(OXO)(Phosphine)Ruthenium(IV) Complexes: Oxygen Atom Transfer in the Oxidation of Olefins, Sulfides, Sulfoxides, and Free Phosphines

Kinetic and mechanistic studies of the oxidation of olefins, sulfides, and sulfoxides by [RuIV(bpy)2(O)- (PR3)](ClO4)2 (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; R = ethyl or phenyl) complexes have been conducted in both methylene chloride and acetonitrile. In all cases, the rate law shows a first-order dependence on both the concentration of (oxo)ruthenium(IV) species and the target substrate. In addition, product distributions of substrate oxidation exhibit a strong dependence on both the particular phosphine ligand and the solvent utilized in the experiment. On the basis of labelling experimcnts and kinetic evidence, a mechanism is proposed involving a two-electron, oxygen atom insertion into the target substrate. Notably, an (oxidized substrate)ruthenium(II) complex has been isolated and characterized for the oxidation of styrene by the (oxo)(triethylphosphine)ruthenium(IV) complex, where a cyclic voltammogram of this complex displays one quasi-reversible Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple with an E1/2 = 1.24 V vs SSCE. Kinetic analysis of styrene oxidation indicates that the formation of benzaldehyde from styrene does not occur simply by two sequential two-electron steps. In this regard, alternative mechanisms are discussed.