NO Release from trans-[Ru(NH3)4L(NO)]3+ Complexes Upon Reduction (L = 1-Methylimidazole or Benzoimidazole)

The synthesis, characterization and reactivity of trans-[Ru(NH3)4(L)NO](PF6)3(L = benzoimidazole or 1-methylimidazole in trans position to NO) are presented. 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy data indicate that the benzoimidazole and 1-methylimidazole ligands are coordinated to RuII through carbon and nitrogen, respectively. The nitrosyl stretching frequencies [ν(NO) > 1900 cm−1] suggest that the coordinated nitrosyl has substantial NO+ character. The complexes undergo a single-electron reduction (E0≈−0.245 versus NHE), which involves the coordinated nitrosyl. Dissociation of NO in the reduced species is facilitated by the 1-methylimidazole ligand, which is not observed for the benzoimidazole species. The complex with 1-methylimidazole does not suffer hydroxide attack on the NO+, at least at pH values lower than 11.