Abstract
The reactivity and catalysis at axial sites of [Ru-Ru] bonded compounds are described. Effect of axial donor at axial site of a [Ru-Ru] single bond, having electronic configuration sigma(2)pi(4)delta(2)delta*(2)delta*(4), is examined. It is shown that the stronger donor leads to longer metal-metal distances. The C-H bond activation and C-C bond formation are studied at axial site of a [Ru-2(CO)(4)](2+) core. Metal-metal and metal-ligand cooperation is exploited for catalytic alcohol dehydrogenation to aldehyde and subsequent coupling with amine to access imine selectively. Catalytic carbene transfer reactions are discussed for a wide range of diruthenium(I, I) compounds. Catalytic utility of metal-metal multiply bonded diruthenium(II, III) compounds for C-H amination reaction is also discussed.