Reactions of hydrated ruthenium chloride with 2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyranone, ethylmaltol (etmaltH) and with 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone (dmppH) are described. The former results in the formation of Ru(etmalt) 3 , but the course of the latter depends on conditions, producing the earlier-characterised Ru(dmmp) 3 Cl in ethanol-water solution, Ru(dmmp) 3 in aqueous solution under mild conditions, and Ru(dmpp) 2 (H 2 O) 2 after extended refluxing. EXAFS studies established ruthenium-oxygen distances in Ru(etmalt) 3 and in Ru(dmmp) 3 Á 6H 2 O. Solubilities of Ru(dmmp) 3 in methanol-water mixtures reveal greater solubility in methanol than in water, and indications of a modest solubility maximum, and thus synergic solvation, in methanol-rich mixtures.