Methyleneaminophosphine ligands R′C(Ph)N−PPh2 (R′ = H (1), Ph (4)) are unable to form tethered η6-arene-η1-P ruthenium(II) complexes 3 and 6 starting from their corresponding η1-P metallic precursors 2 and 5. In marked contrast, straightforward high-yield synthesis of tethered η6-arene-η1-P ruthenium(II) complexes 9a,b was achieved upon addition of methylenaminophosphine-type ligands i-Pr2N−C(Ph)N−PR2
7 (R = Ph (a), i-Pr (b)) on the ruthenium precursor [(p-cymene)RuCl2]2 at 80 °C. We have observed by X-ray crystallographic analyses the unprecedented structural adaptive behavior of the N-phosphino amidine ligands 7a,b upon the untethered η1-P
8a,b or tethered η6-arene-η1-P
9a,b coordination mode in ruthenium(II) complexes. The imino nitrogen atom of the amidine moiety in 7a,b behaves as a “universal joint”. In order to minimize the steric hindrance in the second coordination sphere of complexes 8a,b, the value of the C1−N1−P1 bond angle of the amidine moiety widened from 119−122° in 7a,b to 133°, which corresponds to a dramatic change in the geometry of the N-phosphino amidine ligands. Moreover, in order to reduce the strain induced by the tethered coordination mode, the value of the C1−N1−P1 bond angle in the amidine moiety in ruthenium(II) complexes 9a,b decreases to 116°. DFT calculations have been carried out in order to gain more insight into the structural and electronic properties of the methylenaminophosphine ligands R′-C(Ph)N-PPh2 as well as the tethered and untethered ruthenium complexes. Moreover, the reaction feasability has also been theoretically discussed.
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