Synthesis of diruthenium tetrahydrido complexes 1 with
substituted cyclopentadienyls from readily available ruthenium
η3-allyl complexes 3 has been attained by LiEt3BH-mediated
reaction followed by conventional protonolysis. Complexes 1d
and 1e having 1,2,4-tri- and 1,3-di-tert-butylated cyclopentadienyls
obtained by this protocol have sufficient thermal stability
in addition to the significant lability of the RuH
bonds.