they are classified as soft.

Typical nitrile ligands are acetonitrile, propionitrile, and benzonitrile. The structures of [Ru(NH₃)₅(NCPh)]ⁿ⁺ have been determined for the 2+ and 3+ oxidation states. Upon oxidation the Ru-NH₃ distances contract and the Ru-NCPh distances elongate, consistent with amines serving as pure-sigma donor ligands and nitriles functioning as pi-acceptors.

Synthesis and reactions

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