Synthesis, characterisation and reactivity of trans-[Ru(L)(PPh3)Br2];: L = 2-pyridyl-N-(2′-methylthiophenyl)methyleneimine -: Crystal structure of trans-[Ru(L)(PPh3)Br2]

Reaction of Ru(PPh3)(2)Br-2 with the NNS chelating tridentate ligand 2-pyridyl-N-(2'-methylthiophenyl)methyleneimine (L) led to the isolation of the ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(L)(PPh3)Br-2]. Reactivity of this complex with different bidentate chelating ligands revealed that the products are quite different from those obtained by reacting Ru(L)(PPh3)Cl-2 (the corresponding cis dichloro complex) with the same ligands under comparable conditions. The mixed chelates were isolated and characterised by elemental analysis, magnetic moment measurement and by different spectroscopic methods along with their precursor. Electrochemistry of the complexes was examined by cyclic voltammetry using a platinum working electrode and a Ag/AgCl electrode as reference. The crystal structure of [Ru(L)(PPh3)Br-2] disclosed that, unlike Ru(L)(PPh3)Cl-2, the two bromo ligands are in trans position and this explained the difference in its reactivity pattern from the corresponding chloro complex. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.