Three compounds containing the Ru-2(6+) core have been prepared by clean and convenient synthetic routes : [Ru-2(ap)(4)(OH2)][CF3SO3](2), [Ru-2(ap)(4)F][PF6], and [Ru-2(ap)(4)Cl][FeCl4] (ap = anilinopyridinate). The third one has been structurally characterized from a crystal of [Ru-2(ap)(4)Cl][FeCl4]. 2.5CH(2)Cl(2) and contains the Ru-2(6+) core in a coordination environment identical to that of an Ru-2(5+) compound. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group , with a = 9.660(2) Angstrom, b = 16.237(3) Angstrom, c = 17.724(4) Angstrom, alpha = 86.34(3)degrees, beta = 77.19(3)degrees, gamma = 78.34(3)degrees, and Z = 2. The Ru-Ru distance is 2.301(1) Angstrom, and the magnetic moment indicates the presence of two unpaired electrons. A sigma(2) pi(4) delta(2) pi(*2) electron configuration is inferred.