REACTIONS OF (ETA-6-ARENE)(ETA-6-[2.2]PARACYCLOPHANE)RUTHENIUM(II) COMPLEXES WITH NUCLEOPHILES

Single addition of the nucleophiles X- = H-, CN- or OH- to (eta-6-arene)(eta-6-[2.2]paracyclophane)ruthenium(II) tetrafluoroborate (arene = benzene, p-cymene, 1,4-diisopropylbenzene or hexamethylbenzene) and the osmium(II) eta-6-C6H6 analogue produces the (eta-5-cyclohexadienyl)(eta-6-[2.2]paracyclophane)metal(II) complexes as the sole products. These compounds have been identified by H-1 NMR and by infrared spectroscopy. The expected isotope shift is observed when Na[BD4] is used in place of Na[BH4]. The steric factors influencing the site of nucleophilic attack are discussed and nucleophilic addition to [Ru(eta-6-C16H16)2] [BF4]2 is also examined.