A deliberate synthesis of a mononuclear trans-dimethoxide complex of ruthenium(III). X-ray crystal structure, electrochemistry and electron paramagnetic resonance

Using bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane as the bidentate N donor ligand L, the yellow compound trans-[RuIIIL2(OMe)2]ClO4 · CH2Cl2 is synthesized. It is a rare example of a mononuclear dialkoxo complex of Ru(III). It shows a quasireversible Ru(II/III) couple at −0.65 V versus NHE in acetonitrile at a Pt electrode. Its magnetic moment at room temperature corresponds to one unpaired electron. It displays a rhombic EPR spectrum in acetone at 77 K with g = 2.219, 2.062 and 1.855.