The protonation with Brønsted acids HB (HBF 4 and CF 3 CO 2 H) of [RuH 2 (arene)(PPh 2 Het)] derivatives (PPh 2 Het = dpim, Het = 2-N-methylimidazolyl; PPh 2 Het = PPh 2 py, Het = 2-pyridyl) that contain uncoordinated N atoms has been analyzed experimentally by NMR spectroscopy and through computational studies. Initially, at low temperature, the uncoordinated N atoms of the phosphine are protonated and a proton−hydride exchange is observed by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The proton transfer leads to the corresponding cationic trihydride intermediates, which exhibit a dual character of classical and nonclassical hydrides, with the nonclassical species being more stable, especially when Het = 2-pyridyl. In fact, the release of H 2 and the formation of the respective monohydride complexes [RuH(arene)(κ 2 -N,P-PPh 2 Het)]B was observed at room temperature. The participation of the uncoordinated N center in the proton transfer process in the stabilization of RuH(H 2 ) + with respect to RuH 3 + species and in the hydride−dihydrogen exchange (cis effect) are discussed. Calculations on the complex [RuH 3 (p-cymene)(PPh 3 )] + have also been carried out for the sake of comparison. A dual character was also found, but in this case the classical species is more stable. H/D exchange of the hydride ligands of the dihydride complexes, using CD 3 OD as the deuterium source, has been studied. The very rapid deuterium labeling of H 2 , catalyzed by the aforementioned dihydrides, has been observed. The known compound [RuH 2 (p-cymene)(PPh 3 )] is also active in this labeling process, and the possible mechanism for both the H/D exchange and the deuterium labeling of H 2 is discussed in light of theoretical studies.