2-(4-ethoxyphenlytelluromethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran (L1) and 2-(2-{4-ethoxyphenyl}telluroethyl)-1,3-dioxane (L2):: synthesis, reactions of L1 with iodine and ligation of L1 with Ru(II), Cu(I), and Hg(II) and L2 with Ru(II).: Crystal structures of [RuCl2(p-cymene)•L1/L2]

2-(4-Ethoxyphenlytelluromethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran (L-1) and 2-(2-{4-ethoxyphenyl}telluroethyl)-1,3-dioxane (L-2) have been synthesized by reacting in situ generated ArTe-Na+ with an appropriate organic halide. The reaction of L-1 with iodine results in its diiodo derivative [L-1(I)(2)] (1). The complexes of stoichiometries [CuBrL1] (2), [HgBr2L1] (3) and [RuCl2(p-cymene)-L-1/L-2] (4/5) are synthesized. The NMR (H-1 and C-13) in conjunction with elemental analyses, molecular weight and conductance measurements were used to characterize L, L 2, 1 and the complexes 2-5. The ligands coordinate in all the complexes through Te, as indicated by the deshielding of CH2Te signals (up to similar to0.8 ppm) with respect to those of free ligands, except in the case of 2 in which bonding through CH2O has also to be invoked. Complexes 4 and 5 are characterized structurally (Ru-Te bond length: 2.619(8) and 2.642(1) Angstrom, respectively). The Ru-Cl bond lengths are in the range 2.404(3)-2.420(6) Angstrom. The Te-C(aryl) bond is shorter than the Te-C(alkyl) bond in 4 but similar in 5. The two Ru(Il) complexes are the first examples with potential (Te, O) ligands of Ar(R)Te type, which have been structurally characterized. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.