Synthesis, characterization, and molecular structure of (eta5-cyclopentadienyl)(eta4-cyclopentadiene-1-one)ruthenium(II) complexes

The complexes RuIIICp(CPD)(CH3CN)+ and RuIICp(CPD)2(super 2+), where CPD = 2,4-cyclopentadiene-1-one were prepared and used as precursors to nucleophilic attack reactions. These complexes react with nucleophiles such as nitriles, pyridine, halides, thiourea, 4, 4-bipyridine, isocyanides and thioethers to yield mononuclear products of the form, RuIIICp(CPD)(nucleophile). The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of the products showed similar patterns for all the RuCp(CPD)+ moieties. The structure of the PF6- crystals of the Ru complexes are also discussed.