A series of water soluble compounds of general formula [{(Eta sup(6)-arene)Ru(HMP)Cl}], [Eta sup(6)-arene = Eta sup(6)-cymene (1), eta sup(6)-HMB (2), eta sup(6)-C sub(6)H sub(6) (3); HMP = 5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-pyrone] have been prepared by the reaction of [{(eta sup(6)-arene) RuCl sub(2)}sub(2)] with HMP. The complexes 1 and 2 react with NaN sub(3) to give in excellent yield tetra-azido complexes [{(Eta sup(6)-arene)Ru(Mu N sub(3))N sub(3)}sub(2)] (arene = cymene 4, HMB = 5) but similar reaction of complex 3 with NaN sub(3) yielded di-azdo complex [{(Eta sup(6)-C sub(6)H sub(6))Ru(Mu N sub(3))Cl}sub(2)] (6). Reaction of [{(Eta sup(6)-arene)Ru(Mu N sub(3))Cl} sub(2)] with HMP in the presence of NaOMe resulted in the formation of azido complex [{(Eta sup(6)-arene)Ru(HMP)N sub(3)}]. Mono and dinuclear complexes [{(Eta sup(6)-arene)Ru(HMP)(L sub(1))}] + and [{(Eta sup(6)-arene) Ru(HMP)} sub(2)(Mu L sub(2))]2+ were also prepared by the reaction of complexes 1 and 2 with the appropriate ligand, L sub(1) or L sub(2) in the presence of AgBF sub(4) (L sub(1) = PyCN, DMAP; L sub(2) = 4,4`-bipy, pyrazine). The complexes are characterized on the basis of spectroscopic data and molecular structures of three representative compounds have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study