Abstract
The formation of a 1:1 π-complex between ethylene and ruthenium(II) in aqueous hydrochloric acid solution is described. The kinetics of the reaction were examined over a range of temperatures and of concentrations of ruthenium(II), ethylene, hydrogen ion, and chloride ion. The results suggest that complex formation proceeds through a stepwise (SN1) mechanism in which the initial step involves the dissociation of a chlororuthenate(II) complex.