Structure, dynamic behavior, and catalytic activity of a novel ruthenium cyclopentadienyl complex with a tridentate P,P,O ligand

Reaction of 1,2-bis(bis(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphino)ethane (o-Me'O-dppe) with []?,uClCpWhAl (1) at 135 degreesC results in the formation of (eta(5)-cycloppntadienyl)[1-(bis(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphino-kP)-2-((o-methoxyphenyl)(o-phenolato-kO-)phosphino-kP)ethane]ruthernium- (II) ([RuCp(tappe)]; 3), which constitutes the first. example- of a ruthenium cyclopentadienyl complex with a tridentate P,P,O ligand. The X-ray structure of 3 has been determined to elucidate its solid-state structure, which shows evidence for a CH/pi interaction. An NMR study corroborates this finding, and temperature-dependent P-31 and H-1 NMR spectra reveal the dynamic behavior of 3 in solution. Complex 3 shows catalytic activity. in the isomerizahon of allylic alcohols to carbonyl compounds.