Cleavage of Nitrogen–Hydrogen Bonds of Ammonia Induced by Triruthenium Polyhydrido Clusters

More cleavage: The complex [(Cp*Ru)3(μ3-H)2(μ-H)3] (Cp*=η5-C5Me5) promotes NH bond cleavage of ammonia to yield the mono-μ3-imido complex [(Cp*Ru)3(μ3-NH)(μ-H)3] (2), probably via μ-amido complex [(Cp*Ru)3(μ-NH2)(μ-H)4]. Introduction of a triply bridging oxo ligand into the Ru3 core (→1) makes the reaction kinetically and thermodynamically favorable and gives 2 within 1 h at 80 °C.