Synthesis, characterisation and reactions of ruthenium(II) complexes based upon [RuL3]2+ (L3 = tripodal triseleno- or tritelluro-ether) fragments. Structures of [RuCl2(PPh3){MeC(CH2SeMe)3}] and [RuCl2(dmso){MeC(CH2SeMe)3}]

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Abstract
The reaction of [RuCl2(PPh3)3] with tripodal Group 16 donor ligands L3 {MeC(CH2EMe)3 (E = Se or Te) and MeC(CH2TePh)3} gave [RuCl2(PPh3)L3] complexes which have been characterised by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy and ES+ mass spectrometry. The structure of [RuCl2(PPh3){MeC(CH2SeMe)3}] reveals a distorted octahedral geometry with a facially co-ordinated triselenoether. The reaction of [RuCl2(dmso)4] with L3 gave [RuCl2(dmso)L3] which have similarly been characterised, including a crystal structure of [RuCl2(dmso){MeC(CH2SeMe)3}], which is fac-octahedral with S-bonded dmso. The [RuCl2(dmso)L3] species react with Ag[CF3SO3] in MeCN to produce [Ru(MeCN)3L3]2+ {L3 = MeC(CH2SeMe)3 or MeC(CH2TePh)3}. The MeCN is labile and readily replaced by a second tridentate ligand to give mixed tripod ligand complexes including [Ru{MeC(CH2SMe)3}{MeC(CH2SeMe)3}][CF3SO3]2 and [Ru{MeC(CH2SeMe)3}{MeC(CH2TePh)3}][CF3SO3]2. Attempts to generate hydride species by reaction of [Ru(MeCN)3L3]2+ with NaBH4 in ethanol bring about decomposition.