X-ray diffraction and NMR studies on a series of Binap-based Ru(II) hydroxyphosphine pi-arene complexes.

A series of new Ru(II) arene phosphine complexes derived from Binap have been prepared. Specifically, reaction of Ru(OAc)(2)(Binap) with 3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3))(4)B (BArF).H(OEt(2))(2), is shown to afford new mono- and dinuclear Ru(II) hydroxyphosphine pi-arene complexes via a series of P-C bond cleavage reactions. The dinuclear Ru(II) pi-arene complexes contain bridging P(O)(OH)(2) ligands. Crystal structures of five new complexes are reported and suggest an eta(4)-arene rather than an eta(6)-arene coordination mode. However, in solution, their (13)C NMR data are more consistent with a strongly distorted eta(6)-coordination mode. PGSE (1)H and (19)F diffusion measurements on the dinuclear complexes suggest hydrogen bonding of the triflate anion and ion-pairing of the BArF(-) anion.