SYNTHESIS OF PHOSPHITE COMPLEXES OF RUTHENIUM(II)

By reacting trans-[Ru(NH34 SO2 (H20)](CF3SO3)2, [Ru(NH3)5(H2O)] (PF6)2 or[Ru(NH3)5(H2O)](CF3SO3)3 with phosphites in acetone, the complexes trans-[Ru(NH3)4(P(OR)3)2]X2 (X =PF-6, or CF3SO-3 R = methyl, isopropyl, or butyl) have been prepared. The mixed complexes trans-[Ru(NH3)4P(OEt)4P(OR)3)2, (R = methyl, isopropyl, butyl, or phenyl were isolated following reaction of trans-[Ru(NH3)4P(OEt)3(H2O)](CF3- S03)2 with phosphites in acetone. The new complexes have been characterized on the basis of their microanalyses, cyclic voltammetry, conductivity, magnetic susceptibility data and vibrational and electronic spectra All of these complexes are reasonably air stable, in accord with E° data for the Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple of these compounds, which are in the range of +0.69 - 0.63 V. They are all magnetic and behave at 1:2 electrolytes in solution. Both series of complexes exhibit absorption bands at 262 nm (e = 510-410 M-1cm-1 and 294 nm (ε{lunate} = 350200 M-1 attributable to d-d transitions. © 1979.