Complexes containing phosphorus lignads—161

The complexes [MHCl(CO)(PPh3)3] (M = Ru or Os) readily undergo substitution at the site trans to the hydride ligand to afford phosphinite-, phosphonite-, or phosphite-containing products [MHCI(CO)(PPh3)2L] [L = P(OR)Ph2, P(OR)2Ph or P(OR)3 respectively; R = Me or Et]. The ruthenium complexes alone undergo further substitution to afford complex cations [RuH(CO)(PPh3)nL4−n]+ [n = 2, L = P(OMe)3; n = 1, L = P(OR)3; n = 0, L = P(OR)2Ph or P(OR)Ph2] which were isolated and characterised as their tetraphenylborate salts. Synthesis of the cationic complexes [IrHL5][BPh4]2 [L = P(OR)3, R = Me or Et] is also reported. Stereochemical assignments based on NMR data are given, and second order 31P and high field 1H NMR patterns are analysed.