Relative reactivity of the dinuclear ruthenium complex [CpRu(CO)2]2 with diphenylselenyl sulphide and diphenyl disulphide

[Display omitted] •Reaction of [CpRu(CO)2]2 with diphenyl dichalcogenides.•Photocleavage of metal–metal bond to form [CpRu(CO)2] radicals.•Reaction with selenyl sulphide slower than with disulphide. The reaction of the diruthenium complex [CpRu(CO)2]2 with the diphenyl dichalcogenides was found to proceed through photoinitiation to the [CpRu(CO)2] radical. Reaction with selenyl sulphide was slower than with disulphide, which has implications for the selective targeting of the enzyme thioredoxin reductase.