Synthesis and reactivity of the octahedral d6 parent amido complexes TpRu(L)(L′)(NH2) (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate; L = L′ PMe3, P(OMe)3; L = CO, L′ PPh3) and [TpRu(PPh3)(NH2)2][Li]

A series of octahedral ruthenium (II) parent amido complexes of the type TpRu(L)(L')(NH2) (L/L' = neutral and two-electron-donor ligands) and [TpRu-(PPh3)(NH2)(2)][Li] (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) have been prepared. Preliminary reactivity studies indicate that the amido moieties are highly basic: for example, TpRu(L)(L')(NH2) complexes deprtonate phenylacetylene at room temperature to form [TpRu(L)(L')(NH3)][PhC2] ion pairs, as determined by H-1 NMR spectroscopy.