Redox Behavior of New Ru–Dioxolene–Ammine Complexes and Catalytic Activity toward Electrochemical Oxidation of Alcohol under Mild Conditions

The new Ru–dioxolene–ammine complexes, [RuII(NH3)(sq)(trpy)](ClO4) (1, sq = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzosemiquinone, trpy = 2,2ʹ:6ʹ,2"-terpyridine) and [RuIII(NH3)(sq)(trpy)](ClO4)2 (2), were prepared. They have an ability to oxidize MeOH and i-PrOH catalytically under very mild conditions such as the electrolysis at 0 V (vs SCE) in CH2Cl2.