Aryl halide coordination to Ru(II): crystal structure of mer,trans-[RuCl2(PPh3){PPh2CH2C(But)NNCH(C6H3F2-2,6)}]

The X-ray crystal structure determination of mer,trans-[RuCl2(PPh3){PPh2CH2C(But)=NN=CH(C6H3F2-2,6)}] (3a) showed the RuF bond distance to be 2.367 Å. Treatment of the mixed-azine phosphines Z,E-PPh2CH2C(But)NNCH(C6H4X-2), X=Cl (2c); X=Br (2d); X=I (2e) with the labile Ru(II) complex [RuCl2(PPh3)3] gave chelate complexes mer,trans-[RuCl2(PPh3){PPh2CH2C(But)NNCH(C6H4X-2)], X=Cl (3c); X=Br (3d); X=I (3e) where the halogen atom is interacting with the Ru(II) centre. Elemental analytical, IR, mass and NMR data are given.