Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic behaviour of a dimeric ruthenium(II) methoxydiphenylphosphane complex

Reaction of dichlorotetrakis(dmso)ruthenium(II) with methoxydiphenylphosphane in refluxing methanol gave dichlorotris-(methoxydiphenylphosphane)ruthenium(II) which dimerizes. The structure of the dimer was established by NMR and X-ray diffraction analyses; this ruthenium complex catalyzed the oxidation of alcohols by N-methylmorpholine oxide.