A PHOSPHORUS-CARBON BOND-CLEAVAGE REACTION OF COORDINATED TRIMETHYLPHOSPHINE IN (PME3)4RU(OC6H4ME)2

A product resulting from cleavage of the PC bond in a trimethylphosphine ligand forms upon thermolysis of (PMe3)4Ru(OC6H4Me)2 (1) or addition of p-cresol to the orthometallated complex (PMe3)4Ru(η2-OC6H3Me) (2). The trimethylphosphine ligand has been transformed to a dimethylarylphosphinite ligand in the product (PMe3)3(η2-PMe2OC6H3)Ru(OC6H4Me) (3). Although complex 1 exists in equilibrium with complex 2 and free p-cresol at 65° C, kinetic evidence is presented indicating that complex 1 undergoes the PC cleavage reaction. An X-ray crystal structure analysis was performed on 3. Crystal data at 25° C: a 11.8875(11), b 36.000(4), c 14.1207(13) Å, β = 90.428(8)°, Z = 8, Dcalc 1.33 g/cm3; space group P21/n. © 1990.