The interaction of [(C(5)Me(5))Ru(CH3CN)(3)](+) (generated in situ fro
m the reaction of [(C(5)Me(5))RuCl2](n) with excess granular zinc in C
H3CN) with one equivalent of s[o-(diphenylphosphino)benzylidene]ethyle
nediamine (P2N2) in CH3CN at room temperature gave [(C(5)Me(5))Ru(P2N2
)](2)[ZnCl4]. 2H(2)O in good yield (80%). The compound has been fully
characterized by analytical, spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction metho
ds.