Formation and Structure of an (Iminium ion)ruthenium Complex and Reaction of the Iminium Ion Moiety with Alcohols

The (iminium ion)ruthenium(II) complex mer(Cl,Cl,Cl)-[RuCl3{η2-NCHCH2py(C2H4py)C2H5}] was synthesized via a C−H activation of the bridging ethyl group of an ethylbis(2-pyridylethyl)amine ligand and characterized by X-ray structural analysis. Oxidations of alcohols by the (iminium ion)ruthenium(II) complex occurred with generation of mer-[RuIIICl3(ebpea)].