The preparations are reported of neutral and cationic (dialkylsufide)(eta-6-arene)ruthenium(II) complexes of the types (eta-6-arene)Cl2Ru(SR2), [(eta-6-arene)ClRu(SR2)2]+ and [(eta-6-arene)ClRu(SR2)(L)]+. These complexes containing labile R2S-Ru bonds can be used in the ready generation of 16 electron ruthenium moieties for the activation of terminal alkynes and access to cationic (carbene)(eta-6-arene)ruthenium(II) derivatives such as {(1,3,5-Me3C6H3)ClRu(SMe2)[C(OMe)CH2Ph]}+ and {(C6Me6)ClRu(PMe3)[C(OMe)CH2Ph]}+.