The reactions of [Ru(η 6-arene)Cl 2] 2 compounds with a series of aminopyridine ligands: X-ray crystal structures of [Ru(η 6-1,4-MeC 6H 4CHMe 2)Cl 2(NC 5H 4NH 2)] and [Ru(η 6-C 16H 16)Cl 2(NC 5H 4NH 2)

Abstract

The reactions of the dimers [Ru(η 6-arene)Cl 2] 2 (arene = C 6H 6, 1,4-MeC 6H 4CHMe 2, [2 2](1,4)C 16H 16) with a range of aminopyridine ligands have been investigated. These ligands can potentially coordinate to a single metal centre in a monodentate fashion through either pyridyl or amino nitrogen atoms, can chelate a single metal centre, or can bridge across two metal ions. Spectroscopic data collected on 12 compounds is exclusively consistent with monodentate coordination via the pyridyl nitrogen atoms. This mode of coordination has been conclusively established by X-ray structure determinations of the compounds [Ru(η 6-1,4-MeC 6H 4CHMe 2)Cl 2(NC 5H 4NH 2)] and Ru(η 6-C 16H 16)Cl 2(NC 5H 4NH 2)].