Reactions of indenyl-functionalized imidazolium salts and N-heterocyclic carbenes with Ru(3)(CO)(12).

Thermal treatment of indenyl-functionalized imidazolium salts and N-heterocyclic carbenes with Ru3(CO)12 gave different products. The normal mononuclear metal complexes (2a, 2b) were obtained via direct reaction of indenyl-functionalized imidazolium salts (1a, 1b) with Ru3(CO)12. Unexpected intramolecular C-H activated products (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) were obtained via thermal treatment of corresponding indenyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes. All complexes were determined by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR spectra and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 2b, 3a, 3b and 4b were determined by X-ray diffraction.