Preparation, spectral characterization, electrochemistry, EXAFS, antibacterial and catalytic activity of new ruthenium (III) complexes containing ONS donor ligands with triphenylphosphine/arsine

New hexa‐coordinated ruthenium (III) complexes of the type [RuX(EPh 3 ) 2 (L)] (X = Cl or Br; L = dibasic tridentate Schiff base ligand; E = P or As) have been synthesized by the reactions of [RuCl 3 (PPh 3 ) 3 ], [RuCl 3 (AsPh 3 ) 3 ] or [RuBr 3 (AsPh 3 ) 3 ] with the appropriate Schiff base ligands derived by the condensation of salicylaldehyde and 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde with N(4) substituted thiosemicarbazones. All the new complexes were characterized using various physico‐chemical methods such as elemental analyses, infrared, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, magnetic moment and cyclic voltammetry. Based on the extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis, an octahedral structure has been confirmed for the complexes. The new complexes have been subjected to the catalytic activity and antibacterial studies.