Structure and Reactivity of Bis(iminoxolene) Ruthenium Complexes

Redox-active iminoxolenes, the mono-aza analogues of dioxolenes, can undergo three formal oxidation states, from the fully reduced amidophenoxide, a radical anion iminosemiquinonate, to the neutral iminoquinone. The variability of these oxidation states arises from the redox-active orbital (RAO), which is close in energy to the 4d and 5d metals. Therefore, metal iminoxolene interaction is at its peak in group 8 of the periodic table, and provides an opportunity for compounds with unusual bonding and reactivity.