2-(4-ethoxyphenlytelluromethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran (L-1) and 2-(2-{4-ethoxyphenyl}telluroethyl)-1,3-dioxane (L-2): synthesis, reactions of L-1 with iodine and ligation of L-1 with Ru(II), Cu(I), and Hg(II) and L-2 with Ru(II). Crystal structures of [RuCl2(p-cymene)center dot L-1/L-2]

2-(4-Ethoxyphenlytelluromethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran (L-1) and 2-(2-{4-ethoxy phenyl}telluroethyl)-1,3-dioxane (L-2) have been synthesized by reacting in situ generated ArTe-Na+ with an appropriate organic halide. The reaction o f L-1 with iodine results in its diiodo derivative [L-1(I)(2)] (1). The com plexes of stoichiometries [CuBrL1] (2), [HgBr2L1] (3) and [RuCl2(p-cymene)- L-1/L-2] (4/5) are synthesized. The NMR (H-1 and C-13) in conjunction with elemental analyses, molecular weight and conductance measurements were used to characterize L, L 2, 1 and the complexes 2-5. The ligands coordinate in all the complexes through Te, as indicated by the deshielding of CH2Te sig nals (up to similar to0.8 ppm) with respect to those of free ligands, excep t in the case of 2 in which bonding through CH2O has also to be invoked. Co mplexes 4 and 5 are characterized structurally (Ru-Te bond length: 2.619(8) and 2.642(1) Angstrom, respectively). The Ru-Cl bond lengths are in the ra nge 2.404(3)-2.420(6) Angstrom. The Te-C(aryl) bond is shorter than the Te- C(alkyl) bond in 4 but similar in 5. The two Ru(Il) complexes are the first examples with potential (Te, O) ligands of Ar(R)Te type, which have been s tructurally characterized. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.