The kinetics of the solvolytic aquation of trans-[Ru (3-Me Py) 4 Cl 2 ] was studied spectrophotometrically in waterisopropanol in the range (30-90% v/v), and water acetonitrile in the range (10-70% v/v), and in the temperature range 50-65°C. Plots of log k versus the reciprocal of the relative permittivity and Grunwald-Winstien gave nonlinear plots. This non-linearity is derived from a large differential effect of solvent structure between the initial and transition states. The plot of log k versus water concentration was also non linear; evidence for the presence of a S N 1 mechanism. However, extrema in the variation of enthalpy DH* and entropy DS* of activation correlate well with the extrema in physical properties of the mixtures which are related to changes in solvent structure. Linear plots of DH* versus DS* were obtained and the iso-kinetic temperature indicates that the reaction is entropy controlled.