Spectroelectrochemical studies on some new ruthenium(II) complexes containing both cyanide and isocyanide ligands

New ruthenium(II) complexes trans, trans, trans-[RuCl2(NCR)(2)(CNR')(2)] (R = Me or Ph, R' = Bu', xylyl or cyclohexyl (cy)) have been prepared by trea ting mer-[RuCl3(NCR)(3)] with the appropriate isocyanide ligand CNR' in EtO H/CH2Cl2. These complexes have been shown to be oxidisable electrochemicall y in situ to the analogous ruthenium(III) species trans, trans, trans[RuCl2 (NCR)(2)(CNR')(2)](+) in 0.5 mol dm(-3) [NBu4n][PF6]/CH2Cl2 solution, the s tereochemistry of the oxidised species being established by use of an infra red spectroelectrochemical (IRRAS) technique. The electronic absorption spe ctra of the ruthenium(III) species obtained by use of an OTTLE cell are als o reported and discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserve d.