Nitrous oxide mediated oxygen atom insertion into a ruthenium-hydride bond. Synthesis and reactivity of the monomeric hydroxoruthenium complex (DMPE)(2)Ru(H)(OH)
Treatment of (DMPE)(2)Ru(H)(2) with 1 equiv of N2O affords the hydroxoruthenium complex (DMPE)(2)Ru(H)(OH) (1) in 41% yield; further treatment with an atmosphere of N2O affords the bis(hydroxo) complex (DMPE)(2)Ru(OH)(2) (4) in 17% yield. The addition of protic reagents to 1 results in the replacement of the OH group with several other ligands, including aryloxo, thiolato, siloxo, C-bound enolate, acetylide, and triphenylstannyl; more deep-seated changes take place when 1 reacts with p-tolualdehyde and hexafluoroacetone.