N-C bond formation of NO ligands on ruthenium complexes with concurrent vinylic C-H activation and subsequent proton-induced reactivities of the resulting nitrosovinyl species.

The N-C coupling of ligating NO with 2-vinylpyridines, affording nitrosovinyl complexes, was found. This is of significance since the reaction process involves a C-H activation of the vinyl moiety and subsequent C-N bond formation. Furthermore, we show that the resulting nitrosovinyl complexes are chemically versatile and potentially valuable species. Protonation of the resulting nitrosovinyl complexes in refluxing alcohol afforded the alcohol-incorporated complexes, as well as the ketoimine species. It is interesting to note that a proton-induced reaction with PPh3 trapped their intermediates, leading to the explication of these reaction mechanisms.