The SO2(3B1) photosensitized isomerization of cis- and trans-1,2-difluoroethylene

Quantum yield measurements for the SO₂(³B₁) photosensitized isomerization of cis-1,2-difluoroethylene have been made at 3712 Å and 22°C. The [SO₂]/[cis-C₂F₂H₂] ratio was varied from 47.4 to 455 and the quantum yield measurements over this variation of concentration ratios were consistent with a mechanism in which SO₂(³B₁) molecules and the cis isomer form a collision intermediate which decomposes with a probability of 0.42 ± 0.17 and 0.58 ± 0.17 of producing trans- and cis-1,2-difluoroethylene, respectively. When SO₂ was subjected to prolonged irradiations in the presence of initially either pure cis- or pure trans-1,2-difluoroethylene, a photostationary composition, [cis]/[trans] = 1.0 ± 0.2, was obtained. The rate constant at 22°C for removal of SO₂(³B₁) molecules by cis-1,2-difluoroethylene was estimated to be (1.72 ± 0.72) × 10¹⁰ 1./mole · sec.     

Methylene radical reaction with cis-butene-2

A study of the pressure dependence of the C₅ products from the reaction of cis-butene-2 and methylene is reported. Methylene was produced by the photolysis of diazomethane with 4358 Å light at 23° or 56°, and by photolysis of ketene with 3200 Å radiation at 23° or 100°. The change with increasing pressure of the relative amounts of the characteristically “triplet products” (trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane, trans-pentene-2 (TP2), and 3-methylbutene-1 (3MB1)) and “singlet products” (cis-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane (CDMC) and cis-pentene-2 (CP2)) are discussed. The behavior is reminiscent of that found in ³CH₂-cis-butene-2 systems and can be interpreted in terms of the rapid rate of rearrangement of an initial triplet diradical product component, due to ³CH₂, relative to the slower rate and readier collisional stabilization of an initial vibrationally-excited dimethyl cyclopropane product component, due to ¹CH₂. Relative rates of reactions of ¹CH₂ with allylic CH:vinyl CH:C?C in the neat liquid were, for diazomethane, 1:1.1:7.2 and, for ketene, 1:1.2:6.7.     

钌1,2-萘醌-1-肟配合物对aldol C—C成键反应的催化作用

在钌1,2-萘醌-1-肟(1-nqo)配合物cis,cis-[Ru(1-nqo)₂(CO)(NCMe)] (1)或trans,trans-[Ru(1-nqo)₂(PBu₃)₂] (2)的作用下, 氰基乙酸乙酯与取代苯甲醛发生aldol C—C成键反应. 根据GC-MS检测及HPLC分离结果, 对二苯甲醛的二个醛基可分别或同时与氰基乙酸乙酯发生aldol反应. ¹H NMR表征结果证明, 二种产物的双键构型均为反式. 其它取代苯甲醛的反应均给出单一反式aldol产物, 这表明该催化反应具有立体选择性. 配合物1的催化活性稍差, 产率不超过60%, 而配合物2的催化活性要高于1, 最高产率达99%.     

Schiff Base Complexes of Rhodium(I) with Tridentate N-Methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate Ligands

Schiff bases derived from the condensation of β-diketones with N-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazates yield cis dicarbonyl complexes Rh(CO)₂ (Schiff) on reaction with [Rh(μ-Cl)(CO)₂]₂. Those derived from aromatic aldehydes form trans dicarbonyl complexes. These complexes with excess of triphenylphosphine give only Rh(CO)(PPh₃)(Schiff). cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD) reacts with cis dicarbonyl complexes to yield the carbonyl-free product Rh(COD)(Schiff); similar reactions have not been observed in the case of trans-dicarbonyl complexes. Oxidative addition of bromine to these complexes yields dibromo derivative in which the Schiff base acts as bidentate chelate. Rh(PPh₃)₂(Schiff) complexes have been obtained from the reaction of above Schiff bases with Rh(PPh₃)₃Cl. The structures of these new complexes have been determined based on IR and ¹H NMR spectra.     

Trifluoromethylation of [AuF3(SIMes)]: Preparation and Characterization of [Au(CF3)xF3−x(SIMes)] (x=1–3) Complexes

Trifluoromethylation of [AuF₃(SIMes)] with the Ruppert–Prakash reagent TMSCF₃ in the presence of CsF yields the product series [Au(CF₃)_xF_3−x(SIMes)] (x=1–3). The degree of trifluoromethylation is solvent dependent and the ratio of the species can be controlled by varying the stoichiometry of the reaction, as evidenced from the ¹⁹F NMR spectra of the corresponding reaction mixtures. The molecular structures in the solid state of trans-[Au(CF₃)F₂(SIMes)] and [Au(CF₃)₃(SIMes)] are presented, together with a selective route for the synthesis of the latter complex. Correlation of the calculated SIMes affinity with the carbene carbon chemical shift in the ¹³C NMR spectrum reveals that trans-[Au(CF₃)F₂(SIMes)] and [Au(CF₃)₃(SIMes)] nicely follow the trend in Lewis acidities of related organo gold(III) complexes. Furthermore, a new correlation between the Au−C_carbene bond length of the molecular structure in the solid state and the chemical shift of the carbene carbon in the ¹³C NMR spectrum is presented.     

Differentiation of the isomeric 1,2-cyclopentanediols by ion-molecule reactions in a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer

Collisionally activated decompositions and ion-molecule reactions in a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer are used to distinguish between cis- and trans-1,2-cyclopentanediol isomers. For ion kinetic energies varying from 5 eV to 15 eV (laboratory frame of reference), qualitative differences in the daughter ion spectra of [MH]⁺ are seen when N₂ is employed as an inert collision gas. The cis ?1,2-cyclopentanediol isomer favors H₂O elimination to give predominantly [MH- H₂O]⁺. In the trans isomer, where H₂O elimination is less likely to occur, the rearrangement ion [HOCH₂CHOH]⁺ exists in significantly greater abundance. Ion-molecule reactions with NH₃ under single-collision conditions and low ion kinetic energies can provide thermochemical as well as stereochemical information. For trans ?1,2-cyclopentanediol, the formation of [NH₄]⁺ by proton transfer is an exothermic reaction with the maximum product ion intensity at ion kinetic energies approaching 0 eV. The ammonium adduct ion [M + NH₄]⁺ is of greater intensity for the trans isomer. In the proton transfer reaction with the cis isomer, the formation of [NH₄]⁺ is an endothermic process with a definite translational energy onset. From this measured threshold ion kinetic energy, the proton affinity of cis ?1,2-cyclopentanedioi was estimated to be 886 ± 10 kJ mol^?1.     

The SO2(3B1) photosensitized isomerization of cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene

The photolysis of SO₂ at 3712 Å in the presence of the 1,2-dichloroethylenes has been investigated at 22deg;C. The data are consistent with the SO₂(³B₁) photosensitized isomerization of the 1,2-dichloroethylene isomer. A kinetic treatment of the initial quantum yield data was consistent with the formation of a polarized charge-transfer intermediate whenever SO₂(³B₁) molecules and one of the 1,2-dichloroethylene isomers collide which ultimately decays unimolecularly to the cis-isomer with a probability of 0.70 ± 0.26 and to the trans-isomer with a 0.37 ± 0.16 probability. Quenching rate constants for removal of SO₂(³B₁) molecules by cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene have been estimated from quantum yield data and from laser excited phosphorescence lifetimes using an excitation wavelength of 3130 Å. Estimates of the quenching rate constant (units of 1./mole ± sec) are for the cis-isomer, (1.63 ± 0.71) × 10¹⁰, quantum yield data, and (2.44 ± 0.11) × 10¹⁰, lifetime data; and for the trans-isomer,(2.59 ± 0.09)×10¹⁰, lifetime data, and (2.35 ±0.89) × 10¹⁰, quantum yield data. An experimentally determined photostationary composition,[cis-C₂Cl₂H₂]/[trans-C₂Cl₂H₂] = 1.8 - 0.1, was in good agreement with a value of 2.00 - 1.15 which was predicted from rate constants derived in this study.     

Chiral and Nonchiral [OsX2(diphosphane)(diamine)] (X: Cl,OCH2CF3) Complexes for Fast Hydrogenation of Carbonyl Compounds

The osmium complexes trans‐[OsCl₂(dppf)(diamine)] (dppf: 1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; diamine: ethylenediamine in 3 , propylenediamine in 4 ) were prepared by the reaction of [OsCl₂(PPh₃)₃] ( 1 ) with the ferrocenyl diphosphane, dppf and the corresponding diamine in dichloromethane. The reaction of derivative 3 with NaOCH₂CF₃ in toluene afforded the alkoxide cis‐[Os(OCH₂CF₃)₂(dppf)(ethylenediamine)] ( 5 ). The novel precursor [Os₂Cl₄(P(m‐tolyl)₃)₅] ( 2 ) allows the synthesis of the chiral complexes trans‐[OsCl₂(diphosphane)(1,2‐diamine)] ( 6 – 9 ; diphosphane: (R)‐[6,6′‐dimethoxy(1,1′‐biphenyl)‐2,2′‐diyl]bis[1,1‐bis(3,5‐dimethylphenyl)phosphane] (xylMeObiphep) or (R)‐(1,1′‐binaphthalene)‐2,2′‐diylbis[1,1‐bis(3,5‐dimethylphenyl)phosphane] (xylbinap); diamine=(R,R)‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine (dpen) or (R,R)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane (dach)), obtained by the treatment of 2 with the diphosphane and the 1,2‐diamine in toluene at reflux temperature. Compounds 3 – 5 in ethanol and in the presence of NaOEt catalyze the reduction of methyl aryl, dialkyl, and diaryl ketones and aldehydes with H₂ at low pressure (5 atm), with substrate/catalyst (S/C) ratios of 10 000–200 000 and achieving turnover frequencies (TOFs) of up to 3.0×10⁵ h^?1 at 70 °C. By employment of the chiral compounds 6 – 9 , different ketones, including alkyl aryl, bulky tert‐butyl, and cyclic ketones, have successfully been hydrogenated with enantioselectivities up to 99 % and with S/C ratios of 5000–100 000 and TOFs of up to 4.1×10⁴ h^?1 at 60 °C.     

Syntheses of Unique Bicyclophostones and Unexpected Difference in the Reaction of Lawesson's Reagent vs. P2S5 with Cis-Bicyclophostone (1)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to synthesize trans-l and determine the equilibriurr constant with cis-1. Oniy the synthesis¹ and x-ray structure² of the cis isomer have bcen reported. Four prior synthetic routes to make the vans isomer³ gave only cis product. For example, intrarmolecular ring closure of the cis or trains isomers of 4 (R= (CH₂)₃OH) with LiH or thermal closure of the cis or trans 4 (R= (CH₂)₂) gave only cis-1. Since both iosmers of 1,8-dioxabicyclo[4.4.0] decane are known and readily equilibrate (57% cis and 43% trans), the apparent inaccessibility of trans-1 attracted our attention. Thc preparation of trans-1 was achieved by treatment of cis-1 with Lawesson's reagent (LR) to provide cis-2. followed by oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid/trifluoroacetic acid to give a 5:1 mixture of cis:trans 1, respectively. An unexpected formation of the sulfur analogue of 1 was observed on treatment of cis-1 with P₂S₅/pyridine at reflux temperatures to give a 1.6:1 mixture of cis:trans 3, respectively. Thermal quilibration of 1 at 204°C provided an equilibrium ratio of 99.5% cis and 0.5% of the trans isomer. However, equilibration of 3 at 250°C led to 82.2:17.8 ratio in favor of the cis isomr. These results are consistent with semiemperical MO calculations. The stereochemical outcome on treatment of 4 with LR was also investigated. X-ray structures for six compounds: trans-1, cis-2, cis and trans-3; cis-4 (R=Ph), and cis-5, (R = Ph) wen determined.     

Substitution reactions under NH3 chemical ionization conditions in cis-/trans-1,2-dihydroxybenzosuberans

The nucleophilic substitution reaction under NH₃ chemical ionization (CI) conditions in cis- and trans-1,2-dihydroxybenzosuberans (1–4) has been studied with the help of ND₃ CI and metastable data. The results indicate that in the parent diols 1 (cis) and 2 (trans), the substitution ion [M_sH]⁺, is produced mainly by the loss of H₂O from the [MNH₄]⁺ ion (S_Ni reaction) while in their 7-methoxy derivatives 3 and 4, the ion-molecule reaction between [M? OH]⁺ and NH₃ seems to be the major pathway for the formation of [M_sH]⁺. The substitution ion from 1 and 2 and the [MH]⁺ ion from trans-1-amino-2-hydroxybenzosuberan give similar collision-induced dissociation mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectra. Interestingly, their diacetates do not undergo the substitution reaction.     

Compounds with bridgehead nitrogen. 44—the conformational analysis of perhydropyrido[1,2-c] [1,3]thiazine

The 270 MHz NMR data on trans- and cis-(H-4a, H-7)-7-ethylperhydropyrido[1,2-c][1,3]thiazine show heavy conformational bias to the trans- and S-inside cis-fused conformations, respectively. Comparison of the ¹³C NMR spectra of these anancomeric systems with the ¹³C NMR spectrum of perhydropyrido[1,2-c][1,3]thiazine indicates a trans-?S-inside cis-conformational equilibrium for the latter compound in CDCl₃ at 25°C, containing ca 75% trans-fused conformer. The ¹³C NMR spectrum of perhydropyrido[1,2-c][1,3]-thiazine at ?75°C showed 64% trans-fused conformer and 36% S-inside cis-conformer.     

The Reaction of 2‐X‐1, 2‐Difluoroalk‐1‐enyldifluoroboranes with Xenon Difluoride. A Methodical Approach to 1, 2‐Difluoroalk‐1‐enylxenon(II) Salts

2‐X‐1, 2‐Difluoroalk‐1‐enylxenon(II) salts were prepared by the reaction of XeF₂ with XCF=CFBF₂ (X = F, trans‐H, cis‐Cl, trans‐Cl, cis‐CF₃, cis‐C₂F₅) but no organoxenon(II) compounds were obtained when the trans‐isomers of boranes, trans‐XCF=CFBF₂ (X = CF₃, C₄F₉, C₄H₉, Et₃Si), were used under similar conditions.     

Chiral Ruthenium-Oxo Complexes for Enantioselective Epoxidation of trans-Stilbene

Two oxoruthenium(IV) complexes containing C₂ symmetric 1,1′-biisoquinoline (biqn) and (R,R)-3,3′-(1,2-dimethylethylenedioxy)-2,2′-bipyridine (diopy*) were prepared, and both are active oxidants for alkene epoxidations. The oxidation of styrene and cis- and trans-β-methylstyrenes by [(Cn)(diopy*)-Ru^IV(O)](ClO₄)₂ did not proceed enantioselectively, but the same oxidant can attain a moderate enantioselectivity of 33%ee for the trans-stilbene oxidation to trans-stilbene oxide. A head-on approach model, where the C=C is directed from the top to the O=Ru moiety, is proposed to account for the facial differentiation of the trans-stilbene oxidation.     

Atmospheric reactions of chloroethenes with the OH radical

The kinetics and products of the homogeneous gas-phase reactions of the OH radical with the chloroethenes were investigated at 298 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure. Using a relative rate technique and ethane as a scavenger for the chlorine atoms produced in these OH radical reactions, rate constants (in units of 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1s^?1) of 8.11 ± 0.24, 2.38 ± 0.14, and 1.80 ± 0.03 were obtained for 1,1-dichloroethene, cis-1, 2-dichloroethene and trans-1,2-dichloroethene, respectively. Under these conditions, the major products observed by long pathlength FT-IR absorption spectroscopy were HCHO and HC(O)Cl from vinyl chloride; HC(O)Cl from cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethene; HCHO and COCl₂ from 1,1-dichloroethene; HC(O)Cl and COCl₂ from trichloroethene; and COCl₂ from tetrachloroethene. In the absence of a Cl atom scavenger, significant yields of the chloroacetyl chlorides, CH_xCl_3?xC(O)Cl, were observed from 1,1-dichloro-, trichloro- and tetrachloroethene, indicating that these products resulted from reactions involving chlorine atoms. The yields of all of these products are reported and the mechanisms of these gas-phase reactions discussed. In addition, OH radical reaction rate constants were redetermined, in the presence of a Cl atom scavenger, for cis- and trans-1,3-dichloropropene and 3-chloro-2-chloromethyl-1-propene, being (in units of 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) 8.45 ± 0.41, 14.4 ± 0.8, and 33.5 ± 3.0, respectively.     

Base hydrolysis of mono-alkylsubstituted chloropentaamminecobalt(III) complexes

Summary The preparation of the series ofcis- andtrans-[Co(NH₃)₄(RNH₂)Cl]²⁺ complexes (withcis, R = Me orn-Pr andtrans, R = Me, Et,n-Pr,n-Bu ori-Bu) is described. The u.v-visible spectra indicate a decrease of the ligand field on increasing chain length. Infrared spectra show an enhanced Co-Cl bond strength compared to the pentaammine. Partial molar volumes of the complex cations do not reveal steric compression. From proton exchange studies in D₂O it follows that [Co(NH₃)₅Cl]²⁺ and thecis- andtrans-[Co(NH₃)₄-(CH₃NH₂)C1]²⁺ complexes exchange the amine protons on the grouptrans to the chloro faster than those on thecis. A coordinated methylamine group exchanges its amine protons slower than a corresponding NH₃ group in the parent pentaammine, but the methyl introduction accelerates the exchange of the other NH₃ groups. The aquation of thetrans-alkylamine complexes (studied at 52° C) is acceleratedca. 10 times compared to the parent pentaammine, irrespective of the nature of the alkyl group. Thecis complexes do not show this acceleration of aquation. In base hydrolysis (studied at 25° C) thecis complexes are the most reactive (a factor 20 over the parent ion). Thecis/trans product ratio in base hydrolysis and the competition ratio in the presence of azide ions were calculated from the 500 MHz¹H n.m.r. spectra, which display distinctly different alkyl resonances for each individual complex. Thecis ions react under stereochemical retention of configuration; thetrans compounds give 10±1%trans tocis rearrangement. The ionic strength (4 mol dm^–3) and the pH do not affect this result. The same product ratio is obtained in methanol-water and DMSO-water mixtures. Ammoniation in liquid ammonia gives the same ratios as in base hydrolysis, base-catalyzed solvolysis in neat methylamine gives stereochemical retention for both thecis- andtrans-methylamine ion. The product competition ratio (Co-N₃)/(Co-OH₂) for thecis compounds and the bulkier amines (R =n- andi-Bu), 15–25% at 1 mol dm^–3N ₃ ^– , isca. twice that of thetrans compounds and the pentaammine. The results are interpreted in the classical conjugate base mechanism, and discussed in the context of current ideas about stereochemistry of base hydrolysis.Prof. C. R. Píriz Mac-Coll from Uruguay is a guest at the Free University of Amsterdam.     

13C NMR spectroscopy of [4.n.0] bicyclic compounds: Assignment of the ring junction configuration from ring junction configuration from ring junction 13C chemical shifts—application and limits

Several 6-methyl-9-carbamoyltetrahydro-4H-pyrido[1,2-α]pyrimidin-4-ones have been prepared using phosgene iminium chloride. These compounds can exist in equilibrium as the cis (3A) imine ? (3B) enamine ? trans (3C) imine. ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR prove that the cis- and trans-imine isomers are predominant in the equilibrium. ¹H NMR data reveal that the share of the 3B enamine form is negligible at measurable concentrations. The isomeric ratio 3A:3C is time dependent and can be monitored by measuring the CH₃? C-6 and (CH₃)₂N signals. The ¹³C NMR data show that doublets in the range 42–45 ppm for C-9 are only compatible with the imine forms 3A and 3C. The SCS values of the CH₃? C-6 and OCN(CH₃)₂ groups were calculated and used for identification of the cis and trans isomers. ¹⁵N NMR data show that the N-1 chemical shift of the imine is approximately ? 140 ppm for compound 3, whereas that of a fixed enamine is around ? 267.8. This provides additional support for the predominance of the imine tautomers in the equilibrium 3A ? 3B ? 3C. ¹⁵N data allow the stereoisomers 3A and 3C to be distinguished.     

Transformations of chloroethylenes in the presence of aprotonic acids

The cationic polymerization of vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, and cis- and trans- 1,2-dichloroethylenes with the use of Lewis acid-type catalysts has been studied. Vinylidene chloride is smoothly polymerized in the presence of ZnCl₂ at 40°C to form the dimer, 1,1,3,3-tetrachlorobutene-1, and poly(vinylidene chloride) having somewhat increased crystallinity (45%). Vinyl chloride is polymerized very slowly in the presence of AlCl₃ and TiCl₄ to give dimeric, trimeric, tetrameric, and low molecular weight polymer products. The polymerization is followed by carbonium ion isomerization that leads to reaction products of branched structure. The cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylenes react in the presence of AlCl₃ only at 50–60°C, and their polymerization is terminated at the stage of dimer and cyclic trimer formation. A mechanism of carbonium ion-initiated polymerization of chloroethylenes is proposed, and the causes which lead to early termination of polymerization are discussed.     

Novel 1:1 adducts from the reaction of hexafluoroacetone azine with various olefins and 1,3-dienes; Diels-Alder adducts as intermediates in the formation of criss-cross 2:1 adducts

Hexafluoroacetone azine¹ (I) has been reported^2,3 to react thermally (160–180°) with electron-rich olefins of type H₂CCHR (R  H, Me, or Et) to give “criss-cross” (1,3-:4,2-) adducts (II). In contrast, cis- or trans-but-2-ene and cyclohexene react under comparable conditions to give nitrogen and products derived formally from addition and insertion reactions of bis(trifluoromethyl)-carbene, although it is doubtful if the free carbene is involved^2,4. The reaction of azine (I) with alkanes is reported⁵ to involve a radical mechanism in which the diazo compound (CF₃)₂CN₂, and thence the carbene (CF₃)₂C:, is formed by a secondary process.     

Reaction of mercury salts with dimethyl tricyclo [4.2.2.02,5]deca-3,7-diene-cis-endo-9,10-dicarboxylate in acetic acid

The reaction of dimethyl tricyclo[4.2.2.0^2,5]deca-3,7-diene-cis-endo-9,10-dicarboxylate with mercury salts Hg(OCOR)₂ (R=CCl₃, CF₃, CH₂Cl) in acetic acid yields a mixture of solvoadducts and products of addition of the anionic moiety of the reagent having thetrans-configuration. In the case of Hg(OCOCCl₃)₂,cis-solvoadduct was detected along with thetrans-isomer. The amount of the addition products is determined by the nature of the mercury salt and increases in the order Hg(OCOCH₂Cl)₂<Hg(OCOCCl₃)₂=Hg(OCOCF₃)₂. The reaction is assumed to involve contact and solvent-separated ion pairs. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2173–2176, November, 1999.     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure of Ruthenium 1,2－Naphthoquinone－1－oxime Complex and Its Mediated C－－C Coupling Reactions of Ter－minal Alkynes

Substituted decarbonylation reaction of ruthenium 1,2‐naphthoquinone‐1‐oxime (1‐nqo) complex, cis‐, cis‐[Ru| ζ²‐N(O)C₁₀‐H₆O|₂(CO)₂] (1), with acetonitrile gave cis‐, cis‐[Ru | ζ²‐ N(O)C₁₀H₆O|₂(CO)(NCMe)] (2). Complex 2 was fully characterized by ¹H NMR, FAB MS, IR spectra and single crystal X‐ray analysis. Complex 2 maintains the coordination structure of 1 with the two naphthoquinonic oxygen atoms, as well as the two oximato nitrogen atoms located cis to each other, showing that there is no ligand rearrangement of the 1‐nqo ligands during the substitution reaction. The carbonyl group originally trans to the naphthoquinonic oxygen in one 1‐nqo ligand is left in its original position [O(5)‐Ru‐C(1), 174.0(6)°], while the other one originally trans to the oximato group of the other 1‐nqo ligand is substituted by NCMe [N(1)‐Ru‐N(3), 170.6(6)°]. This shows that the carbonyl trans to oximato group is more labile than the one trans to naphthoquinonic O atom towards substitution. This is probably due to the comparatively stronger ± back bonding from ruthenium metal to the carbonyl group trans to naphthoquinonic O atom, than the one trans to oximato group, resulting in the comparatively weaker Ru–‐CO bond for the latter and consequently easier replacement of this carbonyl. Selected coupling of phenylacetylene mediated by 2 gave a single trans‐dimerization product 3, while 2 mediated coupling reaction of methyl propiolate produced three products: one trans‐dimerization product 4 and two cyclotrimeric products 5 and 6.