The reaction of RuTp(COD)Cl with 1 equivof RC
6H
4SSC
6H
4R (R = H, Me) in boiling DMF affordsthe complexes [RuTp(
2(
S,
S')-S-C
6H
3R-S-C
6H
4R)(CO)] containing 2-arylmercapto-arylmercaptan andCO ligands. The formation of this unusual productinvolves decomposition of the solvent DMF with releaseof the base HNMe
2 acting as HCl scavenger. Thisoutcome contrasts sharply with an otherwise similarreaction of disulfides with cationic [RuCp(CH
3CN)
3]
+,investigated previously, generating dinuclear Ru(III)-Ru(III) complexes with bridging thiolate ligands.