Crystal structure and catalytic activity of ruthenium (II)/dithiocarbamate complexes in the epoxidation of cyclooctene

Syntheses, characterisations and catalytic epoxidation activities of dithiocarbamate complexes containing ruthenium were described. The epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene, using PhIO as primary oxidant, is shown to be dependent on the lability of biphosphine in the catalyst precursor, followed by its oxidation. The X-ray structures of [Ru(dppb)(pipeCS2)2] (1), [Ru(dppb)(morphCS2)2] (2) and [Ru(dppb)(ethCS2)2] (3) were determined.