Use of HPLC in the identification of cis and trans-diaquabis(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes: crystal structure of cis-[Ru(H2O)2(bpy)2](PF6)2

[Ru(H2O)2(bpy)2](PF6)2 complex was obtained by reacting HPF6 in a [Ru(CO3)(bpy)2] aqueous solution. The complex can exist as cis and trans isomers and usually has been used in the preparation of several ruthenium–bipyridine species. Despite the possibility to have contamination of a specie in another, there is no analytical control involving the characterization of both complexes. Based on this we have proposed the use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as an analytical technique to control the purity of cis and trans isomers. The separation was performed using a CLC-ODS column. The cis isomer eluted at 9.4 min while trans isomer eluted at 4.3 min. In aqueous solution the trans and cis isomer configurations were confirmed by NMR spectra (1H). The attribution of cis isomer was also made based on the X-ray crystal structure (monoclinic, P21/c, a=12.320(2), b=13.852(2), c=34.220(3) Å, β=91.89(1)°, Z=8) which is reported. The six-coordinated ruthenium atom is chelated by two bipyridines and two molecules of H2O.