Acid dissociation of 2,2′-dipyridylamine in non-aqueous medium when chelated to some Ru(II)N4 cores

[Ru(2,2′-bipyridine)2(Hdpa)](BF4)2 · 2H2O (1), [Ru(1,10-phenanthroline)2(Hdpa)] (PF6)2 · CH2Cl2 (2) and [Ru(4,4,4′,4′-tetramethyl-2,2′- bisoxazoline)2(Hdpa)] (PF6)2 (3) are synthesized where Hdpa is 2,2′-dipyridylamine. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined. Hdpa in 1 and 2 is found to bind the metal via the two pyridyl N ends. Comparing the NMR spectra in DMSO-d6, it is concluded that 3 has a similar structure. The pKa values (for the dissociation of the NH proton in Hdpa) of free Hdpa and its complexes are determined in acetonitrile by exploiting molar conductance. These correlate linearly with the chemical shift of the NH proton in the respective entities.