Solid State Isomerization

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 13 Issue 3 (2008) pp 158-160

Solid State Isomerization

David E. Berry* and Kelli L. Fawkes

Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, V8W 3V6, berryde@uvic.ca, fawkesk@uvic.ca
Received June 20, 2007. Accepted December 27, 2007.

Published online: 1 June 2008

Abstract. A two-step synthesis of trans,trans,trans-[RuCl₂(CNBu^t)₂(PPh₃)₂] is described in which the first step uses a microwave reflux to make [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] and the second step is the room temperature addition of t-butylisocyanide to a solution of the isolated [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃]. The final product is isomerized to the cis,cis,trans-isomer in the solid state. The progression of this reaction at a fixed temperature within the 140 °C–150 °C range can be monitored by solution ¹H NMR spectroscopy.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; organometallic chemistry; isomerization; solid state reactions; green chemistry; reaction kinetics

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: fawkesk@uvic.ca)

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Supporting Materials:

An example procedure as written for an undergraduate student is given. Notes for the instructor are obtainable from either of the authors. (42 KB).