Carbon-carbon bond formation reactions of the iodomethane complex [Cp(dppe)Ru(ICH3)]PF6

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om00098a041

The new iodomethane complex [Cp(dppe)-Ru(IMe)](CF₃SO₃) (1a) is formed by a new synthetic route, the reaction between methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate and Cp(dppe)RuI (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane). The hexafluorophosphate salt 1b reacts with a wide range of nucleophiles, including enamines and lithium enolates, affording C-methylation products. In the first reported case of carbon-carbon bond formation via a halocarbon complex, complex 1 regioselectively methylates 1-(N-pyrrolidino)cyclohexene producing 2-methylcyclohexanone in good yield, after hydrolysis. We also report the synthesis of a new haloarene complex and its equilibration with free iodomethane.