title: C-N bond cleavage of anilines by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex.
abstract: We report experimental and computational studies of the facile oxidative C-N bond cleavage of anilines by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex. We provide evidence that the initial step involves nucleophilic attack of aniline at the nitrido ligand of the ruthenium complex, which is followed by proton and electron transfer to afford a (salen)ruthenium(II) diazonium intermediate. This intermediate then undergoes unimolecular decomposition to generate benzene and N2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Wai-Lun
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Man
authors.forename: Jianhui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: William W Y
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Hoi-Ki
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kwong
authors.forename: Kwok-Wa
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.forename: Shek-Man
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yiu
authors.forename: Kai-Chung
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Tai-Chu
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lau