Proton sponges arene

In a reaction that similarly relies on the acidity of benzylic protons in arene-ruthenium(II) complexes, the r 6-mesitylene complex 92 containing bidentate (C6F5)2PCH2CH2P(C6F5)2 loses two molecules of HF on treatment with proton sponge to give the di-strapped salt 93 in which each tether contains three carbon atoms [Eq. (18)]).83... 

TABLE 16. Ionization constants, p A a, of proton sponges without substituents in the arene moiety... 

---