Scanning tunneling microscopy studies of pulse deposition of dinuclear organometallic molecules on Au(111)

Ultrahigh-vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was used to study trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru(C Triple Bond C)6Ru(dppe)2Cl] [abbreviated as Ru2, diphenylphosphinoethane (dppe)] on Au(111). This large organometallic molecule was pulse deposited onto the Au(111) surface under ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) conditions. UHV STM studies on the prepared sample were carried out at room temperature and 77 K in order to probe molecular adsorption and to characterize the surface produced by the pulse deposition process. Isolated Ru2 molecules were successfully imaged by STM at room temperature; however, STM images were degraded by mobile toluene solvent molecules that remain on the surface after the deposition. Cooling the sample to 77 K allows the solvent molecules to be observed directly using STM, and under these conditions, toluene forms organized striped domains with regular domain boundaries and a lattice characterized by 5.3 and 2.7 A intermolecular distances. When methylene chloride is used as the solvent, it forms analogous domains on the surface at 77 K. Mild annealing under vacuum causes most toluene molecules to desorb from the surface; however, this annealing process may lead to thermal degradation of Ru2 molecules. Although pulse deposition is an effective way to deposit molecules on surfaces, the presence of solvent on the surface after pulse deposition is unavoidable without thermal annealing, and this annealing may cause undesired chemical changes in the adsorbates under study. Preparation of samples using pulse deposition must take into account the characteristics of sample molecules, solvent, and surfaces.     

C7 and C9 carbon-rich bridges in diruthenium systems: synthesis, spectroscopic, and theoretical investigations of different oxidation States

Two methodologies of C-C bond formation to achieve organometallic complexes with 7 or 9 conjugated carbon atoms are described. A C7 annelated trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru=C=C=C-CH=C(CH2)-C[triple bond]C-Ru(dppe)2Cl][X] (X = PF6, OTf) complex is obtained from the diyne trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru-(C[triple bond]C)2-R] (R = H, SiMe3) in the presence of [FeCp2][PF6] or HOTf, and C7 or C9 complexes trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru-(C[triple bond]C)n-C(CH3)=C(R1)-C(R2)=C=C=Ru(dppe)2Cl][X] (n = 1, 2; R1 = Me, Ph, R2 = H, Me; X = BF4, OTf) are formed in the presence of a polyyne trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru-(C[triple bond]C)n-R] (n = 2, 3; R = H, SiMe3) with a ruthenium allenylidene trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru=C=C=C(CH2R1)R2][X]. These reactions proceed under mild conditions and involve cumulenic intermediates [M+]=(C=)nCHR (n = 3, 5), including a hexapentaenylidene. A combination of chemical, electrochemical, spectroscopic (UV-vis, IR, NIR, EPR), and theoretical (DFT) techniques is used to show the influence of the nature and conformation of the bridge on the properties of the complexes and to give a picture of the electron delocalization in the reduced and oxidized states. These studies demonstrate that the C7 bridging ligand spanning the metal centers by almost 12 angstroms is implicated in both redox processes and serves as a molecular wire to convey the unpaired electron with no tendency for spin localization on one of the halves of the molecules. The reactivity of the C7 complexes toward protonation and deprotonation led to original bis(acetylides), vinylidene-allenylidene, or carbyne-vinylidene species such as trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru[triple bond]C-CH=C(CH3)-CH=C(CH3)-HC=C=Ru(dppe)2Cl][BF4]3.     

Dependence of field switched ordered arrays of dinuclear mixed-valence complexes on the distance between the redox centers and the size of the counterions

trans-[(H(2)NCH(2)CH(2)C triple bond N)(dppe)(2)Ru(C triple bond C)(6)Ru(dppe)(2)(N triple bond CCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))][PF(6)](2), 2[PF(6)](2), a derivative of trans-[Cl(dppe)(2)Ru(C triple bond C)(6)Ru(dppe)(2)Cl] functionalized for binding to a silicon substrate, has been prepared and characterized spectroscopically, electrochemically, and with a solid state, single-crystal structure determination. Covalent binding via reaction of one amine group to a boron-doped, smooth Si-Cl substrate is verified by XPS measurements and surface electrochemistry. Vertical orientation is demonstrated by film thickness measurements. Synthesis of the 2[PF(6)](3) mixed-valence complex on the surface is established by electrochemical techniques. Measurement of the ac capacitance of the film at 1 MHz as a function of voltage across the film with a pulse-counter pulse technique demonstrates controlled electric field generation of the two stable mixed-valence forms differing in the spatial location of one electron, that is, switching. As compared to [trans-Ru(dppm)(2)(C triple bond CFc)(NCCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))][PF(6)][Cl], 1[PF(6)][Cl], the magnitude of the capacitance signal per complex observed on switching is shown to increase with increasing distance between the metal centers. Additional experiments on 1[X][Cl] show that the potential for switching 1[X][Cl] increases in the order [X](-) = [SO(3)CF(3)](-) < [PF(6)](-) < [Cl](-). A simple electrostatic model suggests that the smaller is the counterion, the greater is the perturbation of the metal sites and the larger is the barrier for switching.     

New ruthenium(II) complexes with enantiomerically pure bis- and tris(pinene)-fused tridentate ligands. Synthesis, characterization and stereoisomeric analysis

A new set of Ru-Cl complexes containing either the pinene[5,6]bpea ligand (L1) or the C3 symmetric pinene[4,5]tpmOMe (L2) tridentate ligand in combination with the bidentate (B) 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,2-diphenylphosphinoethane (dppe) with general formula [RuCl(L1 or L2)(B)](+) have been prepared and thoroughly characterized. In the solid state, X-ray diffraction analysis techniques have been used. In solution, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy have been employed. DFT calculations have been also performed on these complexes and their achiral analogues previously reported in our group, to interpret and complement experimental results. Whereas isomerically pure complexes ([Ru(II)Cl(L2)(bpy)](BF4), 5 and [Ru(II)Cl(L2)(dppe)](BF4), 6) are obtained when starting from the highly symmetric [Ru(III)Cl3(L2)], 2, isomeric mixtures of cis, fac-[Ru(II)Cl(L1)(bpy)](BF4) (3b/3b'), trans,fac- (3a) and up/down,mer- (3c, 3d) isomers are formed when bpy is added to the less symmetric [Ru(III)Cl3(L1)], 1, in contrast to the case of the bulky dppe ligand that, upon coordination to 1, leads to the trans,fac-[Ru(II)Cl(L1)(dppe)](BF4) (4a) complex as a sole isomer due to steric factors.     

STM/STS observation of polyoxoanions on HOPG surfaces: the wheel-shaped [Cu20Cl(OH)24(H2O)12(P8W48O184)]25- and the ball-shaped [{Sn(CH3)2(H2O)}24{Sn(CH3)2}12(A-PW9O34)12]36-

A combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) techniques have been performed on the wheel-shaped [Cu20Cl(OH)24(H2O)12(P8W48O184)]25- and the ball-shaped [{Sn(CH3)2(H2O)}24{Sn(CH3)2}12(A-PW9O34)12]36- deposited on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surfaces. Small, regular molecule clusters, as well as separated single molecules, were observed. The size of the molecules is in agreement with the data determined by X-ray crystallography. In STS measurements, we found a rather large contrast at the expected location of the Cu metal centers in our molecules, i.e., the location of the individual Cu ions in their organic matrix is directly addressable by STS.     

Formation and reactivity of the cyclometallated N-heterocyclic carbene complexes [Ru(NHC)'(dppe)(CO)H

Thermolysis of [Ru(PPh(3))(dppe)(CO)HCl] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) with the N-heterocyclic carbenes I(i)Pr(2)Me(2) (1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethyl-imidazol-2-ylidene), IEt(2)Me(2) (1,3-diethyl-4,5-dimethyl-imidazol-2-ylidene) or ICy (1,3-dicyclohexylimidazol-2-ylidene) gave the cyclometallated carbene complexes [Ru(NHC)'(dppe)(CO)H] (NHC = I(i)Pr(2)Me(2), 4; IEt(2)Me(2), 5; ICy, 6). Dissolution of 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) or CHCl(3) gave the trans-Cl-Ru-P complex [Ru(I(i)Pr(2)Me(2))'(dppe)(CO)Cl] (7), which converted over hours at room temperature to the trans-Cl-Ru-CO isomer 7'. Chloride abstraction from 7 by NaBPh(4) under an atmosphere of H(2) produced the cationic mono-hydride complex [Ru(I(i)Pr(2)Me(2))(dppe)(CO)H][BPh(4)] (9), which could also be formed by protonating 4 with 1 eq HBF(4)·OEt(2). Treatment of 4 with excess HBF(4)·OEt(2) followed by extraction into MeCN produced the dicationic acetonitrile complex [Ru(I(i)Pr(2)Me(2))(dppe)(CO)(NCMe)(2)][BF(4)](2) (10). The structures of 6, 7, 7' and 10 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

The chemisorption of dibenzo[a,j]coronene on Si(001)-2 x 1

Adsorption structures of the dibenzo[a,j]coronene (C(32)H(16)) molecule on the clean Si(001)-2 X 1 surface were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in conjunction with electronic structure calculations. The dibenzo[a,j]coronene molecules were found to adsorb on three different sites: one major adsorption site and two minor adsorption sites. The formation of four to eight Si-C covalent bonds is responsible for the different surface bonding structures observed. Bond strain effects due to out-of-plane bending of the molecule play a significant role in governing the surface bond energies. The geometries of the three adsorption sites were established by comparison of the experimental and simulated STM images. By applying an electrical pulse, the molecule can be made to hop from one site to another site without breaking the dibenzo[a,j]coronene molecular structure.     

Preparation, structures and some reactions of novel diynyl complexes of iron and ruthenium

Reactions between HC triple bond CC triple bond CSiMe3 and several ruthenium halide precursors have given the complexes Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CSiMe3)(L2)Cp'[Cp'= Cp, L = CO (1), PPh3 (2); Cp' = Cp*, L2= dppe (3)]. Proto-desilylation of 2 and 3 have given unsubstituted buta-1,3-diyn-1-yl complexes Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CH)(L2)Cp'[Cp'= Cp, L = PPh3 (5); Cp'= Cp*, L2 = dppe (6)]. Replacement of H in 5 or 6 with Au(PR3) groups was achieved in reactions with AuCl(PR3) in the presence of KN(SiMe3)2 to give Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CAu(PR3)](L2)Cp'[Cp' = Cp, L = PPh3, R = Ph (7); Cp' = Cp*, L2= dppe, R = Ph (8), tol (9)]. The asymmetrically end-capped [Cp(Ph3P)2Ru]C triple bond CC triple bond C[Ru(dppe)Cp*] (10) was obtained from Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CH)(dppe)Cp* and RuCl(PPh3)2Cp. Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations of and are reported, with a comparative determination of the structure of Fe(C triple bond CC triple bond CSiMe3)(dppe)Cp* (4), and those of a fifth polymorph of [Ru(PPh3)2Cp]2(mu-C triple bond CC triple bond C) (12), and [Ru(dppe)Cp]2(mu-C triple bond CC triple bond C) (13).     

Regulation of Charge Delocalization in a Heteronuclear Fe2Ru System by a Stepwise Photochromic Process

Heteronuclear complexes FeCp₂?DTE?C?C?Ru(dppe)₂Cl ( 1 o ; dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, Cp=cyclopentadienyl, DTE=dithienylethene) and FeCp₂?DTE?C?C?Ru(dppe)₂?C?C?DTE?FeCp₂ ( 2 oo ), with redox‐active ferrocenyl and ruthenium centers separated by a photochromic DTE moiety, were prepared to achieve photoswitchable charge delocalization and Fe???Ru electronic communication. Upon UV‐light irradiation of 2 oo , the Fe???Ru heterometallic electronic interaction is increasingly facilitated with stepwise photocyclization, 2 oo → 2 co → 2 cc ; this is ascribed to the gradual increase in π‐conjugated systems. The near‐infrared absorptions in mixed‐valence species [ 2 oo ]⁺/[ 2 co ]⁺/[ 2 cc ]⁺ are gradually intensified following the conversion of [ 2 oo ]⁺→[ 2 co ]⁺→[ 2 cc ]⁺, which demonstrates that the extent of charge delocalization shows progressive enhancement with stepwise photocyclization. As revealed by electrochemical, spectroscopic, and theoretical studies, complex 2 exhibits nine switchable states through stepwise photochromic and reversible redox processes.     

Comparison of the binding stoichiometries of positively charged DNA-binding drugs using positive and negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Positive and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra of complexes of positively charged small molecules (distamycin, Hoechst 33258, [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 and [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2) have been compared. [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 and [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 bind to DNA by intercalation. Negative ion ESI mass spectra of mixtures of [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 or [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 with DNA showed ions from DNA-ligand complexes consistent with solution studies. In contrast, only ions from free DNA were present in positive ion ESI mass spectra of mixtures of [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 or [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 with DNA, highlighting the need for obtaining ESI mass spectra of non-covalent complexes under a range of experimental conditions. Negative ion spectra of mixtures of the minor groove binder Hoechst 33258 with DNA containing a known minor groove binding sequence were dominated by ions from a 1:1 complex. In contrast, in positive ion spectra there were also ions present from a 2:1 (Hoechst 33258: DNA) complex, suggesting an alternative binding mode was possible either in solution or in the gas phase. When Hoechst 33258 was mixed with a DNA sequence lacking a high affinity minor groove binding site, the negative ion ESI mass spectra showed that 1:1 and 2:1 complexes were formed, consistent with existence of binding modes other than minor groove binding. The data presented suggest that comparison of positive and negative ion ESI-MS spectra might provide an insight into various binding modes in both solution and the gas phase.     

Adlayers of C60-C60 and C60-C70 fullerene dimers formed on au(111) in benzene solutions studied by STM and LEED

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and low-energy electron diffraction were used to reveal the structures of ordered adlayers of [2+2]-type C60-C60 fullerene dimer (C120) and C60-C70 cross-dimer (C130) formed on Au(111) by immersingit in abenzene solution containing C120 or C130 molecules. High-resolution STM images clearly showed the packing arrangements and the electronic structures of C120 and C130 on the Au(111) surface in ultrahigh vacuum. The (2 square root3 x 4square root3)R30 degrees, (2square root3 x 5square root3)R30 degrees, and (7 x 7) structures were found for the C120 adlayer on the Au(111) surface, whereas C130 molecules were closely packed on the surface. Each C60 or C70 monomer cage was discerned in the STM image of a C130 molecule.     

Infrared and laser Raman studies of [Ni(II)(dppe)Cl2] and [Co(III)(dppe)2Cl2]PF6 (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane)

Infrared and laser Raman spectral investigations of [Ni(II)(dppe)Cl2] and [Co(III)(dppe)2Cl2]PF6 have been made to determine the conformation and nature of bonding in Ni(II) and Co(III) dppe complexes. The stereochemistry of the two forms of these complexes has been confirmed. The role of steric interferences in cis-Planar [Ni(II)(dppe)Cl2] complex is interpreted in terms of reduction in symmetry upon coordination. The strong trans influence of the chelating dppe ligand is observed in the [Co(III)(dppe)2Cl2]PF6 complex. Both complexes exhibit the effect of crystalline field on molecular vibrations. The Fermi resonance overtone is also observed in these complexes.     

Utilization of CS2 as a source of C1 synthetic units for the preparation of bis(alkylthio)methanes and alkyl dithioformates

Double insertion of CS2 into two Ru-H bonds of [(dppm)2Ru(H)2] (dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2) affords the methanedithiolate complex [(dppm)2Ru(eta2-S2CH2)]. The methanedithiolate moiety has been functionalized using 2 equiv of RX resulting in bis(alkylthio)methane derivatives [(dppm)2Ru(RSCH2SR)][X]2. The bis(alkylthio)methane complex loses the bis(alkylthio)methane moiety under very mild conditions and in turn affords the [(dppm)2RuX2] complex from which the starting dihydride [(dppm)2Ru(H)2] has been regenerated via reaction with KOH/EtOH. On the other hand, insertion of CS2 into one Ru-H bond of [(dppe)2Ru(H)2] (dppe = Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2) followed by functionalization using RX results in alkyl dithioformate complex trans-[(dppe)2Ru(H)(SC(SR)H)][X]. In this case also, the alkyl dithioformate moiety gets eliminated under very mild conditions to afford the [(dppe)2Ru(H)(X)] derivative from which the starting dihydride has been regenerated via reaction with NaBH4. The reactions presented here constitute utilization of CS2 as a C1 synthetic source for the generation of useful organic compounds.     

Direct observation of C2 hydrocarbon-oxygen complexes on Ag(110) with a variable-low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope

A variable-low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope (STM) was used to observe oxygen (O2), ethylene (C2H4), and acetylene (C2H2) molecules on a Ag(110) surface and the various complexes that were formed between these two hydrocarbons and oxygen at 13 K. Ethylene molecule(s) were moved to the vicinity of O2 either by STM tunneling electrons at 13 K or thermally at 45 K to form (C2H4)x-O2 (x = 1-4) complexes stabilized by C-H...O hydrogen bonding. Acetylene-oxygen complexes involving one or two acetylene molecules were observed.     

Syntheses, structures and redox properties of some complexes containing the Os(dppe)Cp* fragment, including [{Os(dppe)Cp*}2(mu-C triple bondCC triple bond C)

The sequential conversion of [OsBr(cod)Cp*] (9) to [OsBr(dppe)Cp*] (10), [Os([=C=CH2)(dppe)Cp*]PF6 ([11]PF6), [Os(C triple bond CH)(dppe)Cp*] (12), [{Os(dppe)Cp*}2{mu-(=C=CH-CH=C=)}][PF6]2 ([13](PF6)2) and finally [{Os(dppe)Cp*}(2)(mu-C triple bond CC triple bond C)] (14) has been used to make the third member of the triad [{M(dppe)Cp*}2(mu-C triple bond CC triple bond C)] (M = Fe, Ru, Os). The molecular structures of []PF6, 12 and 14, together with those of the related osmium complexes [Os(NCMe)(dppe)Cp*]PF6 ([15]PF6) and [Os(C triple bond CPh)(dppe)Cp*] (16), have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Comparison of the redox properties of 14 with those of its iron and ruthenium congeners shows that the first oxidation potential E1 varies as: Fe approximately Os < Ru. Whereas the Fe complex has been shown to undergo three sequential 1-electron oxidation processes within conventional electrochemical solvent windows, the Ru and Os compounds undergo no fewer than four sequential oxidation events giving rise to a five-membered series of redox related complexes [{M(dppe)Cp*}2(mu-C4)]n+ (n = 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4), the osmium derivatives being obtained at considerably lower potentials than the ruthenium analogues. These results are complimented by DFT and DT DFT calculations.     

Redox state dependence of single molecule conductivity

Spontaneous formation of stable molecular wires between a gold scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) tip and substrate is observed when the sample has a low coverage of alpha,omega-dithiol molecules and the tunneling resistance is made sufficiently small. Current-distance curves taken under these conditions exhibit characteristic current plateaux at large tip-substrate separations from which the conductivity of a single molecule can be obtained. The versatility of this technique is demonstrated using redox-active molecules under potential control, where substantial reversible conductivity changes from 0.5 to 2.8 nS were observed when the molecule was electrochemically switched from the oxidized to the reduced state.     

Oxygenation of Ruthenium Carbene Complexes Containing Naphthothiophene or Naphthofuran: Spectroscopic and DFT Studies

The aryl propargylic alcohol 1‐[2‐(thiophen‐3‐yl)phenyl]prop‐2‐yn‐1‐ol ( 1a ) is readily prepared from 2‐(thiophen‐3‐yl)benzaldehyde. In the presence of visible light, treatment of 1a with one‐half mole equivalent of [Ru]Cl ([Ru]?Cp(dppe)Ru) (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) and NH₄PF₆ in O₂ affords the naphtha[2,1‐b]thiophene‐4‐carbaldehyde ( 4a ) in high yields. The cyclization reaction of 1a proceeds through the formation of the carbene complex 2a that contains the naphtha[2,1‐b]thiophene ring, which is isolated in a 1:1 stoichiometric reaction. The C? C bond formation between the inner carbon of the terminal triple bond and the heterocyclic ring is confirmed by structure determination of 2a using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Facile oxygenation of 2a by O₂ yields the aldehyde product 4a accompanied by the formation of phosphine oxide of dppe. Oxygen is most likely activated by coordination to the ruthenium center when one PPh₂ unit of the dppe ligand dissociates. This dissociated PPh₂ unit then reacts with the coordinated oxygen nearby to generate half‐oxidized dppe ligand and an unobserved oxo–carbene intermediate. Coupling of the oxo/carbene ligands followed by demetalation then yields 4a . Presumably the resulting complex with the half‐oxidized dppe ligand continuously promotes cyclization/oxygenation of 1a to yield the second aldehyde molecule. In alcohol such as MeOH or EtOH, the oxygenation reaction affords a mixture of 4a and the corresponding esters 5a or 5a' . Four other aryl propargylic alcohols 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e , which contain thiophen‐2‐yl, isopropenyl, fur‐3‐yl, and fur‐2‐yl, respectively, on the aryl ring are also prepared. Analogous aldehydes 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e are similarly prepared from 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e , respectively. For oxygenations of 1b , 1d , and 1e in alcohol, mixtures of aldehyde 4 , ester 5 , and acetal 8 are obtained. The carbene complex 2b obtained from 1b was also characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The UV/Vis spectra of 2a and 2b consist of absorption bands with a high extinction coefficient. From DFT calculations on 2a and 2b , the visible light is found to populate the LUMO antibonding orbital of mainly Ru?C bonds, thereby weakening the Ru?C bond and promoting the oxygenation/demetalation reactions of 2 .     

Iridium complex-catalyzed highly selective cross [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of two different monoynes: 2:1 coupling versus 1:2 coupling

[reaction: see text] Highly selective cross [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of two different monoynes is achieved by using a catalytic amount of [Ir(cod)Cl](2) and ligand. The ligand had a considerable effect on the reaction. When 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane was used, two molecules of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) reacted with one molecule of a monoyne to give the 2:1 coupling product. When 1,2-bis(dipentafluorophenylphosphino)ethane was used instead of dppe, one molecule of DMAD reacted with two molecules of a monoyne to give the 1:2 coupling product.     

Formation of ammonia in the reactions of a tungsten dinitrogen with ruthenium dihydrogen complexes under mild reaction conditions

Treatment of cis-[W(N2)2(PMe2Ph)4] (5) with an equilibrium mixture of trans-[RuCl(eta 2-H2)(dppp)2]X (3) with pKa = 4.4 and [RuCl(dppp)2]X (4) [X = PF6, BF4, or OTf; dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane] containing 10 equiv of the Ru atom based on tungsten in benzene-dichloroethane at 55 degrees C for 24 h under 1 atm of H2 gave NH3 in 45-55% total yields based on tungsten, together with the formation of trans-[RuHCl(dppp)2] (6). Free NH3 in 9-16% yields was observed in the reaction mixture, and further NH3 in 36-45% yields was released after base distillation. Detailed studies on the reaction of 5 with numerous Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes showed that the yield of NH3 produced critically depended upon the pKa value of the employed Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes. When 5 was treated with 10 equiv of trans-[RuCl(eta 2-H2)(dppe)2]X (8) with pKa = 6.0 [X = PF6, BF4, or OTf; dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] under 1 atm of H2, NH3 was formed in higher yields (up to 79% total yield) compared with the reaction with an equilibrium mixture of 3 and 4. If the pKa value of a Ru(eta 2-H2) complex was increased up to about 10, the yield of NH3 was remarkably decreased. In these reactions, heterolytic cleavage of H2 seems to occur at the Ru center via nucleophilic attack of the coordinated N2 on the coordinated H2 where a proton (H+) is used for the protonation of the coordinated N2 and a hydride (H-) remains at the Ru atom. Treatment of 5, trans-[W(N2)2(PMePh2)4] (14), or trans-[M(N2)2(dppe)2] [M = Mo (1), W (2)] with Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes at room temperature led to isolation of intermediate hydrazido(2-) complexes such as trans-[W(OTf)(NNH2)(PMe2Ph)4]OTf (19), trans-[W(OTf)(NNH2)(PMePh2)4]OTf (20), and trans-[WX(NNH2)(dppe)2]+ [X = OTf (15), F (16)]. The molecular structure of 19 was determined by X-ray analysis. Further ruthenium-assisted protonation of hydrazido(2-) intermediates such as 19 with H2 at 55 degrees C was considered to result in the formation of NH3, concurrent with the generation of W(VI) species. All of the electrons required for the reduction of N2 are provided by the zerovalent tungsten.