The reaction of dibenzoylmethane (HDBM) with [RuCl2(PPh3)3] in benzene in the presence of a
supporting base (Et3N) under reflux gives two different complexes, the side product as a green-yellow
Ru(III) compound of composition [RuIIICl2(DBM)(PPh3)2] (2) and the main product as a red Ru(II)
complex of composition [RuII(DBM)2(PPh3)2] (3). The products were studied by spectroscopic methods,
cyclic voltammetry and X-ray single crystal diffraction. The molecular structure of 2 shows a distorted
octahedral environment around the Ru atom with two phosphine ligands in trans positions. The octahedral
complex 3 shows a cis arrangement of two phosphine ligands. ?? 2009 Springer Science+Business Media
B.V.
