The chemistry of compounds of the type Ru(η---C5Me4Et)(CO)2X (X=Cl, Br or I)

The title compounds react with unidentate ligands, L, containing either phosphorus or arsenic donor atoms to yield the corresponding compounds of the type Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)LX; with didentate phosphorus donor ligands the major species formed is the bridged complex {Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)X}₂{Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh ₂} n = 1, X = Br; n = 2, X = Cl). In contrast, unidentate ligands containing nitrogen donor atoms such as pyridine did not react with Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂Cl although reaction with 1,10-phenanthroline or diethylenetriamine yielded the ionic products [Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)L]⁺Cl⁻ (L = phen or (NH₂CH₂CH₂)₂NH). Reaction of Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂Br with AgOAc yielded the corresponding acetato complex Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂0Ac. Ru(η⁵--- C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂X reacts with AgY (Y = BF₄ or PF₆) in either acetone or dichloromethane to give the useful solvent intermediates [Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂(solvent)]⁺Y⁻, which readily react with ligands L to yield ionic derivatives of the type [Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂L]⁺Y⁻ (where L = CO, NCMe, py, C₂H₄ or MeO₂CCCCO₂Me).