Triaminocyclopentadienyl Ruthenium Complexes - New Catalysts for Cascade Conversions of Propargyl Alcohols.

Various triaminocyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes have been synthesized from Ru3 (CO)12 . The new complexes were tested for their ability to catalyze cascade conversions of propargyl alcohols. Their associated catalytic activities complement the activities of known diaminocyclopentadienone ruthenium complexes. In particular, the substrate scope of catalytic cycloadditions with 3-ketolactones or phloroglucinol derivatives is extended to terpenoid-derived propargyl alcohols containing an internal alkyne moiety. A wide range of cyclic terpenoid and phloroglucinol adducts are obtained by complementary application of both types of catalysts.