Crystal structures of [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(H2O)](PF6)2 and [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(2-picoline)](PF6) and the kinetics studies of the aqua ligand substitution by pyridine and substituted pyridines

The crystal structures of Ru(terpy)(HPB)(H₂O)](PF₆)₂, 1, and Ru(terpy)(HPB)(2-picoline)](PF₆), 2, (where terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine and HPB = 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-benzoxazole) have been determined. Both structures show slightly distorted octahedral coordination around the ruthenium center. In complex 1, the imine nitrogen of the HPB ligand occupies an axial position and is trans to the aqua ligand whereas in complex 2, the imine nitrogen is trans to the nitrogen of the 2-picoline ligand. The Ru-N(2-picoline) bond distance is much longer than the other Ru-N bonds in the complex due to steric effects from the methyl group of 2-picoline. In both complexes, the phenolate oxygen of the HPB ligand is in the equatorial position and trans to the center nitrogen of the terpyridine. The reaction of Ru(terpy)(HPB)(H₂O)](PF₆)2 with pyridine and its analogs, 2-picoline and 4-picoline in dichloromethane was monitored spectrophotometrically. There is an initial reduction of the Ru(III)-H₂O] complex to Ru(II)-H₂O] complex prior to the substitution of the aqua ligand. The values of the activation parameters indicate that the substitution of the aqua ligand by pyridine, 2-picoline and 4-picoline follow an associative mechanism.