Heteroleptic Ruthenium p-Cymene Amidinate Complexes─A Synthetic Endeavor to Unearth Precursors for Ru Thin Films

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Jorit Obenlüneschloß - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Jacqueline Klimars - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Ilamparithy Selvakumar - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Bert Mallick - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Marcel Schmickler - , Ruhr University Bochum, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Martin Wilken - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Detlef Rogalla - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Michael Gock - , Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG (Author)
  • Michael Unkrig-Bau - , Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG (Author)
  • Jan Niklas Huster - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Anjana Devi - , Chair of Materials Chemistry (gB/IFW), Ruhr University Bochum, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (Author)

Abstract

Interest in small ruthenium coordination complexes is at an all-time high. They can find use as catalysts, in optoelectronics, and as precursor compounds for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques. In this study, we introduce ten new Ru complexes synthesized from the versatile (p-cymene)ruthenium(II) chloride dimer, featuring 1,3-N-coordinating amidinate-type ligands and either methyl or acetate coligands. All compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR), liquid injection field desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LIFDI-MS), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), which confirmed the structures of the chloride and acetate derivatives, allowing for assessment of their intermolecular interactions. Thermogravimetry (TG) revealed that the methyl-substituted complexes exhibit favorable one-step evaporation, rendering them promising candidates for vapor-phase deposition. Finally, the ease of synthesis, combined with good volatility, prompted us to select Ru p-cymene diacetate for proof-of-principle metal–organic CVD of Ru metal in a single-source route, as well as using either oxygen or ammonia as a coreactant. This work highlights the synthetic versatility of the Ru(II) p-cymene motif and its potential for CVD applications.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)21903-21918
Number of pages16
JournalInorganic chemistry
Volume64
Issue number44
Publication statusPublished - 10 Nov 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 41105210