Hydrocarbon complexes of ruthenium. Part VI. Reactions of bis(trimethylsilyl)- and bis(trimethylgermyl)-tetracarbonylruthenium complexes with azulenes

Abstract

On reaction of [Ru(MMe₃)₂(CO)₄](M = Si or Ge) with azulene. (I), migration of an MMe₃ group occurs to yield stable complexes [Ru(MMe₃)(CO)₂{1,2,3,3a,8a-η-C₁₀H₈(6-MMe₃)}], (II), characterised in part by ¹H and ¹³C n.m.r. spectroscopy. Treatment of the germanium complex with iodine gives [Ru(I)(CO)₂{1,2,3,3a,8a-η-C₁₀H₈-(6-GeMe₃)}], (III). 7-lsopropyl-1,4-dimethylazulene reacts with [Ru(GeMe₃)₂(CO)₄] with transfer of a Me₃Ge group in a similar manner. The binuclear complex[{Ru(SiMe₃)(CO)₄}₂] reacts with azulene to give in low yield compounds (II; M = Si), [{Ru(SiMe₃)(CO)₂(C₁₀H₈)}₂], and [Ru₂(CO)₅(C₁₀H₈)]. The latter complex is best prepared (75% yield) by treating dodecacarbonyltriruthenium with azulene in heptane heated under reflux. The reaction between 7-isopropyl-1,4-dimethylazulene and Ru₃(CO)₁₂ has also been studied.