Ru(II) complexes imparting N2O2 donor bis chelating ligand N,N′-bis(salicylidine)-hydrazine in unusual coordination mode

The synthesis and characterization of binuclear ruthenium complexes [{(η6-C6H6)Ru}2(μ-bsh)2] (1), [{(η6-C10H14)Ru}2(μ-bsh)2] (2), [{(η6-C6Me6)Ru}2(μ-bsh)2] (3), and rhodium complex [{(η5-C5Me5)RhCl}2(μ-bsh)] (4) (bsh=N,N′-bis(salicylidine)-hydrazine dianion) are reported. The complexes have been fully characterized by analytical and spectral techniques and unusual coordination mode of the ligand H2bsh has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis of the complex 2. Structural data revealed extensive inter- and intra-molecular C–H⋯O and C–H⋯π interactions and involvement of methyl and isopropyl hydrogen from the p-cymene in hydrogen bonding.