[wasere]

Can someone explain what RuH2(PPh3)4 is and how one acquires RuH2(PPh3)4?

[ARGOS++]

Dear Wasere,

Your Compound is a Me-Complex between Ruthenium and Triphenylphosphin (= PPh3).
Ask Google using your chem. Formula and you will get a few answers!


Good Luck!
                    ARGOS⁺⁺

[D|0XIN]

Hi,

Its called (someone correct me if I'm wrong):

Dihydride-tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II)
or: dihydrido-tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II)
(someone correct me if I'm wrong)

It is used for the migratory insertion of hydride (H^-) - reduction - and may be used to reduce alkenes to alkanes for example. I think I used or made it in the inorganic laboratory at university last year and could check my notes if you really need me to. I think it has to be made in the lab, but I could be wrong.

[AWK]

http://www.3dchem.com/inorganicmolecule.asp?id=630
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/mamobx/1999/32/i20/abs/ma990670t.html
http://chem.ncue.edu.tw/leehm/teaching/92.2/Advanced%20Inorganic%20Chemistry/Synthesis%20of%20Organometallic%20Compounds.ppt

[D|0XIN]

I found these places that supply RuH₂(PPh₃)₄ using google:

http://www.americanelements.com/rudttp.html

http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/search/ProductDetail/ALDRICH/335037

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roper%27s_complex

Obviously its very expensive due to Ruthenium's rare-earth element status! You may even be able to find a catalytic cycle where it is used and recovered catalytically so that you can continue to use the small amount you purchase, I'm not entirely sure though.