A new route to vinylcarbene metal complexes in one step from 2-propyn-1-ols and arene ruthenium(II) derivatives

Complex (C6Me6)RuCl2(PMe3)(1) reacts at room temperature with HCCCR2OH and NaPF6in methanol to produce either [(C6Me6)Ru{C(OMe)CH2CR2OMe} Cl(PMe3)]PF6(R = H), (2)]or [(C6Me6)Ru{C(OMe)CHCR2}]PF6(R ≠ H), (3)–(5)] derivatives via an allenylidene–ruthenium intermediate, electrochemical studies of (3)–(5) show a reversible RuIII/RuII oxidation process and irreversible oxidation of the double bond.