Synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of Cp*Ru(N-phosphinoamidinate) complexes

We report herein on the synthesis and spectroscopic/crystallographic characterization of the first isolable, formally 16-electron Cp*Ru(kappa(2)-P similar to N) species, which are supported by N-phosphinoamidinate ligands. Despite the stability of such complexes, they have been shown to readily coordinate two-electron (L) donors including carbon monoxide and 2,6-xylylisocyanide, affording crystallographically characterized 18-electron Cp*Ru(L)(kappa(2)-P similar to N) adducts. Preliminary reactivity studies confirm that such complexes are capable of extruding hydrogen from ammonia borane.