The reaction of the cationic hydride complex [RuH(eta(6)-benzene)(Binap)]CF3SO3 with PPh3 at 80 degreesC afforded complex 4 in excellent yield. The reaction with tri(p-tolyl) phosphine afforded an analogous compound, 5. After loss of the complexed benzene, the Ru-cation generated chooses to stabilize itself by coordinating the proximate naphthyl ring at the expense of one of the two phosphorus donors. The solid-state structure of 4 is reported and reveals that the eta(6) arene is strongly distorted towards a eta(4)-mode. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.