Reversible olefin-hydride insertion in the cationic ruthenium complexes [(η6-C6H5CH2CH2PR2)RuH(CH2=CH2)]+

Ruthenium-hydride olefin complexes having the formula [(eta(6)-C6H5CH2CH2PR2)RuH(CH2=CH2)][PF6], where R = Cy (1) and Ph (2), were prepared via the reaction of triphenylcarbenium. hexafluorophosphate (Ph3CPF6) with the corresponding (eta(6)-C6H5CH2CH2PR2)Ru(CH3)(2) complexes. Reversible olefin-hydride insertion reactions were directly observed for both 1 and 2 by 2D EXSY magnetic resonance experiments. The structure of complex 1 was determined by X-ray crystallography.