Ammine complexes of ruthenium

Abstract

The preparation of the bivalent complex of ruthenium, hexammineruthenium(II) chloride [Ru^II(NH₃)₆]Cl₂, is described. This compound is a powerful reducing agent and this property is exemplified in many of the reactions which have been studied. The isolation of the compound has made it possible to prepare several ammine complexes of ruthenium not previously described and has opened routes to known complexes previously difficult of preparation. Its reaction with sodium chloroaurate which, under certain conditions, leads to the oxidation of ruthenium to the octavalent state, is particularly noteworthy.