Verdazyl radicals as redox-active, non-innocent, ligands: contrasting electronic structures as a function of electron-poor and electron-rich ruthenium bis(beta-diketonate) co-ligands.

Spectroscopic, structural, and computational studies of verdazyl radical-ruthenium complexes reveal the verdazyl to be a redox-active and non-innocent ligand. The ensuing delocalization of charge is highly sensitive to the nature of the beta-diketonate co-ligands.