Synthesis, characterization, and substituent effects of mononuclear ruthenium complexes [RuCl(CO)(PMe3)3(CHCH-C6H4-R-p)] (R = H, CH3, OCH3, NO2, NH2, NMe2)

A series of mononuclear ruthenium complexes RuCl(CO)(PMe₃)₃(CHCH-C₆H₄-R-p)] (R = H (2a), CH₃ (2b), OCH₃ (2c), NO₂ (2d), NH₂ (2e), NMe₂ (2f)) has been prepared. The respective products have been characterized by elemental analyses, NMR spectrometry, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The structures of complexes 2c and 2d have been established by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies have revealed that electron-releasing substituents facilitate monometallic ruthenium complex oxidation, and the substituent parameter values (σ) show a strong linear correlation with the anodic half-wave or oxidation peak potentials of the complexes.