Chemical or electrochemical oxidation of [H3Ru3(CX)(CO)9-nLn] (X = OMe, L = PPh3, n = 2, 3; X = OMe, L = AsPh3, n = 3; X = SEt, NMeBz, L = PPh3, n = 3) reversibly forms the corresponding cation radical [H3Ru3(CX)(CO)9-nLn]+. Decomposition of [H3Ru3-(COMe)(CO)6L3]+ generates [H3Ru3(CO)7L3]+. The complexes [H3Ru3(CX)(CO)9-n Ln]+ were characterized by1H NMR and ERR spectroscopies. The complexes [H3Ru3- (CO)7L3]+ were characterized by1H and31P NMR spectroscopies and by comparison of the spectra with those of [H3Os3(CO)10-nLn]+ (L = PPh3, n = 0, 1). © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.