Interconversion of η³-H₂SiRR′ σ-Complexes and 16-Electron Silylene Complexes via Reversible H–H or C–H Elimination

Solid samples of η(3)-silane complexes [PhBP(Ph)3]RuH(η(3)-H2SiRR') (R,R' = Et2, 1a; PhMe, 1b; Ph2, 1c, MeMes, 1d) decompose when exposed to dynamic vacuum. Gas-phase H2/D2 exchange between isolated, solid samples of 1c-d3 and 1c indicate that a reversible elimination of H2 is the first step in the irreversible decomposition. An efficient solution-phase trap for hydrogen, the 16-electron ruthenium benzyl complex [PhBP(Ph)3]Ru[η(3)-CH2(3,5-Me2C6H3)] (3) reacts quantitatively with H2 in benzene via elimination of mesitylene to form the η(5)-cyclohexadienyl complex [PhBP(Ph)3]Ru(η(5)-C6H7) (4). This H2 trapping reaction was utilized to drive forward and quantify the elimination of H2 from 1b,d in solution, which resulted in the decomposition of 1b,d to form 4 and several organosilicon products that could not be identified. Reaction of {[PhBP(Ph)3]Ru(μ-Cl)}2 (2) with (THF)2Li(SiHMes2) forms a new η(3)-H2Si species [PhBP(Ph)3]Ru[CH2(2-(η(3)-H2SiMes)-3,5-Me2C6H2)] (5) which reacts with H2 to form the η(3)-H2SiMes2 complex [PhBP(Ph)3]RuH(η(3)-H2SiMes2) (1e). Complex 1e was identified by NMR spectroscopy prior to its decomposition by elimination of Mes2SiH2 to form 4. DFT calculations indicate that an isomer of 5, the 16-electron silylene complex [PhBP(Ph)3]Ru(μ-H)(═SiMes2), is only 2 kcal/mol higher in energy than 5. Treatment of 5 with XylNC (Xyl = 2,6-dimethylphenyl) resulted in trapping of [PhBP(Ph)3]Ru(μ-H)(═SiMes2) to form the 18-electron silylene complex [PhBP(Ph)3]Ru(CNXyl)(μ-H)(═SiMes2) (6). A closely related germylene complex [PhBP(Ph)3]Ru[CN(2,6-diphenyl-4-MeC6H2)](H)(═GeH(t)Bu) (8) was prepared from reaction of (t)BuGeH3 with the benzyl complex [PhBP(Ph)3]Ru[CN(2,6-diphenyl-4-MeC6H2)][η(1)-CH2(3,5-Me2C6H3)] (7). Single crystal XRD analysis indicated that unlike for 6, the hydride ligand in 8 is a terminal hydride that does not engage in 3c-2e Ru-H → Ge bonding. Complex 1b is an effective precatalyst for the catalytic Ge-H dehydrocoupling of (t)BuGeH3 to form ((t)BuGeH2)2 (85% yield) and H2.