     

The preparation of cis- and trans-[PtH(C6Cl5)(PEt3)2 and a study of the “hydride-donor capacity” of the complexes trans- [PtH(C6X5(PEt3)2] (X = F and Cl)

The preparations of cis- and trans-[PtH(C₆Cl₅)(PEt₃)₂] by thermal decomposition of cis- and trans-[Pt(OCHO)(C₆Cl₅)(PEt₃)₂], respectively, are reported. Also described are cis- and trans-[Pt(SnCl₃)(C₆Cl₅)(PEt₃)₂], obtained by treating SnCl₂ with cis- and trans-[PtCl(C₆,Cl₅)(PEt₃)₂], respectively. It is shown that while trans- [PtH(C₆Cl₅)(PEt₃)₂] does not form hydride-bridged complexes in the presence of trans-(PtH(MeOH)(PEt₃)₂]⁺, the corresponding complex trans-[PtH(C₆)(PEt₃)₂] reacts with the same solvento complex, in methanol, giving labile [(PEt₃)₂HPt(-μH)Pt(C₆F₅)(PEt₃)₂]⁺.     

Ruthenium(II)‐Komplexe mit orthometallierten O'Donnell Schiffbasen (Diphenylmethylenglycinester) [1]

Ruthenium(II) Complexes of Orthometallated O'Donnell Schiff Bases (Diphenylmethylene Glycine Esters) [1] The reaction of diphenyl methylene glycine esters with [Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂] gives the orthometallated complexes [Ru(PPh₃)₂(Cl){(C₆H₄)(C₆H₅)C=NCH₂CO₂R}] (R = H, Et, CMe₃) in which the ester group is coordinated to the ruthenium atom and which were characterized by IR, NMR, MS data and by cyclovoltammetry.     

Organometallic polymorphism. Synthesis and structural characterization of two forms of [Ru(η6-C6H6)(η6-C6H4(CH3)COOCH3)][BF4]2 and the phase transition in [Ru(η5-C5H5)(η6-C6H5OH)][PF6]

The synthesis and structural characterization of the complex [Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)(η⁶-C₆H₄(CH₃)COOCH₃)] [BF₄]₂ (2) and of its precursor [Ru(η⁶-C₆H₄(CH₃)COOCH₃)Cl₂]₂ (1) are reported. Compound (2) has been characterized in two polymorphic modifications (2a and 2b) and the molecular organization in the solid state has been investigated. The complex [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁶-C₆H₅OH)][PF₆] (3) has also been investigated; it has been shown to possess a disorder similar to that observed in the high temperature phase of related systems such as [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁶-C₆H₆)][PF₆].     

Substitution reaction of η5-cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complexes with nitrogen,oxygen and sulfur donor ligands

The heterocycles pyridine, γ-picoline, 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline react with [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(MPh₃)₂X] (M = P, As or Sb) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(AsPh₃)(PPh₃)X] (X = Cl, Br, I, CN, NCS or SnCl₃) to form complexes of types [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(MPh₃)(L−L)⁺X⁻ (L−L = 2,2′−bipyridine or 1,10−phenanthroline; X = Cl, Br, I, CN, NCS or SnCl₃) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(MPh₃)LX] (M = As or Sb; L = pyridine or γ-picoline; X = Cl, Br, I, CN, NCS or SnCl₃). Interactions of dithiocarbamate (DTC) with [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(SbPh₃)₂X] (X = Cl, Br or I) and acetylacetonate (acac) with parent compounds [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(MPh₃)₂X (M = P or Sb; X = Cl, Br or I) yielded [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(MPh₃)L] (where L = DTC or acac). The reaction products have been characterized by magnetic, spectral and microanalytical data.     

Use of the Cationic Fragments [Ru(η5-C5H5) (MeCN)3]+ and [M(η6-C6H5R)(MeCN)3]+ (M=Os, Ru; R=H, Me) as Ionic Coupling Reagents in the Synthesis of the Clusters [Os4M2(CO)12(η6-C6H5R)], [Os4M(CO)12(η6-C6H6)(Au2dppm)] and [Os5Ru(CO)15(η5-C5H5)(AuPPh3)]*

The clusters [H₂Os₄M(CO)₁₂eta⁶-C₆H₆)] (M=Os, Ru) may be deprotonated to generate anions [Os₄M(CO)₁₂eta⁶-C₆H₆)]^2- which react with [M′eta⁶-C₆H₅R) (MeCN)₃]²⁺(M^′=Os, Ru; R=H, Me) to give the bicapped tetrahedral clusters [Os₄(CO)₁₂MM′eta⁶-C₆H₅R)₂]. Whereas [Os₄(CO)₁₂M₂eta⁶-C₆H₆)₂] (M=Os, Ru) have one Meta⁶-C₆H₆) unit in a site connected to three other metals, {3}, and one in a site connected to four other metals, {4}, [Os₄(CO)₁₂OsRueta⁶-C₆H₆)₂] has the Rueta⁶-C₆H₆) unit in the {3} site irrespective of whether the Os or Ru anion is capped. Coupling of these anions with Au₂dppm yields [Os₄M(CO)₁₂eta⁶-C₆H₆)(Au₂dppm)] (M=Os, Ru), which have the arene ligand in the axial site of a trigonal bipyramid and the digold unit capping two faces. Reduction of [H₂Os₅(CO)₁₅] with K/Ph₂CO and coupling with [Rueta⁵-C₅H₅)(MeCN)₃]²⁺yields the monoanion [Os₅(CO)₁₅Rueta⁵-C₅H₅)]^? which reacts with [AuPPh₃]⁺ generating [Os₅(CO)₁₅Rueta⁵-C₅H₅)(AuPPh₃)] with the “Ru(C₅H₅)” unit in the terminal {3} site.     

Conversion of allene into μ-dimethylcarbene at a diruthenium centre

Treatment of [Ru₂(CO)(μ-CO) {μ-C(O)C₂Ph₂} (η-C ₅H₅)₂] with allene in toluene at 100°C displaces diphenylacetylene and produces [Ru(CO)(η-C₅H₅)-{η³-C₃H₄Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)}]; upon protonation a 1-methylvinyl cation [Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-CO){μ-C(Me)CH₂}(η-C₅H₅)₂]⁺ is formed which undergoes nucleophillic attack by hydride to yield the μ-dimethylcarbene complex [Ru₂(CO)₂-(μ-CO)(μ-CMe₂)(η-C₅H₅)₂].