in benzene-d6 byproducts: 1,5-COD; placing of Ru(COD)(CN(t-Bu))3 in NMR tube; introduction of 10 equiv. excess of tert-butylisonitrile and C6D6; warming at 70°C for 2 days; monitoring by NMR;

in toluene byproducts: 1,5-COD, 1,3,5-COT; (N2); using Schlenk techniques; dissolving of Ru(COT)(COD) in toluene, addn. of tert-butylisonitrile; stirring at 50.degre.C for 55 h; removal of all volatile materials under reduced pressure, extn. with a mixt. of acetone and hexane, fractional crystn.;

in tetrahydrofuran N2 atmosphere; addn. of Ru-complex to Na-amalgam and t-BuCN (-50°C), warming to room temp., stirring (48 h); evapn. in vacuo, extn. (hexane), crystn. (-18°C); elem. anal.;