Synthesis of Ru-arene complexes of Me-Duphos. X-ray, PGSE NMR diffusion and catalytic studies

Cationic [RuCl(arene)(Me-Duphos)]Cl complexes, arene = eta(6)-benzene and eta(6)-p-cymene, Me-Duphos = 1,2-bis-((2R,5R)-2,5-dimethylphospholano) benzene) have been prepared and studied by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. PGSE NMR diffusion studies have been used to recognize (a) ion pairing as a function of solvent and (b) larger molecular volumes. Several arene-Ru-complexes have been shown to be useful catalyst precursors in the hydrolysis of terminal aryl alkynes to afford acetophenones. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.