Three {Ru(p-cym)}(2+) (p-cym = p-cymene) derivatives of [Nb(6)O(19)](8-)-[Nb(6)O(19){Ru(p-cym)}](6-) (Nb(6)Ru(1)), trans-[Nb(6)O(19){Ru(p-cym)}(2)](4-) (t-Nb6Ru2), and [Nb(6)O(19){Ru(p-cym)}(4)] (Nb(6)Ru(4))--have been synthesized in water by reaction between [Ru(p-cym)Cl(2)](2) and the hexaniobate. In the solid state, Nb(6)Ru(1) and Nb(6)Ru(4) have been characterized by IR and EDX spectroscopies, whereas t-Nb(6)Ru(2) has been characterized by IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (crystal data for K(4)-trans-[Nb(6)O(19){Ru(p-cym)}(2)].14H(2)O (K(4)-t-Nb(6)Ru(2).14H(2)O). In solution, all compounds were characterized by (1)H NMR and ESI mass spectrometry analyses, and Nb(6)Ru(1) was also analyzed by (17)O NMR. These studies allowed a comparison of the differences in behaviour of the three complexes in water: Nb(6)Ru(1) is particularly stable, Nb(6)Ru(4) decomposes by loss of {Ru(p-cym)}(2+) fragments, and trans-[Nb(6)O(19){Ru(p-cym)}(2)](4-) isomerizes into cis-[Nb(6)O(19){Ru(p-cym)}(2)](4-). A rational mechanism for the isomerisation of t-Nb(6)Ru(2) is proposed on the basis of a kinetic study.