A ruthenium biimidazole-like anion receptor with two chelating Nsingle bondH⋯O intramolecular hydrogen bonds

A new ruthenium biimidazole-like anion receptor featuring two “chelating” Nsingle bondH⋯O intramolecular hydrogen bonds, [Ru(bpy)2(DNBbimH2)](PF6)2 (2·(PF6)2) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; DNBbimH2 = 5,5′,6,6′-tetramethyl-7,7′-dinitro-2,2′-bibenzimidazole), has been synthesized. Its anion-binding ability towards different anions in acetonitrile has been studied.