MeO-Biphep as an Eight-Electron Donor to Ruthenium(II). Chiral Dialkyl Complexes with an Unprecedented Binding Mode

The chiral bis(3,5-di- tert -butylphenyl)phosphino MeO-Biphep complex Ru(OAc) 2 ( 1a ), with two complexed P donors, reacts with MeLi to give Ru(Me) 2 ( 1a ), in which only one P atom is coordinated together with an arene η 6 -C 6 H 3 moiety derived from one of the biaryl rings. This is an unprecedented binding mode for this type of chiral complex.