In general, aromaticity can be clarified as π- and σ-aromaticity according to the type of electrons with major contributions. The traditional π-aromaticity generally describes the π-conjugation in fully unsaturated rings whereas σ-aromaticity may stabilize fully saturated rings with delocalization caused by σ-electron conjugation. Reported herein is an example of σ-aromaticity in an unsaturated three-membered ring (3 MR), which is supported by experimental observations and theoretical calculations.

Treatment of [PdI(Ph)(PPh3)]2 with allenes CH2═C═CHR (R = CMe3, CO2Et, P(O)(OEt)2, and SO2Ph) in dichloromethane at room temperature produces a mixture of cis and trans isomers of the π-allyl palladium complexes PdI(η3-CH2C(Ph)CHR)(PPh3) in which the R group is anti to the Ph group. The disubstituted allenes MeCH═C═CHR (R = P(O)(OEt)2 and SO2Ph) similarly react with [PdI(Ph)(PPh3)]2 to give the π-allyl palladium complexes PdI(η3-MeCHC(Ph)CHR)(PPh3) in which the R group is anti and the Me group is syn to the Ph group.

Treatment of RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)(3) with CH2=C=CHCO2Me gives the allyl complex Ru(77 3 -CH2CHCHCO2Me)CI(CO)(PPh3)(2). The analogous allyl complexes Os(eta(3)-CH2CHCHR)Cl(CO)(PPh3)(2) (R = Ph, CH2Ph) are also produced from the reactions of OsHCI(CO)(PPh3)(3) with CH2=C=CHR. In contrast, MHCl(PPh3)(3) (M = Ru, Os) react with CH2=C=CHR to give the vinyl complexes MCl((C(CH3)=CHR)(CH2 C=CHR)(PPh3)(2) (M = Ru, R = CMe3, M = Os, R = CMe3, Ph, CO2Et).

Formal [2+2+2] addition reactions of the NBD ligand in [Cp*Ru(H2O)(NBD)]BF4 (NBD = norbornadiene) with H-2, Ph3SiH, ArCH=C=CH2, and RC=-CPh were observed. In contrast, olefins such as styrene and NBD do not undergo similar [2+2+2] addition reactions with [Cp*Ru(H2O)(NBD)]BF4. [Cp*Ru(H2O)(NBD)]BF4 reacts with H-2 in benzene to give [Cp*Ru(eta(6)-C6H6)]BF4 and nortricyclene. Similarly, [Cp*Ru(H2O)(NBD)]BF4 reacts with Ph3SiH to give [Cp*Ru(eta(6)-C6H5SiPh2OH)]BF4 and nortricyclene.

Treatment of OsHCl(PPh3)(3) with allenes CH2=C=CHR at room temperature in benzene produced the vinyl complexes OsCl(C(CH3)=CHR)(CH2=C=CHR)-(PPh3)(2), instead of eta(3)-allyl complexes as normally observed. DFT calculations show that the formation of the vinyl complex is favored kinetically.