Substitution of trans ligands in μ-oxo-bis(μ-acetato)diruthenium(III) complexes: Synthesis and kinetic studies

[Ru2O(L)6(acetate)2](PF6)2 {L = pyridine 1; 4-picoline 2} undergo aquation in acetone–water (60:40 v/v) mixed solvent to form diaquo complexes in solution as shown by proton NMR studies. Ligands trans to the μ-oxo group are substituted. These diaquo complexes react with substituted pyridines and imidazoles to form respective disubstituted complexes. Rate constants for aquation and complexation under pseudo first order conditions of ligand are reported. Rate constants increase with increase in the basicity of incoming ligand. Disubstituted complexes proposed to be formed in solution have been isolated and characterized by elemental analyses, visible spectra, proton NMR. Single crystal X-ray structures of 4-picoline and 4-methylimidazole disubstituted complexes are reported. All the isolated complexes exhibit a strong peak between 570 and 585 nm in their visible absorption spectra. λmax varies linearly with ∑pka of terminal ligands. In disubstituted complexes of 1 with 2-methyl and 4-methyl imidazole deprotonation of N(1)H of methylimidazoles takes place in solution.