Redox induced S-S bond cleavage of 2,2'-dithiobisbenzothiazole - leading to a [2Ru-2S] core analogous to [2Fe-2S] cluster.

Facile reduction of 2,2'-dithiobisbenzothiazole by the mediation of metal-to-ligand charge transfer or by internal reducing equivalent is demonstrated. It leads to various binding modes of thiolates (κ1, κ2, μ) in a series of mononuclear and dinuclear ruthenium complexes. The dinuclear complex exhibited electron transfer processes similar to a [2Fe-2S] cluster.