X-ray Structure and Reactivity of (η4-tetraphenylcyclopentadienone)(CO)2Ru(HOCHMe2): Unexpected Stability of the Neutral 2-Propanol−Ruthenium(0) Complex with Respect to β-Hydride Elimination

A neutral Ru(0)−alcohol complex, (η 4 -C 4 Ph 4 CO)(CO) 2 Ru(HOCHMe 2 ) ( 7 ), was obtained by treating an acetone solution of (η 4 -C 4 Ph 4 CO)Ru(CO) 3 ( 6 ) with aqueous Na 2 CO 3 at room temperature, followed by acidification with aqueous NH 4 Cl at 0 °C. Complex 7 is stable even at 90 °C in toluene and showed catalytic activities in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in 2-propanol and the racemization of optically active 1-phenylethanol.