The reaction of Ru 3 (CO) 12 with three equivalent of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl) pyrazole [(3, ) 2 -pz)H] at 180 C produces the double pyrazolate-bridged ruthenium complex [Ru(CO) 3 (3,5-(CF 3 ) 2 -pz)] 2 , (1), in high yield. This ruthenium complex has been characterized by spectroscopic methods, revealing a molecular structure similar to that of the diosmium analogue [Os(CO) 3 (3,5-(CF 3 ) 2 -pz)] 2 . Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of complex 1 showed an enhanced volatility compared to the parent carbonyl compound Ru 3 (CO) 12 and the closely related, unsaturated 3,5-di-tert-butyl pyrazole complex (2) [Ru 2 (CO) 5 (3,5-t-Bu 2 -pz) 2 ]. Using complex 1 as the CVD source reagent, ruthenium metal with a preferred (002) orientation can be deposited at 400 C using H 2 as the carrier gas. If, however, O 2 is used as the carrier gas, RuO 2 thin films with a (101) orientation are obtained. The as-deposited metal thin films were characterized by various surface techniques, as well as by electrical resistivity measurements.