Mode of formation of polymeric [{Ru(bipy)(CO) 2 } n ](bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) films

Electrochemical generation of the organometallic polymer [{Ru0(bipy)(CO)2}n] by reduction of [RuII(trans-Cl2)(bipy)(CO)2] proceeded via the formation of the corresponding dimer [{RuI(trans-Cl)(bipy)(CO)2}2] and a tetrameric species; only dimers were formed by electroreduction of the [RuII(cis-Cl2)(bipy)(CO)2] isomer or [RuIICl(bipy){cis-(CO)2}(CO2Me)].