Synthesis of the half-sandwich ruthenium complexes [Cp*RuL3]+ via naphthalene replacement in [Cp*Ru(C10H8)]+

The cation [Cp*Ru(C₁₀H₈)]⁺ exchanges naphthalene for various ligands under near-UV (365nm) or visible light irradiation giving the half-sandwich complexes [Cp*RuL₃]⁺ [L = P(OMe)₃, 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane, Bu^tNC], [Cp*Ru(dppe)(MeCN)]⁺, Cp*Ru(CO)₂Cl, Cp*Ru[tris(pyrazolyl)borate] and [Cp*Ru(C₆H₆)]⁺ in 80–95% yields.