trans-[RuIII(N-N)2Cl2]+ species, where N-N is bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane

Using bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane as an N-N donor ligand, a trans-[RuIII(N-N)2Cl2]+ core has been isolated from the direct reaction of the ligand with RuCl3 · xH2O and characterized structurally for the first time. The core displays a rhombic EPR spectrum and a quasireversible Ru(II/III) couple with an E1/2 of −0.34 V versus NHE.