Half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with Schiff base ligands bearing a hydroxyl group: Preparation,characterization and catalytic activities

Three half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes with hydroxyl group functionalized Schiff-base ligands [Ru(p-cymene)LCl] ( 2a-2c ) have been synthesized and characterized. All ruthenium complexes were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, mass spectrometry and infrared spectrometry. The molecular structure of ruthenium complex 2c was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Furthermore, these half-sandwich ruthenium complexes were found to exhibit high catalytic activity for nitro compounds reduction using NaBH₄ reducing agent in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in water at room temperature.     

Preparation,crystal structures and properties of half-sandwich ruthenium complexes containing salicylbenzoxazole ligands

Three half-sandwich ruthenium complexes [Ru(p-cymene)LCl] containing salicylbenzoxazole ligands [LH = 2-(5-methyl-benzoxazol-2-yl)-4-methyl-phenol (2a), LH = 2-(5-methyl-benzoxazol-2-yl)-4-chloro-phenol (2b), and LH = 2-(5-methyl-benzoxazol-2-yl)-4-bromo-phenol (2c)] were synthesized and characterized. All half-sandwich ruthenium complexes were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, MS, elemental analyses, and UV–vis as well as cyclic voltammetry (CV). The molecular structures of 2a, 2b, and 2c were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Single-crystal X-ray structures show that the synthesized ruthenium complexes are three-legged piano-stools with a six-membered metallocycle formed by coordination of the bidentate salicylbenzoxazole ligands to the metal centers. Data from CV and UV–vis absorption of the ruthenium complexes indicated that by changing the substituent on the para position of (donating or withdraw group) the salicylbenzoxazole ligands, minor changes in redox and electronic properties of the ruthenium complexes were observed.     

Synthesis, characterization, and X-ray structural analysis of some half-sandwich ruthenium(II) arene complexes with new N,S-donor Schiff base ligands

A series of cationic, half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with the general formula [(η⁶-arene)RuCl(R¹S-C₆H₄-2-CHNR²)]⁺ (arene = p-cymene or hexamethylbenzene; R¹ = CH₂Ph, ⁱPr, or Et; R² = aryl) have been prepared from the reaction of [(η⁶-arene)RuCl₂]₂ with various N,S-donor Schiff base ligands derived from 2-(alkylthio)benzaldehyde and several primary amines. All of the ruthenium complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, electrochemistry, and UV/Vis spectroscopies. The p-cymene complexes undergo irreversible oxidations while the hexamethylbenzene complexes undergo quasi-reversible oxidations. The molecular structures of ligand 1a and complexes 4a, 4l, and 5e were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Biocidal and catalytic efficiency of ruthenium(III) complexes with tridentate Schiff base ligands

The reaction of the Schiff bases (obtained by condensing isatin with o‐aminophenol/o‐aminothiophenol/o‐aminobenzoic acid) with [RuX₃(EPh₃)₃] (where X = Cl/Br; E = P/As) in benzene afforded new, air‐stable Ru(III) complexes of the general formula [Ru(L)X(EPh₃)₂] (L = dianion of tridentate Schiff bases). In all these reactions, the Schiff base ligand replaces one triphenylphosphine/triphenylarsine and two chlorides/bromides from the ruthenium precursors. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, spectral (FT–IR, UV–vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR for the ligands, and EPR) and electrochemical studies. All the metal complexes exhibit characteristic LMCT absorption bands in the visible region. The catalytic reactivity proved these complexes to be efficient catalysts in the oxidation of alcohols and C? C coupling. All the complexes were screened for their biocidal efficiency against bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli and fungi such as Botrytis cinerea and Aspergillus niger at 0.25, 0.50 and 1% concentrations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, characterization of novel half-sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes containing pyridine-based organochalcogen ligands

A series of neutral pyridine-based organochalcogen ligands, 2,6-bis(1-methylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (Bmtp), 2,6-bis(1-isopropylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (Bptp), and 2,6-bis(1-tert-butylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (Bbtp) have been synthesized and characterized. Reactions of [Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (Cp* = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, M = Ir, Rh) with three pyridine-based organochalcogen ligands result in the formation of the complexes Cp*M(L)Cl₂ (M = Ir, L = Bmtp, 1a·Cl₂; M = Rh, L = Bmtp, 1b·Cl₂; M = Ir, L = Bptp, 2a·Cl₂; M = Rh, L = Bptp, 2b·Cl₂; M = Ir, L = Bbtp, 3a·Cl₂; M = Rh, L = Bbtp, 3b·Cl₂), respectively. All compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectra. The molecular structures of Bbtp, 1a·Cl₂, 1b·Cl₂, 2b·Cl₂ and 3b·Cl₂ have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Syntheses, characterization and ethylene polymerization of half-sandwich group IV metal complexes with tridentate [O,N,S] ligands

A series of half-sandwich group IV metal complexes with tridentate monoanionic phenoxy-imine arylsulfide [O NS] ligand [2-Bu t 4-Me-6-((2-(SC 6 H 5)C 6 H 4 N = CHC 6 H 2 O)](La) and dianionic phenoxy-amine arylsulfide [O N S] ligand [2-Bu t 4-Me-6-((2-(SC 6 H 5)C 6 H 4 N-CH 2 C 6 H 2 O)] 2(Lb) have been synthesized and characterized.Lb was obtained easily in high yield by reduction of ligand La with excess LiAlH 4 in cool diethyl ether.Half-sandwich Group IV metal complexes CpTi[O NS]Cl 2(1a),CpZr[O NS]Cl 2(1b),CpTi[O N S]Cl(2a),CpZr[O N S]Cl(2b) and Cp * Zr[O N S]Cl(2c) were synthesized by the reactions of La and Lb with CpTiCl 3,CpZrCl 3 and Cp * ZrCl 3,and characterized by IR,1 H-NMR,13 C-NMR and elemental analysis.In addition,an X-ray structure analysis was performed on ligand Lb.The title Group IV half-sandwich bearing tridentate [O,N,S] ligands show good catalytic activities for ethylene polymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane(MAO) as co-catalyst up to 1.58 × 10 7 g-PE.mol-Zr 1.h 1.The good catalytic activities can be maintained even at high temperatures such as 100 ℃ exhibiting the excellent thermal stability for these half-sandwich metal pre-catalysts.     

Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic activity of half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with pyridine/phenylene bridged NHC = E (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene,E = S,Se) ligands

Three half-sandwichruthenium(II) complexes with pyridine/phenylene bridged NHC = E (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene, E = S, Se) ligands [Ru(p-cymene)L](PF₆)_1–2 ( 1a–1c , L = ligand) were synthesized and characterized. All ruthenium complexes were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, mass spectrometry, and single-crystalX-ray diffraction methods. Moreover, the half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with NHC = E ligands showed highly catalytic activities towards to the tandem dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB) and hydrogenation of R–NO₂ to R–NH₂ at 353 K in water.     

Syntheses,structures and electrochemical properties of ruthenium(II/III) complexes with tetradentate Schiff base ligands

Three unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligands, H₂salipn, H₂salipn-Br₄ and H₂salipn-Cl₂, have been synthesized from the typical condensation reactions of treating 1,2-diaminopropane with salicylaldehyde, 3,5-dibromosalicylaldehyde and 5-chlorosalicylaldehyde, respectively. Treatment of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] with one equivalent of H₂salipn or H₂salipn-Br₄ in the presence of triethylamine in tetrahydrofuran (THF) afforded the corresponding ruthenium(III) complexes [Ru^IIICl(PPh₃)(salipn)] (1) and [Ru^IIICl(PPh₃)(salipn-Br₄)] (2). Interaction of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with one equivalent of H₂salipn-Cl₂ or H₂salipn-Br₄ under the same conditions led to isolation of ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru^II(CO)(PPh₃)(salalipn-Cl₂)] (3) and [Ru^II(CO)(PPh₃)(salalipn-Br₄)] (4), respectively, in which one of the imine bonds was nucleophilically attacked by hydride to result in the formation of a mixed imine-amine ligand. The molecular structures of 1?1.5CH₂Cl₂, 2, 3?0.5CH₂Cl₂ and 4 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical properties of 1–4 were also investigated. Their cyclic voltammograms displayed quasi-reversible Ru(IV)/Ru(III) and Ru(III)/Ru(II) couples with E^o ranging from 0.67 to 1.05 V and 0.74 to 0.80 V vs. Ag/AgCl (0.1 M), respectively.     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic studies of ruthenium(II) Schiff base complexes

Complexes of the type [Ru(CO)(EPh₃)(B)(L)] (E = P or As; B = PPh₃, AsPh₃, py or pip; L = dianion of the Schiff bases derived from the condensation of salicyloyl hydrazide with acetone, ethyl methyl ketone and salicylaldehyde have been synthesised by the reaction of equimolar amounts of [RuHCl(CO)(EPh₃)₂(B)] and Schiff bases in benzene. The resulting complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectral (i.r., electronic, n.m.r.) data. The arrangements of Ph₃P groups around the Ru metal was determined from ³¹P-n.m.r. spectra. An octahedral structure has been assigned to all the new complexes. All the complexes exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and cyclohexanol in the presence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide as co-oxidant.     

Syntheses and molecular structures of 18/16-electron half-sandwich iridium(III) complexes with chelating anilido-imine ligands

A 18-electron complex Cp^∗IrCl[o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p) (CHNC₆H₃-Me-p)] (Cp^∗ = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) (1a) was obtained by the reaction of the lithium salt of o-C₆H₄N (C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNHC₆H₃-Me-p) (L₁) with [Cp^∗IrCl(μ-Cl)]₂ in toluene. However, when bulkier ligands (L₂ = o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNHC₆H₃-i-Me₂-2,6), L₃ = o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p) (CHNHC₆H₃-i-Pr₂-2,6)) were employed in the same reaction, two 16-electron complexes {Cp^∗Ir[o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNC₆H₃-i-Me₂-2,6)]}⁺Cl⁻ (2b) and {Cp^∗Ir[o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNC₆H₃-i-Pr₂-2,6)]}⁺Cl⁻ (3b) were formed. A 16-electron complex {Cp^∗Ir [o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p) (CHNC₆H₃-Me-p)]}⁺SO₃ CF⁻₃ (1b) bearing L₁ could be achieved by the reaction of 1a with AgSO₃CF₃ in CH₃CN solution. The molecular structures of 1a and 2b were determined by X-ray crystallography. Theoretical calculations of all the 18/16-electron species were performed to study their bonding characters and electronic properties. Electron donating effect of Cp^∗ and steric effect of anilido-imine ligand were considered as major factors in the formation of coordinative unsaturated complexes 1b, 2b, 3b.     

Syntheses and structural studies of mononuclear arene ruthenium complexes with nitrogen-based chelating ligands

Dinuclear arene ruthenium complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene?=?C₆H₆; p ⁱPrC₆H₄Me; C₆Me₆) and monomeric cyclopentadienyl complexes [(η⁵-Cp)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl] (Cp?=?cyclopentadienyl) react with polypyridyl nitrogen ligands L¹ (3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole) and L² (1,3-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene) in methanol to afford cationic mononuclear compounds [(η⁶-arene)Ru(L¹)Cl]⁺ (arene?=?C₆H₆, 1; p ⁱPrC₆H₄Me, 2; C₆Me₆, 3), [(η⁶arene)Ru(L²)Cl]⁺ (arene?=?C₆H₆, 4; p ⁱPrC₆H₄Me, 5; C₆Me₆, 6), [(η⁵-Cp)Ru(L¹)(PPh₃)]⁺ (7), and [(η⁵Cp)Ru(L²)(PPh₃)]⁺ (8). All cationic mononuclear compounds were isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts and characterized by elemental analyses, NMR, and IR spectroscopic methods and some representative complexes by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The solid state structures of two derivatives, [6]PF₆ and [7]PF₆, have been determined by the X-ray structure analysis.     

Sulfur and oxygen functionalized cyclopentadienyl half-sandwich cobalt complexes with 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1,2-dichalcogenolato ligands

Sulfur and oxygen functionalized cyclopentandienyl half-sandwich cobalt dicarbonyl complexes [η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂SCH₂CH₃]Co(CO)₂ (3) and [η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂OCH₃]Co(CO)₂ (7) were prepared. Oxidation of 3 or 7 with I₂ led to formation of 18-electron complexes [η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂SCH₂CH₃]CoI₂ (4) and [η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂OCH₃]Co(CO)I₂ (8). The reactions of diiodide complex (4) with dilithium 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12)-1,2-dichalcogenolates [(THF)₃LiE₂C₂B₁₀H₁₀Li(THF)]₂ [E=S (1a), Se (1b)] afforded 18-electron mononuclear complexes [η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂SCH₂CH₃]Co(E₂C₂B₁₀H₁₀) [E=S (5a), Se (5b)] in which sulfur atoms of side-chain were attached via an intramolecular coordination. Complex 7 reacted with 1a and 1b to give the binuclear complexes {[η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂OCH₃]Co(E₂C₂B₁₀H₁₀)}₂ [E=S (10a), Se (10b)]. The molecular structures of 5a and 10b were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. According to the X-ray structure analyses, 10b contains two o-carborane diselenolate bridges, and each Cp^′Co fragment is attached to one terminal and two bridging selenolato ligands. The central Co₂Se₂ four-membered ring is planar, and the direct metal-metal interaction is absent.     

Olefin isomerization reactions catalyzed by ruthenium hydrides bearing Schiff base ligands

A series of in situ‐generated ruthenium hydride complexes Ru(PPh₃)₂(CO)H(Lⁿ) (n = a – h ) incorporating a Schiff base ligand was investigated for the isomerization of olefins. ¹H‐NMR was used to characterize the new hydride species in combination with ³¹P‐NMR. Allylbenzene and 1‐octene were used as model substrates. Temperature, solvents and catalyst/substrate mole ratio were taken into account as parameters to optimize the isomerization reaction. All catalysts showed the best performance in 2‐butanol, suggesting that the catalytic activity depends not only strongly on the steric and electronic environment of the ruthenium but also on the chosen solvent. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Schiff base complexes of ruthenium(II) with tridentateN-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate ligands

Summary Schiff bases (HL) produced by the condensation ofN-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate with -diketones and aromatic aldehydes or ketones react with [RuHClCO(PPh₃)₃] to yield hexacoordinated complexes of the type [RuClCO(PPh₃)₂(L)]. These Schiff bases react with [RuCl₂{P(OR)₃}₄] in 11 molar ratio to yield [RuCl{P(OR)₃}₂(L)] in which L is a tridentate. The chlorine atom in the complex can be removed in coordinating solvents in the presence of anions such as [BPh₄]^– to give cationic complexes. Bis chelate complexes, [Ru{P(OR)₃}₂(L)₂] are prepared from 12 molar proportions of the reactants. These complexes were characterised by elemental analyses, i.r.,¹H n.m.r., u.v. and conductivity studies.NCL Communication No. 4224.     

Synthetic and catalytic investigations of ruthenium(III) complexes with triphenylphosphine/triphenylarsine and tridentate Schiff base

The synthesis and characterization of several hexa‐coordinated ruthenium(III) complexes of the type [RuCl(PPh₃)₂(L)] (L = dibasic tridentate ligand derived by the condensation of salicylaldehyde/o‐vanillin with o‐aminophenol/o‐aminothiophenol) are reported. IR, electronic, EPR spectral data and redox bahaviour of the complexes are discussed. An octahedral geometry has been tentatively proposed for all the complexes. The new complexes were found to be effective catalysts for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and cyclohexanol to benzaldehyde and cyclohexanone respectively using N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide as a co‐oxidant. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Syntheses and molecular structures of half-sandwich iridium metallarectangles containing bridging 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4- benzoquinonato (dhbq) ligands

Binuclear complex (Cp∗IrCl)₂(dhbq) (dhbq = 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinonato) (1) was obtained by the reaction of (Cp∗IrCl₂)₂ with bridging ligand 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone(H₂dhbq) in the presence of the base n-BuNH₂. After treatments of 1 with AgX (X = ) and then with N-linkers (pyrazine, 4,4′-bipyridine), the corresponding tetranuclear metallarectangular complexes [(Cp∗Ir)₄(dhbq)₂(pyrazine)₂] (NO₃)₄·CH₂Cl₂·5H₂O (2) and [(Cp∗Ir)₄(dhbq)₂(4,4′-bipyridine)₂](SO₃CF₃)₄(3) were obtained in good yields. Both the products were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and single crystal X-ray analyses and revealed that these tetranuclear complexes were constructed from half-sandwich metal corners with both dhbq and N-linkers to form rectangular cavities with the dimensions 8.0 × 6.9 Å (Ir-Ir separations) for 2, 8.0 × 11.2 Å (Ir-Ir separations) for 3, respectively. In additionally, in the solid structure of 2 the counteranions are located out of the cavities with the observed water molecules by hydrogen bonding of the type N-O?H-O-H?O-N. One-dimensional channels are observed in 3 along the b axis with intramolecular stacking, the similar arrangement is not found in the solid of 2.     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich iridium(III) and rhodium(III) complexes bearing organochalcogen ligands

Reactions of [Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with bi- or tri-dentate organochalcogen ligands Mbit (L1), Mbpit (L2), Mbbit (L3) and [Tm^Me]⁻ (L4) (Mbit = 1,1′-methylenebis(3-methyl-imidazole-2-thione); Mbpit = 1,1′-methylene bis (3-iso-propyl-imidazole-2-thione), Mbbit = 1,1′-methylene bis (3-tert-butyl-imidazole-2-thione)) and [Tm^Me]⁻ (Tm^Me = tris (2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolyl) borate) result in the formation of the 18-electron half-sandwich complexes [Cp*M(Mbit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 1a; M = Rh, 1b), [Cp*M(Mbpit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 2a; M = Rh, 2b), [Cp*M(Mbbit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 3a; M = Rh, 3b) and [Cp*M(Tm^Me)]Cl (M = Ir, 4a; M = Rh, 4b), respectively. All complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectra. The molecular structures of 1a, 2b and 4a have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes incorporating tridentate Schiff base ligands: synthesis,spectroscopic, redox,catalytic and biological properties

A series of new diamagnetic ruthenium(II) complexes of the type [RuCl(CO)(B)(L)] (where B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py; L = monobasic tridentate Schiff base ligands derived from o‐aminophenol or o‐aminothiophenol with ethylacetoacetate or ethylbenzoylacetate) have been synthesized and these complexes were characterized by physico‐chemical and spectroscopic methods. Cyclic voltammograms of all the complexes show quasi‐reversible oxidation in the range 0.24–1.05 V and the quasi‐reversible reduction in the range ? 0.14 to ? 0.51 V. The observed redox potentials show little variation with respect to the replacement of triphenyl phosphine/arsine by pyridine. The complexes were tested as catalysts in the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols using molecular oxygen at room temperature and also in C? C coupling reactions. Further, the antibacterial properties of the free ligands and their metal complexes were evaluated against certain bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dinuclear nickel(II) complexes with Schiff base ligands: syntheses, structures and bio-relevant catalytic activities

Three Ni(II) complexes of cresol-based Schiff-base ligands, namely [Ni₂(L¹)(NCS)₃(H₂O)₂], (1) [Ni₂(L²)(CH₃COO)(NCS)₂(H₂O)] (2) and [Ni₂(L³)(NCS)₃] (3), (where L¹ = 2,6-bis(N-ethylpyrrolidineiminomethyl)-4-methylphenolato, L² = 2,6-bis(N-ethylpiperidineiminomethyl)-4-methylphenolato and L³ = 2,6-bis{N-ethyl-N-(3-hydroxypropyl iminomethyl)}-4-methylphenolato), have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction in addition to routine physicochemical techniques. Density functional theory calculations have been performed to understand the nature of the electronic spectra of the complexes. Complexes 1?C3 when reacted with 4-nitrophenyl phosphate in 50:50 acetonitrile?Cwater medium promote the cleavage of the O?CP bond to form p-nitrophenol and smoothly convert 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBC) to 3,5-di-tert-butylquinone (3,5-DTBQ) either in MeOH or in MeCN medium. Phosphatase- and catecholase-like activities were monitored by UV?Cvis spectrophotometry and the Michaelis?CMenten equation was applied to rationalize all the kinetic parameters. Upon treatment with urea, complexes 1 and 2 give rise to [Ni₂(L¹)(NCS)₂(NCO)(H₂O)₂] (1??) and [Ni₂(L²)(CH₃COO)(NCO)(NCS)(H₂O)] (2??) derivatives, respectively, whereas 3 remains unaltered under same reaction conditions.     

Preparation, characterization, and catalytic properties of ruthenium nitrosyl complexes with polypyrazolylmethane ligands

Ruthenium(II) nitrosyl complexes with polypyrazolylmethanes, [(Bpm)Ru(NO)Cl₃] [Bpm = bis(1-pyrazolyl)methane, 1], [(Bpm^∗)Ru(NO)Cl₃] [Bpm^∗ = bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane, 2], [(Tpm)Ru(NO)Cl₂][PF₆] [Tpm = tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane, 3], and [(Tpm^∗)Ru(NO)Cl₂][PF₆] [Tpm^∗ = tris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane, 4], have been synthesized and characterized. The solid-state structures of [(Bpm^∗)Ru(NO)Cl₃] (2) and [(Tpm^∗)Ru(NO)Cl₂][PF₆] (4) were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses. These complexes have been tested as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of several ketones under mild conditions.