Bis(4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)ruthenium(II): Holding the {Ru(tpy)2}2+ embraces at bay

The solid state structure of [Ru(Phtpy)2][PF6]2 · 4MeCN has been determined (Phtpy = 4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine); [Ru(Phtpy)2]2+ cations pack into sheets by virtue of {M(tpy)2}2 embraces, and the MeCN solvent molecules are involved in N⋯H–C interactions which prevent the efficient packing of adjacent sheets. Comparisons with related structures lead to some generalizations about packing motifs in salts containing [M(Phtpy)2]2+ or [M(pytpy)2]2+ cations (pytpy = 4′-pyridyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine).