Despite an increasingly varied experimental data basis [1] and sophisticated theoretical approaches [2] there is still only a rudimentary understanding of which factors govern the extent of interaction between metal centers in formally symmetrical mixed-valent compounds. Such compounds can be considered as intermediates in ™degenerate∫ inner-sphere metal-to-metal electron transfer. The interplay between metal configurations, the metal±ligand interface, and the properties of the ligand bridge has to be considered. Although the mere metal±metal distance has often been used as a guideline [3] in the absence of other, less accessible parameters, it is clear from several experiments [1] that the electronic properties of the ligands mediating the metal±metal interaction may be more relevant than the metal±metal separation. However, the correlation between metal configurations and the bridge type also requires consideration, especially when using alternatives to the often studied d 5 /d 6 combination, [1, 3] familiar from prototypes, such as the Creutz±Taube ion [3a] [(H 3 N) 5 Ru-(m-pz)Ru(NH 3 ) 5 ] 5+ (pz = pyrazine) or partially oxidized biferrocenyl species. [4] Herein we describe the extraordinarily varied results for two different mixed-valent configurations that are accessible by single-electron transfer from the structurally characterized diruthenium(iii) complex 1. [5] The distinguishing feature of the ligand bridge is an unsaturated, cumulene-like, C 4 spacer which, in contrast to other C 4 -bridged dinuclear systems, [6] interacts with the metals through conventional Werner-type coordination, namely through b-diketonato chelate ligation. [5] The complex 1 could be characterized crystallographically, [7] it has an almost linear C 4 chain with localized singlebond/triple-bond alternation (Figure 1). At 13.1359(6) ä the metal±metal separation is much longer than in directly C 4connected diruthenium complexes (ca. 8.0 ä), [6] and the chelate rings are virtually perpendicular (90.98).