(Arene)ruthenium Complexes with Imidazolin‐2‐imine and Imidazolidin‐2‐imine Ligands

Imidazolin‐2‐imine and imidazolidin‐2‐imine ligands are versatile N donors in transition metal chemistry. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of (arene)Ru complexes with these ligands. Simple adducts of the type [(p‐cymene)Ru(L)Cl2] (L = 1,3‐diarylimidazolin‐2‐imine or 1,3‐dimesitylimidalzolidin‐2‐imine) can be converted into complexes in which the imines act as π ligands with tethered imine groups. Furthermore, the high basicity of the N donor group can promote self‐activation of the (arene)Ru complexes.