Hexaammineruthenium(III) chloride
CAS 14282-91-8
Hexaammineruthenium(III) chloride is the reference outer-sphere redox couple of electrochemistry — and the workhorse mediator behind electrochemical DNA sensing, continuous glucose monitoring and electrode characterisation. Its value lies in reproducibility: because it exchanges electrons without ligand rearrangement, lot-to-lot consistency translates directly into signal consistency in a finished device.
Typical specification
| Molecular formula | [Ru(NH₃)₆]Cl₃ |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 309.61 |
| Assay | ≥ 98%; electrochemical grade ≥ 99% |
| Ruthenium content | ≥ 32.6% |
| Appearance | White to pale-yellow crystalline powder |
| Water solubility | Freely soluble (≈ 50 g/L at 20 °C) |
| Redox potential | E°′ ≈ −0.20 V vs Ag/AgCl (outer-sphere, reversible) |
| Other PGMs and base metals | ICP report per lot |
| Functional release testing | Cyclic voltammetry conformity data available per lot |
| HS code (export) | 2843900099 |
Lot-specific COA issued with every shipment. SDS and ICP elemental impurity data available on request.
Where [Ru(NH₃)₆]Cl₃ is used
Biosensor and diagnostics mediator
The signalling mediator in electrochemical DNA quantification and in glucose and lactate biosensor chemistries, where the reversible Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple shuttles electrons to the electrode at low overpotential. Because the complex binds electrostatically to the phosphate backbone of nucleic acids, it is also the standard probe for quantifying DNA surface coverage on sensor electrodes.
Electrode characterisation standard
The textbook outer-sphere probe for measuring electroactive surface area, electron-transfer kinetics and diffusion behaviour on carbon, gold, platinum and modified electrodes. Its near-ideal reversibility makes it the benchmark against which new electrode materials and screen-printed sensor batches are validated.
Ruthenium ammine coordination chemistry
A defined Ru(III) ammine starting material for preparing mixed-valence and bridged ruthenium complexes, including the Creutz–Taube ion and related systems studied in electron-transfer research.
Reduction and materials chemistry
Reduced in situ to the strongly binding Ru(II) hexaammine for nitrogen-activation studies, and used as a clean, halide-defined ammine source in ruthenium materials preparation.
Storage and shipping
Storage. Store sealed, cool and dry, protected from light. Air-stable as the solid; prepare aqueous solutions fresh, as the Ru(III) centre is slowly reduced in the presence of organics.
Shipping. Ships in sealed amber glass or fluorinated bottles with SDS by commercial courier. Not classified as dangerous goods in standard pack sizes.
Packaging. 250 mg · 1 g · 5 g · 25 g · 100 g · Production lots by contained-metal weight
Synonyms
- Ruthenium hexaammine trichloride
- Hexaammineruthenium trichloride
- Ru(NH3)6Cl3
- RuHex
- Hexaammineruthenium(III) trichloride
- Ruthenium(III) hexaammine chloride
Frequently asked questions
Can you certify electrochemical performance, not just chemical assay?
Yes. For diagnostics and sensor manufacturers we can issue cyclic voltammetry conformity data against a reference electrode alongside the standard COA, so incoming inspection can accept lots on functional behaviour rather than assay alone. Tell us your acceptance criteria and we will test against them.
How do you handle lot-to-lot reproducibility for device manufacturing?
Reproducibility is the whole point of this compound, so we treat it as a supply-chain question rather than a chemistry one: we can reserve material from a single production campaign against your forecast, hold it under one lot number, and ship in scheduled releases — which removes lot variation from your device validation entirely.
How is pricing structured?
Contained ruthenium (32.6%) is quoted against the day's Ru price plus a stated conversion charge. Ruthenium trades well below platinum and palladium per ounce, but its price has moved sharply with semiconductor and electrolyser demand — recurring volumes can be fixed forward against your production schedule.
What are the common quality failure modes to watch for?
Two: partial reduction to the Ru(II) species during storage, which shows as discolouration and a shifted voltammogram, and residual chloride-deficient ammine impurities that broaden the peak separation. Both are controlled by production route and packaging — lots ship in amber glass with production date on the COA rather than from aged warehouse stock.
Do you take back ruthenium residues?
Yes — spent solutions, off-spec lots and process residues are assayed on receipt and the recovered ruthenium credited against your next order.