[RuH(1–6-η-C8H10)(1′,2′;5′,6′-η-C8H12)]BF4, the first isolated hydridometal complex stabilized only by alicyclic hydrocarbon ligands and a very efficient catalyst precursor for the transformation of alkenes

Abstract

Low-temperature protonation of [Ru(1–6-η-C₈H₁₀)(1′,2′;5′,6′-η-C₈H₁₂)] by HBF₄·Et₂O affords [RuH(1–6η-C₈H₁₀)(1′,2′;5′,6′-η-C₈H₁₂)]BF₄(4), a rare example of a hydrido-alkene complex which isomerises at room temperature to, first, [RuH(η⁵-C₈H₁₁)₂]BF₄ and then to [Ru(1–5-η-C₈H₁₁)(1′–4′-η-C₈H₁₂)]BF₄; all these complexes are efficient catalyst precursors for the isomerisation, oligomerisation, and polymerisation of alkenes and dienes.