Synthesis, nucleophilic attack on, and rearrangement of cationic ruthenafurans: X-ray crystal structures of [Ru(CO)2{C(Ph)NHCMe3}(CH2CO2Et)(PMe2Ph)2][PF6] and [Ru(CO)2{C(Me)CHC(O)OEt}(PMe2Ph)2][PF6]
Abstract
The methyl-substituted ruthenafuran 5 rearranges at room temperature by dismantling and reassembly of the five-membered ring, yielding 7 and then 8: the conversion is catalysed by Me3CNH2; in contrast Me3CNH2 attacks 2, the phenyl analogue of 5, to give a stable non-cyclic aminocarbene complex 3.