The reactivity of the cis-RuCl2 fragment in Ru(P)2(TaiMe)Cl2 with N,O; O,O and S,S-chelators (P = PPh3; TaiMe = 1-methyl-2-(p-tolylazo)imidazole)

Ru(P)₂(TaiMe)Cl₂ [P = PPh₃; TaiMe = 1-methyl-2-(p-tolylazo)imidazole] possesses a cis-RuCl₂ configuration. Dechlorination was carried out in acetone solution by Ag⁺ and the solvated species reacted with N,O-[oxinate (ox), -picolinate (pic)], O,O-[salicylate (sa), 3-formylsalicylate (3-fsa), 5-formylsalicylate (5-fsa)] and S,S-[xanthate (xan), dithiocarbamate (dtc)] chelators to yield [Ru(P)₂(TaiMe)(N,O/O,O/S,S)] (ClO₄)_n (n = 1 for N,O- and S,S-chelators; n = 0 for O,O-chelators). The complexes were characterised by microanalysis, molar conductance, i.r., u.v.–vis. and ¹H-n.m.r. data. Isomeric structures in some complexes were identified by ¹H-n.m.r. spectra. The electronic spectra show a high intensity ( 10⁴) m.l.c.t. transition in the visible region together with a weak shoulder ( 10³) at longer wavelength. Redox studies exhibit a Ru^III/Ru^II couple and quasireversible azo reduction.