The complexes TpRu{P(OCH 2 ) 3 CEt}(L)R {L ) PPh 3 or NCMe; R ) Cl, OTf (OTf ) trifluoromethanesulfonate), or Ph; Tp ) hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate} and TpRu{P(OCH 2 ) 3 CEt}(η 3 -C 3 H 4 Me) were synthesized and isolated. TpRu{P(OCH 2 ) 3 CEt}(NCMe)Ph was found to initiate C-H activation of benzene and to catalyze the hydrophenylation of ethylene to produce ethylbenzene. Ethylene C-H activation to ultimately produce TpRu{P(OCH 2 ) 3 CEt}(η 3 -C 3 H 4 Me) kinetically competes with the catalytic hydrophenylation of ethylene. Computational studies were undertaken on reactions in the proposed catalytic ethylene hydrophenylation cycle as well as key side reactions.