Search

Reaction of RuCl2(PPh3)3 with LiNN′ (NN′ = 2-[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]pyrrolide) affords a single product, with the empirical formula RuCl[(2,6-iPr2C6H3)N=CHC4H3N](PPh3)2. We identify this species as a σ-pyrrolato complex, [Ru(NN′)(PPh3)2]2(μ-Cl)2 (3b), rather than mononuclear RuCl(NN′)(PPh3)2 (3a), on the basis of detailed 1D and 2D NMR characterization in solution and in the solid state. Retention of the chelating, σ-bound iminopyrrolato unit within 3b, despite the presence of labile (dative) chloride and PPh3 donors, indicates that the chelate effect is sufficient to inhibit σ → π isomerization of 3b to a piano-stool, π-pyrrolato structure. 2D COSY, SECSY, and J-resolved solid-state 31p NMR experiments confirm that the PPh3 ligands on each metal center are magnetically and crystallographically inequivalent, and 31p CP/MAS NMR experiments reveal the largest 99Ru-31P spin-spin coupling constant (¹J(99Ru,31P) = 244 ± 20 Hz) yet measured. Finally, 31P dipolar-chemical shift spectroscopy is applied to determine benchmark phosphorus chemical shift tensors for phosphine ligands in hexacoordinate ruthenium complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]