Synthesis, X-ray studies, and catalytic allylic amination reactions with ruthenium(IV) allyl carbonate complexes

Results from selected ruthenium-catalyzed allylic amination reactions, using a carbonate Ru-Cp* (or Cp) allyl cationic precursor, are reported. With a phenyl-substituted allyl substrate as the starting material, the rates of the amination reactions, as well as the regioselectivity, are shown to depend on the structure of the allyl substrate, the amine nucleophile, and the solvent. Two new Ru-allyl carbonate complexes are reported, as well as the solid-state structure for the new carbonate salt [Ru(Cp)(O2C{OBu'})(eta(3)-PhCHCHCH2)](PF6). A number of aniline- and substrate-related Cp* and Cp eta(6)-arene complexes of Ru(II) are described.