Removal of one chloride ligand from the aminocarbene fac-[(PNP)RuCl2(C{N(H)Ph}{CH2Ph})] in THF followed by treatment with phenylacetylene yields the ruthenium(II) complex mer-[(PNP)RuCl{C=C(H)Ph}(C{N(H)Ph}{CH2Ph})]PF6 (4). Complex 4 represents the first example of a transition metal complex with the simultaneous coordination of vinylidene and carbene ligands. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.