Reaction of an NAD(P)+ model compound coordinated to a transition metal complex with ruthenium and rhenium hydrido complexes

Ruthenium(II) and rhenium(I) complexes with a deprotonated 1-benzylamidium cation as ligand are reduced by metal hydrido complexes. The products are binuclear complexes with a deprotonated 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH) ligand, such as [{Ru(tpy)(bpy)}2(BNAH-H+)]3+. The reducing ability of [{Ru(tpy)(bpy)}2(BNAH-H+)]3+ is similar to that of free BNAH but less than for the corresponding mononuclear [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(BNAH-H+)]+.