Reactions of ruthenium(III) ammine complexes. I. Competing acid hydrolysis and redox reactions of pentaammineruthenium(III) ions

A study of acid hydrolysis of acidopentaammines of ruthenium(III) shows that aquation is not the only reaction taking place. For the halopentaammines, both in the presence and absence of light, reduction occurs with the formation of ruthenium(II) and free halogen. When azide, instead of halide ion, is coordinated to the metal, ruthenium(II) nitrogen complexes can be prepared. The solid state decomposition of [Ru(trien)(N3)2]+ ion to [Ru(trien)N3N2]+ is described.