Polarized complexes obtained by regiospecific substitution of a CN group in Ru{C≡CC(CN)=C(CN)2}(dppe)Cp* (Cp* = η-C 5Me5)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om300059q

The complex Ru{C≡CC(CN)=C(CN)₂}(dppe)Cp* (1), containing the new tricyanovinylethynyl (3,4,4-tricyanobut-3-en-1-ynyl) ligand, undergoes ready substitution of the 3-cyano group by nucleophiles (Nu) such as H, Me, Prⁱ, Bu, Bu^t, mesityl, OMe, OBu^t, OCH₂CH=CH₂, NHEt, NEt₂, and PPh₂ to give Ru{C≡CC(Nu)=C(CN)₂}(dppe)Cp. The X-ray diffraction structures of several of the resulting complexes are reported and, for the mesityl and PPh₂ products, show that isomerization to the 3,5-dimethylbenzyl and oxidation to the phosphine oxide have respectively occurred.