Recent Chemistry Based on the [RuCp(CH₃CN)₃]⁺ Cation: Reappraisalof an Old Precursor

Summary.

 This article gives an overview of recent chemistry based on the tris-acetonitrile complex [RuCp(CH₃CN)₃]⁺. Due to the labile nature of the CH₃CN ligands, substitution reactions are a dominant feature of this complex. Important derivatives are the highly reactive complexes [RuCp(PR ₃)(CH₃CN)₂]⁺ which are a source of the 14e⁻ fragment [RuCp(PR ₃)]⁺. These species are catalytically active in the redox isomerization of allyl alcohols to give aldehydes and ketones. Furthermore, the cationic complex [RuCp(κ¹(P),η²-PPh₂CH₂CH₂CH*CH₂)(CH₃CN)]PF₆ derived from the reaction of [RuCp(CH₃CN)₃]⁺ with PPh₂CH₂CH₂CH*CH₂ is a model compound for studying coupling reactions of olefins and acetylenes. In addition, [RuCp(CH₃CN)₃]⁺ is a valuable precursor for the synthesis of configurationally stable chiral three-legged piano-stool ruthenium complexes. These are currently being intensively investigated as Lewis acid catalysts in asymmetric synthesis.