Synthesis and characterization of an unsymmetrically bonded tetrahydroborato ruthenium hydride complex

Abstract

The complex RuH(η²-BH₄)(ttp)[ttp = PhP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂], obtained by treatment of [RuCl₂(ttp)]_x with excess of sodium tetrahydroborate in refluxing tetrahydrofuran, shows discrete ¹H n.m.r. signals for the Ru–H protons, each of the two Ru–H–B bridging protons, and the two terminal B–H protons at ambient temperature; however, the static BH₄^– group undergoes proton scrambling at higher temperatures in two distinct steps.