Synthesis and derivative chemistry of [Ru2(μ-PPh2) (μ-OH) 2(μ-p-cymene) 2]

The cationic diphenylphosphido-bridged compound Ru₂(μ-PPh₂)(μ-OH)₂(η⁶-p-cymene)₂]PF₆) (2) has been prepared by reaction of the tri-μ-hydroxo complex Ru₂(μ-OH)₃(η-p-cymene)₂]PF₆] (1) with diphenylphosphine. Complex 2 eliminates water on reaction with protic acids, incorporating the conjugate base of the added acid as a bridging ligand. Formic acid, acetic acid, phenol, and aniline react with 2 to give the monosubstituted compounds Ru₂(μ-PPh₂)(μ-OH)(μ-L)(η⁶-p-cymene)₂]PF₆] (L = HCO₂, MeCO₂, OPh, or NHPH), whereas methanol, thiophenol, 1,2-benzenedithiol, hydrochloric acid and isopropanol afford the disubstituted derivatives Ru₂(μ-PPh₂)(μ-L)₂(η⁶-p-cymene)₂]PF₆] (L = OMe, SPh, S₂C₆H₄, Cl, or H).