The synthesis of 3,3,3-(Ph2P)3CH-closo-3,1,2-RuC2B9H11, a novel ruthenacarborane complex with a chelate tridentate ligand

Abstract

A closo-metallacarborane complex of ruthenium(_ii), 3,3,3-(Ph₂P)₃CH-closo-3,1,2-Ru-C₂B₉H₁₁, is synthesized and structurally characterized. It is the first example of the metallacarborane clusters with chelate tridentate phosphine ligands. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out to evaluate the possibility of dissociation of one of the Ru-P bonds in this molecule with formation of reactive 16-electron species. According to the cyclic voltammetry study, the complex undergoes irreversible oxidation.