The relative affinities of tertiary phosphines, tertiary arsines or phosphites (L) for ruthenium in complexes of type [RuHcl(CO)(PR2Ph)2L](R = alkyl)

Abstract

Complexes of the type [RuHCl(CO)(PR₂Ph)₃](R = Et, Prⁿ or Buⁿ) react rapidly with tertiary phosphines, tertiary arsines, dimethyl phenylphosphonite or triethyl phosphite to give [RuHCl(CO)(PR₂Ph)₂L]. Often the conversion is only partial but the equilibrium is reached rapidly and has been studied by means of the high field (hydride)¹H resonance. The relative affinities are AsEt₂Ph < AsMe₂Ph < PBuⁿ₂Ph ≈ PPrⁿ₂Ph ≈ PEt₂Ph < PEt₃ < P(OEt)₃≈ PMe₂Ph < P(OMe)₂Ph.