Ruthenium(III) acetylacetonate is a

coordination complex A coordination complex consists of a central atom or ion, which is usually metallic and is called the ''coordination centre'', and a surrounding array of bound molecules or ions, that are in turn known as ''ligands'' or complexing agents. Many ...

with the formula Ru(O₂C₅H₇)₃. O₂C₅H₇⁻ is the ligand called

acetylacetonate Acetylacetone is an organic compound with the chemical formula . It is a colorless liquid, classified as a 1,3-diketone. It exists in equilibrium with a tautomer . These tautomers interconvert so rapidly under most conditions that they are tre ...

. This compound exists as a dark violet solid that is soluble in most organic solvents. It is used as a precursor to other compounds of ruthenium.

Preparation

In 1914 tris(acetylacetonato)ruthenium (III) was first prepared by the reaction of

ruthenium(III) chloride Ruthenium(III) chloride is the chemical compound with the formula RuCl3. "Ruthenium(III) chloride" more commonly refers to the hydrate RuCl3·''x''H2O. Both the anhydrous and hydrated species are dark brown or black solids. The hydrate, with a va ...

and

acetylacetone Acetylacetone is an organic compound with the chemical formula . It is a colorless liquid, classified as a 1,3-diketone. It exists in equilibrium with a tautomer . These tautomers interconvert so rapidly under most conditions that they are tre ...

in the presence of potassium bicarbonate. Since then, alternative synthetic routes have been examined, but the original procedure remains useful with minor variations: :RuCl₃•3H₂O + MeCOCH₂COMe → Ru(acac)₃ + 3 HCl + 3 H₂O

Structure and properties

This compound has idealized D₃ symmetry. Six oxygen atoms surround the central ruthenium atom in an octahedral arrangement. The average Ru-O bond length in Ru(acac)₃ is 2.00 Å. Because Ru(acac)₃ is low spin, there is one unpaired ''d'' electron, causing this compound to be paramagnetic. Ru(acac)₃ has a magnetic susceptibility, χ_M, of 3.032×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol with an effective magnetic moment, μ_eff, of 1.66 μ_B. As a solution in

dimethylformamide Dimethylformamide is an organic compound with the formula ( CH3)2NC(O)H. Commonly abbreviated as DMF (although this initialism is sometimes used for dimethylfuran, or dimethyl fumarate), this colourless liquid is miscible with water and the majo ...

, the compound oxidizes at 0.593 and reduces at -1.223 V vs the

ferrocene Ferrocene is an organometallic compound with the formula . The molecule is a complex consisting of two cyclopentadienyl rings bound to a central iron atom. It is an orange solid with a camphor-like odor, that sublimes above room temperature, a ...

/ ferrocenium couple. Reduction of Ru(acac)₃ in the presence of

alkenes In organic chemistry, an alkene is a hydrocarbon containing a carbon–carbon double bond. Alkene is often used as synonym of olefin, that is, any hydrocarbon containing one or more double bonds.H. Stephen Stoker (2015): General, Organic, an ...

affords the related diolefin complexes. Typically, such reactions are conducted with

zinc Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. Zinc is a slightly brittle metal at room temperature and has a shiny-greyish appearance when oxidation is removed. It is the first element in group 12 (IIB) of the periodi ...

amalgam Amalgam most commonly refers to: * Amalgam (chemistry), mercury alloy * Amalgam (dentistry), material of silver tooth fillings ** Bonded amalgam, used in dentistry Amalgam may also refer to: * Amalgam Comics, a publisher * Amalgam Digital, an in ...

in moist

tetrahydrofuran Tetrahydrofuran (THF), or oxolane, is an organic compound with the formula (CH2)4O. The compound is classified as heterocyclic compound, specifically a cyclic ether. It is a colorless, water-miscible organic liquid with low viscosity. It is ma ...

: :2 Ru(acac)₃ + 4 alkene + Zn → 2 Ru(acac)₂(alkene)₂ + Zn(acac)₂ The resulting compounds are rare examples of metal-alkene complexes that reversibly sustain oxidation: :Ru(acac)₂(alkene)₂ u(acac)₂(alkene)₂sup>+ + e⁻ The complex has been resolved into individual

enantiomer In chemistry, an enantiomer ( /ɪˈnænti.əmər, ɛ-, -oʊ-/ ''ih-NAN-tee-ə-mər''; from Ancient Greek ἐνάντιος ''(enántios)'' 'opposite', and μέρος ''(méros)'' 'part') – also called optical isomer, antipode, or optical ant ...

s by separation of its adduct with dibenzoyltartaric acid.

References

{{Acetylacetonate complexes Ruthenium complexes Acetylacetonate complexes Ruthenium(III) compounds