Alkene Isomerisation Catalysed by a Ruthenium PNN Pincer Complex.

The [Ru(CO)H(PNN)] pincer complex based on a dearomatised PNN ligand (PNN: 2-di- tert-butylphosphinomethyl-6-diethylaminomethylpyridine) was examined for its ability to isomerise alkenes. The isomerisation reaction proceeded under mild conditions after activation of the complex with alcohols. Variable-temperature (VT) NMR experiments to investigate the role of the alcohol in the mechanism lend credence to the hypothesis that the first step involves the formation of a rearomatised alkoxide complex. In this complex, the hemilabile diethylamino side-arm can dissociate, allowing alkene binding cis to the hydride, enabling insertion of the alkene into the metal-hydride bond, whereas in the parent complex only trans binding is possible. During this study, a new uncommon Ru0 coordination complex was also characterised. The scope of the alkene isomerisation reaction was examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]