Application of scanning calorimetry to estimate soil organic matter loss after fires

The severe heating of soil during wildfires and prescribed burns may result in adverse effects on soil fertility due to organic matter loss. No rapid and reliable procedure exists to evaluate soil organic matter (SOM) losses due to heating. Enthalpy of SOM combustion correlates with organic matter content. Quartz is a ubiquitous mineral in soils and has a remarkably constant composition and reversible α–β phase transition at 575 °C. We suggest that SOM content in heated and unheated soils can be compared using the ratio of SOM combustion enthalpy on heating to the β–α quartz transition enthalpy measured on cooling of the same sample. This eliminates the need to dry and weigh the samples, making possible field applications of the proposed method. The feasibility of using the (ΔH _{comb SOM})/(ΔH _β–α Qz) ratio was established with experiments on soil samples heated in the laboratory and the method was then used for evaluation of SOM loss on two pile burn sites at UC Berkeley’s Blodgett Forest Research Station in Georgetown, California.     

Toxic elements content in PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> samples from a coastal area of the Northern Adriatic Sea

PM₁₀ samples were collected during winter and summer seasons at two different sites in the area of Trieste (Italy). The content of As, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and V in the PM₁₀ samples was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, with the purpose of evaluating the relevance of PM₁₀ inhalation as a route of human exposure to these elements. The results showed that the ambient air concentration of the aforementioned elements were below the limits or target values for both sites and season. Site and season-specific correlation analysis was conducted for the identification of metals with similar origin: very good correlation for the couple Ni-V was found in both sites and seasons, showing the influence of combustion of heavy oils in PM₁₀ composition. The inter-site and seasonal variability of both PM₁₀ and metal concentrations were examined. A stronger impact by the vehicular traffic on the PM₁₀ and metal concentrations was found for the urban site in both seasons. Because of the great importance of the “Bora” wind on the local climate, variability of PM₁₀ and toxic elements concentration with wind were analysed, allowing determination of the effect of wind on dilution of the pollutants for the urban site during both seasons.      

Recent trends of plutonium fallout observed in Japan: Comparison with natural lithogenic radionuclides, thorium isotopes

PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ samples were simultaneously collected monthly at a downtown site in Beijing from May 2002 to April 2003 and analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) combined with organic solvent extraction method for the concentrations and distributions of extractable organohalogens (EOX), including extractable organochlorinated (EOCl), organobrominated (EOBr) and organoiodinated compounds (EOI). The concentrations of EOCl, EOBr and EOI were 10.5–79.2 ng/m³, ND-8.2 ng/m³ and 1.6–8.2 ng/m³ in PM_2.5, respectively, and 37.0–73.3 ng/m³, 1.6–12.8 ng/m³ and 1.6–8.5 ng/m³ in PM₁₀, respectively, which were increasing in the order of EOCl≫EOBr∼EOI. EOCl accounted for 73–88% and 69–91% of EOX in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, respectively, which showed that EOCl was the major component of the organohalogens. There was a significant difference of EOCl concentrations in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in different seasons, which suggested that the concentrations of EOCl in the atmosphere were significantly affected by the meteorologic conditions and anthropogenic activities.     

Selective accurate-mass-based analysis of 11 oxy-PAHs on atmospheric particulate matter by pressurized liquid extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography and magnetic sector mass spectrometry

An innovative analytical method based on high-performance liquid chromatography and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization magnetic sector mass spectrometry was developed and optimized to determine trace concentrations of 11 compounds belonging to the group of the seldom-analyzed oxy-PAHs (phenanthrene-9,10-dione, chrysene-5,6-dione, benzo[a]pyrene-4,5-dione, benzo[a]pyrene-1,6-dione, benzo[a]pyrene-3,6-dione, benzo[a]pyrene-6,12-dione, 4-oxa-benzo[def]chrysene-5-one, pyrene-1-carboxaldehyde, benzo[de]anthracene-7-one, benzo[a]anthracene-7,12-dione, and napthacene-5,12-dione) on airborne particulate matter (PM₁₀). The mass spectrometer was operated in multiple ion detection mode, allowing for selective accurate mass detection (mass resolution of 12,000 full width at half maximum) of the oxy-PAHs characteristic ions. Optimization of both the vaporizer (450 °C) and capillary temperature (350 °C) resulted into instrumental detection limits in the range between 7 (benzo[a]pyrene-1,6-dione) and 926 pg (benzo[a]anthracene-7,12-dione). The advanced pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and the more traditionally used ultrasonic extraction (USE) were compared using ethyl acetate as an extraction solvent. For both techniques, high recoveries from spiked quartz fiber filters (PLE, 82–110%; USE, 67–97%) were obtained. Recoveries obtained from real PM₁₀ samples were also high (76–107%), and no significant matrix effects (ME) on the ionization process (enhancement or suppression) were found (ME, 89–123%). Method limits of quantification (S/N = 10) were in the range between 2 and 336 pg/m³. This method was used to analyze real PM samples collected at several urban and rural locations in the Antwerp area. For the first time, concentrations for Belgium are provided. Concentrations of individual oxy-PAHs are in the lower pictograms per cubic meter to 6 ng/m³ range. High concentration differences between individual compounds are found as exemplified by the 75th percentile of the phenanthrene-9,10-dione and benzo[de]anthracene-7-one concentrations being a factor of 4 to 22 higher compared with the other target oxy-PAHs.     

Installation of Kayzero-INAA standardization in the TNRC and its applications for trace elements determination in different materials

The paper focuses on the validation of the k ₀-method of instrumental neutron activation analysis (k ₀-INAA) in the Tajura Nuclear Research Center (TNRC) via the analysis of several certified reference materials. The selected reference materials were: SRM 1572 Citrus Leaves, SRM 1575 Pine Needles, IAEA-A11 Milk Powder, IAEA-V-10 Hay Powder, RM IAEA-Soil-7 and RM IAEA-SL-1 Lake Sediment. The method is based on the PC version Kayzero/Solcoi software package issued by DSM. All the samples, reference materials and monitors were irradiated in various positions of the Tajura reactor with different f and α. The parameters f and α (f — thermal/epithermal neutron flux ratio, α — parameter accounting for the non-ideality of the 1/E epithermal neutron fluence rate distribution) were determined using the bare triple monitor method. The results obtained for all the reference materials are in good agreement with the certified values.     

Influence of the Cation on the Solubility of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and H<Subscript>2</Subscript> in Ionic Liquids Based on the Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Anion

Experimental values for the solubility of carbon dioxide and hydrogen in three room temperature ionic liquids based on the same anion—(bistrifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [Ntf₂]—and three different cations—1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C₄mim], 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C₂mim] and trimethyl-butylammonium, [N₄₁₁₁]—are reported between 283 and 343 K and close to atmospheric pressure. Carbon dioxide, with a mole-fraction solubility of the order of 10⁻², is two orders of magnitude more soluble than hydrogen. The solubility of CO₂ is very similar in the three ionic liquids although slightly lower in the presence of the [C₂mim] cation. In the case of H₂, noticeable differences were observed with larger mole fraction solubilities in the presence of [N₄₁₁₁] followed by [C₄mim]. All of the mole-fraction solubilities decrease with increasing temperature. From the variation of Henry’s law constants with temperature, the thermodynamic functions of solvation were calculated. The precision of the experimental data, considered as the average absolute deviation of the Henry’s law constants from appropriate smoothing equations, is always better than ±1%.     

Highly sensitive determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air dust by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after molecularly imprinted polymer extraction

A method based on solid--phase extraction with a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) has been developed to determine five probable human carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient air dust by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Molecularly imprinted poly(vinylpyridine-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) was chosen as solid-phase extraction (SPE) material for PAHs. The conditions affecting extraction efficiency, for example surface properties, concentration of PAHs, and equilibration times were evaluated and optimized. Under optimum conditions, pre-concentration factors for MIP-SPE ranged between 80 and 93 for 10 mL ambient air dust leachate. PAHs recoveries from MIP-SPE after extraction from air dust were between 85% and 97% and calibration graphs of the PAHs showed a good linearity between 10 and 1000 ng L⁻¹ (r = 0.99). The extraction efficiency of MIP for PAHs was compared with that of commercially available SPE materials—powdered activated carbon (PAC) and polystyrene-divinylbenzene resin (XAD)—and it was shown that the extraction capacity of the MIP was better than that of the other two SPE materials. Organic matter in air dust had no effect on MIP extraction, which produced a clean extract for GC-MS analysis. The detection limit of the method proposed in this article is 0.15 ng L⁻¹ for benzo[a]pyrene, which is a marker molecule of air pollution. The method has been applied to the determination of probable carcinogenic PAHs in air dust of industrial zones and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Synthesis and characterization of two inorganic–organic hybrid polyoxometalates bridged by Keggin-type building blocks and copper(II) organonitrogen complexes

Two new inorganic–organic hybrid compounds, namely [Cu(dab)₂]₂[α-SiW₁₂O₄₀]·H₂O (dab = 1,2-diaminobenzene) and [Cu(dafo)₃]₂[Cu(dafo)₂(H₂O)₂][α-PMo₁₂O₄₀]₂·4H₂O (dafo = 4,5-diaza- fluorene-9-one) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [Cu(dab)₂]₂[α-SiW₁₂O₄₀]·H₂O exhibits an alternating 2D ladder-like structure built of [α-SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ and [Cu(L)₂]²⁺ units. As the inorganic building block, the Keggin-type polyoxoanion [α-SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ is linked to two metal–organic complexes [Cu(dab)₂]²⁺ through different kinds of oxygen atoms (terminal and bridging). [Cu(dafo)₃]₂[Cu(dafo)₂(H₂O)₂][α-PMo₁₂O₄₀]₂·4H₂O shows an extended 3D supramolecular network via hydrogen bonding. Both complexes were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods.     

Syntheses and characterization of three hybrid materials based on polymeric copper complexes and saturated Keggin polyoxoanions

Three novel heteropolytungstates, [Cu(phen)₂]₄[α-SiW₁₂O₄₀] (1), [Cu₄(4,4′-bpy)₃(2,2′-bpy)₄][α-SiW₁₂O₄₀] · H₂O (2) and [Cu(4,4′-bpy)(4,4′-Hbpy)_0.5]₂[PW₁₂O₄₀] (3) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TG analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound (1) exhibits interesting chiral layer constructed from interperpendicular helical chains running along a crystallographic 2₁ axis in the c and a directions. Furthermore, the chiral layers are connected by the [α-SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ anions via hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 3D superamolecular structure. The [Cu₄(4,4′-bpy)₃(2,2′-bpy)₄]⁴⁺ coordinated complexes in compound (2) are packed together via the aromatic π–π stacking interactions and exhibit an interesting 3D sandglasslike “host” network with 1D channels, in which [α-SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ anions “guests” reside. Compound (3) has a unique 2D superamolecular network, which is composed of cationic Cu^I coordination polymer chains and discrete [PW₁₂O₄₀]³⁻ polyoxoanions as linkers. It is noteworthy that the monprotonated 4,4′-bpy ligands of (3) act as arms and connect the adjacent 2D network, generating a 3D interpenetrating superamolecular structure.     

Gamma-radiolysis of chiral terpenes: α-(−)pinene and α-(+)pinene

The terpenes α-(+)-pinene, and α-(−)pinene have been radiolyzed at radiation doses of 150, 300 and 600 kGy. The radiolyzed samples have been analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy and polarimetry. Both α-(+)-, α-(−)-pinenes show a linear trend to radioracemization as a function of the radiation dose administered ≈2.5·10⁻³ [α]_D/kGy. The solvent fractionation and the liquid chromatographic analysis (HPLC) of the radiolyzed samples shows that both α-pinene enantiomers produce ocimene and dipentene together with minor quantities of other products and a resin. The kinetics of α-pinene decomposition under radiolytic conditions can be described by a pseudofirst order rate constant k∼5.3·10⁻⁷s⁻¹ while the radiation chemical yield for the same reaction has a G = 5.0 molecules/100 eV, so that about 30% of the original α-pinene is converted into other products at 600 kGy.     

Determination of Natural Vitamin E from Italian Hazelnut Leaves

A new potential source of natural vitamin E from thirteen samples of Corylus avellana L. leaves was screened: the major Italian cultivar — Tonda romana (collected from Latium and Sardinia localities); ten local genotypes from Sardinia — Moro seme, Suconcale, Moro, Sarda grossa, Sarda grossa seme, Sarda schiacciata, Coccoredda, Sarda lunga, Sarda piccola and Sarda tardiva; wild genotype — Selvatico from Latium. The determination was performed after optimizing the high-efficiency pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) conditions of α-tocopherol from Italian hazelnut tree green leaves. Moro from Sardinia showed the highest content of α-tocopherol (237.4±0.3 μg/g d.w). Leaves of this genotype may be considered as a potential new source for natural α-tocopherol. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 538–540, November–December, 2005.     

Synthesis and characterization of layered double hydroxides with different cations (Mg,Co, Ni,Al), decomposition and reformation of mixed metal oxides to layered structures

Three layered double hydroxides (LDH) [Mg_1−xAl_x(OH)₂]^x+(A^m−)_x/m]·nH₂O and [M^II _1−xM^III _x (OH)₂]^x+(A^m−)_x/m]·nH₂O (M^II — Mg, Co, Ni; MIII — Al; A — CO₃ ²⁻) were successfully synthesized by the low supersaturation method. The as-synthesized LDH samples were thermally decomposed and the derived mixed metal oxides reformed back to layered structures in water and magnesium nitrate media at different temperatures. All synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of XRD and XRF analyses showed that single-phase layered double hydroxides were formed during synthesis and reformation. It was demonstrated, that a partially substituted by cobalt and nickel LDH samples also show memory effect. The crystallite size of regenerated LDH depends on the regeneration media, temperature and chemical composition. The LDH samples after regeneration consist of large particles with sharp edges along with a large amount of smaller particles     

Structural arrangement of layers in some octaorganylsilsesquioxanes

Thick (≈0.2–1 μm) layers of octaorganylsilsesquioxanes [RSiO_1.5]₈, where R is CH₃, C₂H₃, and C₂H₅, were obtained by vacuum deposition and studied by X-ray diffractometry (DRON-3M, R=192 mm, CuK_α radiation). Irrespective of the type of support, the layers are ideally oriented polycrystalline films with the [001] texture axis. Structural arrangement of the layers is analyzed on the basis of the crystal data. Orientation of the terminal atomic groups on the surface of the layer is established. It is shown that it is possible to adjust the scale of the layer pattern. Two-layer compositions— Cu(II) β-diketonates and phthalocyanines on octaorganylsilsesquioxane supports and vice versa — with preserved orientations of the films were obtained. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 923–928, September–October, 1996. Translated by L. Smolina     

Photochromic crown ethers

An amphiphilic crown-containing styryl dye (1) was synthesized, and the effects of irradiation, temperature, and alkali and alkali-earth metal ions on the conductivity and optical spectra of its solutions in dioctyl phthalate were studied. Compound1 in thetrans-form almost completely exists as ion pairs (IP). Irradiation at a long-wavelength absorption maximum (λ_max) results in a reversible increase in the conductivity and, hence, a degree of dissociation of IP (α); these parameters decrease when complexes with metal ions are formed. The relaxation times for the photoinduced conductivity coincide with a decrease in the extinction within experimental error in the 20–60°C temperature range. The photoinduced increase in α is caused bytrans—cis-isomerization and an increase in steric hindrances for the interaction of the ClO₄ ⁻ anion with the N⁺ atom of benzothiazolium in thecis-form of1. The activation energies for the darkcis—trans-relaxation, absolute α values, and thermodynamic parameters of dissociation of IP in thetrans-form, as well as the α values in a photostationary mixture ofcis—trans-isomers, were estimated. The decrease in α after binding with metal ions is likely caused by the redistribution of the positive charge to benzothiazolium through the conjugated system of1. Correlations between the decrease in conductivity (decrease in α) and the hypsochromic shift Δλ_max after the formation of complexes between1 and metal ions were observed. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1296–1301, July, 1997.     

Phase transformations of ammonium tungsten bronzes

This article discusses the formation and structure of ammonium tungsten bronzes, (NH₄) _x WO_3−y . As analytical tools, TG/DTA-MS, XRD, SEM, Raman, XPS, and ¹H-MAS NMR were used. The well-known α-hexagonal ammonium tungsten bronze (α-HATB, ICDD 42-0452) was thermally reduced and around 550 °C a hexagonal ammonium tungsten bronze formed, whose structure was similar to α-HATB, but the hexagonal channels were almost completely empty; thus, this phase was called reduced hexagonal (h-) WO₃. In contrast with earlier considerations, it was found that the oxidation state of W atoms influenced at least as much the cell parameters of α-HATB and h-WO₃, as the packing of the hexagonal channels. Between 600 and 650 °C reduced h-WO₃ transformed into another ammonium tungsten bronze, whose structure was disputed in the literature. It was found that the structure of this phase—called β-HATB, (NH₄)_0.001WO_2.79—was hexagonal.     

Formation of polynuclear palladium complexes with the benzimidazole-2-thiolate anion

The reactions of palladium(II) salts with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (HL) and its 5,6-difluorinated derivative (HL^F) were investigated. In the presence of hydrochloric acid, PdCl₂ and K₂PdCl₄ react with HL and HL^F in the ethanol—water and acetonitrile—water systems to form the mono-nuclear dicationic complexes [Pd(HL)₄]Cl₂ (1) and [Pd(L^F)₄]Cl₂ (2). In the absence of HCl, the reactions afford the tetranuclear complex Pd₄[(L)₂(μ₃-S,N-(L))₂(μS,N-(L))₄] (3). The reaction of triethylamine with an ethanolic solution of 3 leads to degradation of 3 and the formation of the lantern-type dinuclear complex Pd₂[(μ₂-(L)₄] (4), in which the palladium atoms are in the nonequivalent coordination environment, PdN₄ and PdS₄. The reaction of K₂PdCl₄ with HL or HL^F in the THF—water or acetonitrile—water systems (for the reaction with HL^F) in the presence of Et₃N produces the lantern-type dinuclear complexes Pd₂[(μS,N′-(L³))₄] and Pd₂[(μ-S,N′-(L^F))₄] (5), in which the metal atoms are in the equivalent coordination environment (cis-PdN₂S₂). Dedicated to Academician G. A. Tolstikov on the occasion of his 75th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 45–52, January, 2008.     

Crystal structures of [Hg(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-ethylthiourea)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>] and [Hg(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-propylthiourea)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

Two mercury(II) cyanide complexes of N-ethylthiourea (Ettu) and N-propylthiourea (Prtu) ligands, [Hg(Ettu)₂(CN)₂] (1) and [Hg(Prtu)₂(CN)₂] (2), were prepared and their crystal structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. In both structures, the mercury atom is coordinated to two sulfur atoms of thioureas and two cyanide carbon atoms in a pseudo-tetrahedral mode with the bond angles in the range of 90.52(11)–162.2(3)°. The structures are stabilized by N-H—S, N-H—N, and C-H—N intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

A novel 2D organic-inorganic hybrid 3d–4f polyoxometalate built by [Gd(α-PW11O39)2]11? units and [Cu(Dap)2]2+ bridges

A novel 2D organic-inorganic hybrid 3d–4f polyoxometalate [Cu(Dap)₂(H₂O)][Cu(Dap)₂]_4.5[Gd(α-PW₁₁O₃₉)₂] · 5H₂O (I) (Dap = 1,2-diaminopropane) built by [Gd(α-PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]¹¹⁻ units and [Cu(Dap)₂]²⁺ bridges has been synthesized hydrothermally by the reaction of GdCl₃, CuCl₂ · 2H₂O, Na₉[A-α-PW₉O₃₄] · 7H₂O, and Dap and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, UV spectrum, powder X-ray diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Single-crystal structural analysis shows that I displays an interesting 2D 3d–4f heterometallic sheet architecture with a 5-connected topology constructed from 1: 2-type [Gd(α-PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]¹¹⁻ subunits and [Cu(Dap)₂]²⁺ bridges. To the best of our knowledge, I represents a rare organic-inorganic hybrid 2D 3d–4f heterometallic monovacant Keggin phosphotungstate.     

Crystal structure, spectroscopic and magnetic properties, and antimicrobial activities of cobalt(II) 2-methylthionicotinate complexes with N-heterocyclic ligands

Synthesis and characterization of 10 new 2-methylthionicotinate (2-MeSnic) Co(II) complexes, namely, [Co(2-MeSnic)₂L₂(H₂O)₂] · nH₂O (L is N,N-diethylnicotinamide—Et₂nia, ethylnicotinate—Etnic, nicotinamide—nia, isonicotinamide—isonia, N-methylnicotinamide—N-Menia, furo[3,2-c]pyridine—fpy, 2,3-dimethylfuro[3,2-c]pyridine—Me₂fpy or benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-c]pyridine—Bfp; n is 0, 1 or 2) as well as [Co(2-MeSnic)₂L₂] (L is ronicol—ron or 2-methylfuro[3,2-c]pyridine—Mefpy), are reported. The characterizations were based on physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The crystal structure of one of the complexes has been determined. In the molecular complex [Co(2-MeSnic)₂(Me₂fpy)₂(H₂O)₂], the Co(II) central atom, located at a symmetry centre, is octahedrally coordinated by an oxygen atom of the unidentate 2-MeSnic carboxyl group, the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring of Me₂fpy, a water molecule and the corresponding centrosymmetrically located atoms. Also, biological activity of the complexes against various strains of bacteria and filamentous fungi has been investigated. It is concluded that by complexation of these nicotinate derivatives their biological activities are elevated. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Ruthenium-mediated Selective Aromatic Thiolation in the Complex [RuII{o-S—C6H4-(p-R-)—N=N—C3H2NN(1)—R′}2]. Synthesis, Spectroscopic, e.p.r., Electro-chemical Characterization and Spectro-electrochemical Correlation

The reaction of ctc-[Ru(RaaiR′)₂Cl₂] (3a–3i) [RaaiR′=1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole, p-R—C₆H₄—N=N— C₃H₂NN(1)—R′, R=H, OMe, NO₂, R′=Me, Et, Bz] with KS₂COR′′ (R′′=Me, Et, Pr, Bu or CH₂Ph) in boiling dimethylformamide afforded [Ru^II{o-S—C₆H₄(p-R-)—N=N—C₃H₂NN(1)—R′}₂] (4a–4i), where the ortho-carbon atom of the pendant phenyl ring of both ligands has been selectively and directedly thiolated. The newly formed tridentate thiolate ligands are bound in a meridional fashion. The solution electronic spectra exhibit a strong MLCT band near 700 nm and near 550 nm, respectively in DCM. The molecular geometry of the complexes in solution has been determined by H n.m.r. spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammograms show a Ru(II)/Ru(III) couple near 0.4 V and an irreversible oxidation response near 1.0 V due to oxidation of the coordinated thiol group, along with two successive reversible ligand reductions in the range −0.80–0.87 V (one electron), −1.38–1.42 V (one electron). Coulometric oxidation of the complexes at 0.6 V versus SCE in CH₂Cl₂ produced an unstable Ru(III) congener. When R=Me the presence of trivalent ruthenium was proved by a rhombic e.p.r. spectrum having g₁=2.349, g₂=2.310.