C–N Bond Cleavage of Anilines by a (Salen)ruthenium(VI) Nitrido Complex

We report experimental
and computational studies of the facile
oxidative C–N bond cleavage of anilines by a (salen)­ruthenium­(VI)
nitrido complex. We provide evidence that the initial step involves
nucleophilic attack of aniline at the nitrido ligand of the ruthenium
complex, which is followed by proton and electron transfer to afford
a (salen)­ruthenium­(II) diazonium intermediate. This intermediate then
undergoes unimolecular decomposition to generate benzene and N2.