Synthesis, structure and properties of cycloruthenated complexes:: crystal structure of mono-chloro-(η6-p-cymene)-{(phenylazo)phenyl} ruthenium(II)

Two cycloruthenated complexes of formulation [(eta(6)-p-cymene)RuCl(L)], where L = (phenylazo)phenyl (pap) (1a) and (4,4'-dimethyl)(phenylazo)phenyl (dmpap) (1b) were prepared from a transmetallation reaction involving [(eta(6)-p-cymene)RuCl2](2) and [HgCl(L)] in refluxing CHCl3 or MeOH. The molecular structure of [(eta(6)-p-cymene)RuCl(pap)] (1a) has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The complex contains a eta(6)-p-cymene group, a chloride and a bidentate C,N-donor orthometallated (phenylazo)phenyl ligand. The complexes have been characterized from NMR data. The orthometallated carbon appears near delta 188 ppm in the C-13-NMR in CDCl3. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.