Alkyne insertion reactions of [RuH(κ2-S2CNEt2)(CO)(PPh3)2]: synthesis of alkenyl, alkynyl and enynyl complexes

The diethyldithiocarbamate hydride ruthenium complex [RuH(κ2-S2CNEt2)(CO)(PPh3)2] reacts with excess phenylacetylene to give the alkynyl complex [Ru(CCPh)(κ2-S2CNEt2)(CO)(PPh3)2] via the intermediate alkenyl complex [Ru(CHCHPh)(κ2-S2CNEt2)(CO)(PPh3)2] and with 1,4-diphenylbutadiyne to give the enynyl complex [Ru{η1-C(CCPh)CHPh}(κ2-S2CNEt2)(CO)(PPh3)2]. The alkenyl complex [Ru(CHCHPh)(κ2-S2CNEt2)(CO)(PPh3)2] is a convenient precursor for alkynyl complexes of the type [Ru(CCR)(κ2-S2CNEt2)(CO)(PPh3)2] (R=aryl, alkyl, C6H4-4-CCH).