Preparation of hexacoordinating benzimidazole containing ligand and hexakis(benzimidazole-ruthenium(II)) complex. Molecular structure of C6{CH2-(N-benzimidazole-RuCl2(p-cymene))}6.

A hexabenzimidazole ligand was synthesised and used to prepare a hexakis{benzimidazole-ruthenium(II)} complex containing six RuCl(2)(arene) units of which the X-ray structure analysis shows a helical arrangement with alternating up and down benzymidazole-ruthenium(II) branches attached to a central benzene ring. The reactivity of the prepared complex with phosphite and carbonate was investigated and revealed the weakness of (benzimidazole)N-Ru bonds and the release of the polydentate ligand.