Use of a Ru/Os-CO-diiodide precursor to synthesize heteroleptic 1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole complexes: The structural characterization, electrochemistry and catalytic activity

► Ru(II)-/Os(II)-diiodide-carbonyl complexes of 1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazoles are reported. ► Their structures have been established by X-ray diffraction measurements. ► Cyclic voltammetry shows metal oxidation and reduction of the chelated azoimine function. ► The complexes show catalytic activity for the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes/ketones by NMO. ► DFT calculations of the optimized structures explain the origin of the spectra and redox properties.