Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 100 K; mean (C-C) = 0.003 Å; R factor = 0.016; wR factor = 0.040; data-to-parameter ratio = 17.3.In the title compound, [RuCl 2 (C 4 H 4 N 2 ) 4 ]Á2CH 2 Cl 2 , the Ru II atom occupies a position of 222 symmetry and the C atom of the solvent molecule occupies a site with twofold symmetry. The Ru II atom has a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. The pyrazine rings are propeller-like and rotated 45.1 (1) from the RuN 4 plane. In the crystal, the complex and solvent molecules are bridged by weak C-HÁ Á ÁN hydrogen bonds along the c axis. Weak intermolecular C-HÁ Á ÁCl contacts link the complexes in the ab plane, forming a network.
Related literatureThe synthesis of the title complex and its use as a building block in coordination networks are described by Carlucci et al.
ExperimentalCrystal data [RuCl 2 (C 4 Table 1 Hydrogen-bond geometry (Å , ). We thank Austin College (Cullen Funds) for supporting innovative undergraduate education and the Welch Foundation (AD-0007) for a chemistry department grant furthering undergraduate research. We also recognize the work of Jessie H. Berger, Tehreem Bilal, Michela L. Brumfield, Raven M. Clark, Edward J. Selvik, Jacob B. Smith, and Hans H. Yoon, who, as fellow students with WK and AER in an advanced inorganic lab, synthesized and attempted to grow crystals of the title compound.