Synthesis and Characterization of Heteroleptic Ru(II) Complexes Based on 4,4′‐Bis((E)‐styryl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine as Ancillary Ligand and Application for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Heteroleptic Ru(II) complexes were designed based on 4,4′‐bis((E)‐styryl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine (bsbpy) as an ancillary ligand for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and those Ru(II) sensitizers, [Ru(L)(bsbpy)(NCS)₂][TBA] (TBA; tetrabutylammonium), were synthesized according to a typical one‐pot reaction of [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ with the corresponding anchoring ligands (where L = 4,4′‐dicarboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine (dcbpy), 4,4′‐bis((E)‐carboxyvinyl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine (dcvbpy), 4,7‐dicarboxy‐1,10‐phenanthroline (dcphen), or 4,7‐bis((E)‐carboxyvinyl)‐1,10‐phenanthroline (dcvphen)). The new Ru(II) dyes, [Ru(L)(bsbpy)(NCS)₂][TBA] that incorporated vinyl spacer(s) into ancillary and/or anchoring ligand displayed red‐shifted bands over the overall UV/VIS region relative to the absorption spectra of N719 . A combination of bsbpy ancillary and dcphen anchoring ligand showed the best result for the overall power conversion efficiency (η); i.e., a DSSC fabricated with [Ru(dcphen)(bsbpy)(NCS)₂][TBA] exhibited a power conversion efficiency (η) of 2.98% (compare to N719 , 4.82%).     

Green‐emitting poly[(1,3‐phenylenevinylene)‐alt‐ (1,4‐phenylenevinylene)]s: Effect of the substitution patterns on the optical properties

Green‐emitting substituted poly[(2‐hexyloxy‐5‐methyl‐1,3‐phenylenevinylene)‐alt‐(2,5‐dihexyloxy‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene)]s ( 6 ) were synthesized via the Wittig–Horner reaction. The polymers were yellow resins with molecular weights of 10,600. The ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption of 6 (λ_max = 332 or 415 nm) was about 30 nm redshifted from that of poly[(2‐hexyloxy‐5‐methyl‐1,3‐phenylenevinylene)‐alt‐(1,4‐phenylenevinylene)] ( 2 ) but was only 5 nm redshifted with respect to that of poly[(1,3‐phenylenevinylene)‐alt‐(2,5‐dihexyloxy‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene)] ( 1 ). A comparison of the optical properties of 1 , 2 , and 6 showed that substitution on m‐ or p‐phenylene could slightly affect their energy gap and luminescence efficiency, thereby fine‐tuning the optical properties of the poly[(m‐phenylene vinylene)‐alt‐(p‐phenylene vinylene)] materials. The vibronic structures were assigned with the aid of low‐temperature UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Light‐emitting‐diode devices with 6 produced a green electroluminescence output (emission λ_max ～ 533 nm) with an external quantum efficiency of 0.32%. Substitution at m‐phenylene appeared to be effective in perturbing the charge‐injection process in LED devices. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1820–1829, 2004     

“Two‐Point” Self‐Assembly and Photoinduced Electron Transfer in meso‐Donor‐Carrying Bis(styryl crown ether)‐BODIPY–Bis(alkylammonium)fullerene Donor–Acceptor Conjugates

BF₂‐chelated dipyrromethene, BODIPY, was functionalized to carry two styryl crown ether tails and a secondary electron donor at the meso position. By using a “two‐point” self‐assembly strategy, a bis‐alkylammonium‐functionalized fullerene (C₆₀) was allowed to self‐assemble the crown ether voids of BODIPY to obtain multimodular donor–acceptor conjugates. As a consequence of the two‐point binding, the 1:1 stoichiometric complexes formed yielded complexes of higher stability in which fluorescence of BODIPY was found to be quenched; this suggested the occurrence of excited‐state processes. The geometry and electronic structure of the self‐assembled complexes were derived from B3LYP/3‐21G(*) methods in which no steric constraints between the entities was observed. An energy‐level diagram was established by using spectral, electrochemical, and computational results to help understand the mechanistic details of excited‐state processes originating from ¹bis‐styryl‐BODIPY*. Femtosecond transient absorbance studies were indicative of the formation of an exciplex state prior to the charge‐separation process to yield a bis‐styryl‐BODIPY ^{. +}–C₆₀ ^{. −} radical ion pair. The time constants for charge separation were generally lower than charge‐recombination processes. The present studies bring out the importance of multimode binding strategies to obtain stable self‐assembled donor–acceptor conjugates capable of undergoing photoinduced charge separation needed in artificial photosynthetic applications.     

Cerium‐catalyzed tandem synthesis of 2‐substituted benzothiazoles in PEG

An efficient and convenient condensation reaction of 2‐aminothiophenol with aldehydes catalyzed by a catalytic amount of ceric ammonium nitrate in polyethylene glycol was investigated. As a result, a set of diverse 2‐substituted benzothiazoles such as 2‐phenylbenzothiazole as well as its p‐Me, p‐NO₂, p‐F, p‐Cl, p‐Br, o‐OMe, p‐OMe and 2‐furyl, 2‐pyridyl and styryl derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields for 5 h at room temperature. Additionally, the catalyst system was recovered and reused several times without evident loss in activity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three styryl‐substituted tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1‐benzazepines: configurations,conformations and hydrogen‐bonded chains

(2SR,4RS)‐7‐Chloro‐2‐exo‐[(E)‐styryl]‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1,4‐epoxy‐1‐benzazepine, C₁₈H₁₆ClNO, (I), crystallizes as a racemic twin in the space group P2₁ and the molecules are linked into a chain of edge‐fused R₃³(9) rings by a combination of C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds. The diastereoisomer (2RS,4RS)‐7‐chloro‐2‐endo‐[(E)‐styryl]‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1,4‐epoxy‐1‐benzazepine, (II), also crystallizes as a racemic twin, but in the space group P2₁2₁2₁, and a two‐centre C—H...N hydrogen bond and a three‐centre C—H...(O,N) hydrogen bond combine to link the molecules into a complex chain of rings. In (2R,4R)‐7‐fluoro‐2‐endo‐[(E)‐styryl]‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1,4‐epoxy‐1‐benzazepine, C₁₈H₁₆FNO, (III), which is not isomorphous with (II), the molecules are linked by a single C—H...O hydrogen bond into simple chains, but the molecular arrangements in (II) and (III) are nonetheless very similar. The significance of this study lies in its observation of the variations in molecular configuration and conformation, and in the variation in the supramolecular aggregation, consequent upon modest changes in the peripheral substituents.     

Emission Color Tuning with Polymer Molecular Weight for Dyes of 4‐Dicyanomethylene‐2‐methyl‐6‐{4‐[(2‐hydroxyethyl)(methyl)amino]styryl}‐4H‐pyran

A series of novel polylactide (PLA) polymers were synthesized initiated by 4‐dicyanomethylene‐2‐methyl‐6‐{4‐[(2‐hydroxyethyl)(methyl)amino]styryl}‐4H‐pyran (DCM) with Sn(Oct)₂ as catalyst. The color and emission of the polymer can be tuned just with polymer molecular weight.     

Theoretical Study on Second‐order Nonlinear Optical Properties of Substituted Thiazole Derivatives

On the basis of ZINDO program, we have designed a program to calculate the nonlinear second‐order polarizability β_yk and β_μ according to the SOS expression. The second‐order nonlinear optical properties of 4‐nitro‐4′‐dimethylamino‐stilbene and a series of its thiazole derivatives were studied. The calculated results were that: When replacing a benzene ring in 4‐nitro‐4′‐dimethylamino‐stilbene by a thiazole ring, the influence on β values depends on the position of thiazole ring. When the thiazole ring connects with nitro group (acceptor), the β values increase significantly compared with corresponding stilbene derivatives. The β values of 2‐(p‐donor‐β‐styryl)‐5‐nitro‐thiazole derivatives (2–7) are larger than those of 2‐(p‐nitro‐β‐styryl)‐5‐donor‐thiazole derivatives (8–13) and 2‐(p‐donor‐phenyl)‐azo‐5‐nitro‐thiazole derivatives (14–19). The 2‐(p‐donor‐β‐styryl)‐5‐nitro‐thiazole derivatives (2–7) are good candidates as chromophores duo to their high nonlinearities and potential good thermal stability.     

一种经(E)-α-碘代烯基砜的钯催化交叉偶联反应立体选择合成(1Z,3E)-2-芳砜基取代的1,3-二烯的新方法

（E）-α-Stannylvinyl phenyl（or p-tolyl）sulfones underwent an iododestannylation reaction to afford （E）-α-iodovinyl phenyl（or p-tolyl）sulfones 1, which reacted with （E）-alkenylzirconium（IV） complexes 2 produced in situ by hydrozirconation of terminal alkynes in the presence of a Pd（PPh3）4 catalyst to afford stereoselectively （1Z,3E）-2- phenyl（or p-tolyl）sulfonyl-substituted 1,3-dienes 3 in good yields.     

New 2,6‐Distyryl‐Substituted BODIPY Isomers: Synthesis,Photophysical Properties,and Theoretical Calculations

A 2,6‐distyryl‐substituted boradiazaindacene (BODIPY) dye and a new series of 2,6‐p‐dimethylaminostyrene isomers containing both α‐ and β‐position styryl substituents were synthesized by reacting styrene and p‐dimethylaminostyrene with an electron‐rich diiodo‐BODIPY. The dyes were characterized by X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy and their photophysical properties were investigated and analyzed by carrying out a series of theoretical calculations. The absorption spectra contain markedly redshifted absorbance bands due to conjugation between the styryl moieties and the main BODIPY fluorophore. Very low fluorescence quantum yields and significant Stokes shifts are observed for 2,6‐distyryl‐substituted BODIPYs, relative to analogous 3,5‐distyryl‐ and 1,7‐distyryl‐substituted BODIPYs. Although the fluorescence of the compound with β‐position styryl substituents on both pyrrole moieties and one with both β‐ and α‐position substituents was completely quenched, the compound with only α‐position substituents exhibits weak emission in polar solvents, but moderately intense emission with a quantum yield of 0.49 in hexane. Protonation studies have demonstrated that these 2,6‐p‐dimethylaminostyrene isomers can be used as sensors for changes in pH. Theoretical calculations provide strong evidence that styryl rotation and the formation of non‐emissive charge‐separated S₁ states play a pivotal role in shaping the fluorescence properties of these dyes. Molecular orbital theory is used as a conceptual framework to describe the electronic structures of the BODIPY core and an analysis of the angular nodal patterns provides a reasonable explanation for why the introduction of substituents at different positions on the BODIPY core has markedly differing effects.     

Synthesis and Structure of Low‐valent η4‐Cinnamaldehyde Cobalt Complexes

Three η⁴‐(C=C–C=O) coordination cobalt(I) complexes 1 – 3 were synthesized by the reactions of cinnamaldehyde, p‐fluorocinnamaldehyde, and p‐chlorocinnamaldehyde with CoMe(PMe₃)₄. Complex 4 as η²‐(C=C) coordination was prepared by the reaction of chalcone with Co(PMe₃)₄. The structures of complexes 1 – 4 were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Although the reactions didn't undergo C–H bond activation and decarbonylation, the formation of complexes 1 – 4 deepens our understanding of the reactions between α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde or ketone with low‐valent central cobalt atom.     

trans‐(Cl)‐[Ru(5,5′‐diamide‐2,2′‐bipyridine)(CO)2Cl2]: Synthesis,Structure, and Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Activity

A series of trans‐(Cl)‐[Ru(L)(CO)₂Cl₂]‐type complexes, in which the ligands L are 2,2′‐bipyridyl derivatives with amide groups at the 5,5′‐positions, are synthesized. The C‐connected amide group bound to the bipyridyl ligand through the carbonyl carbon atom is twisted with respect to the bipyridyl plane, whereas the N‐connected amide group is in the plane. DFT calculations reveal that the twisted structure of the C‐connected amide group raises the level of the LUMO, which results in a negative shift of the first reduction potential (E_p) of the ruthenium complex. The catalytic abilities for CO₂ reduction are evaluated in photoreactions (λ>400 nm) with the ruthenium complexes (the catalyst), [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine; the photosensitizer), and 1‐benzyl‐1,4‐dihydronicotinamide (the electron donor) in CO₂‐saturated N,N‐dimethylacetamide/water. The logarithm of the turnover frequency increases by shifting E_p a negative value until it reaches the reduction potential of the photosensitizer.     

Electronic spectra and first‐order hyperpolarizability of 4‐(dicyanomethylene)‐2,6‐bis‐ (2′‐thiophene‐vinyl)‐pyran derivatives

On the basis of the ZINDO program, we have designed a program to calculate the first‐order hyperpolarizability β_ijk and β_μ according to the sum‐over‐states (SOS) expression. The first‐order hyperpolarizability of 4‐(dicyanomethylene)‐2,6‐bis‐(2′‐thiophene‐vinyl)‐pyran derivatives were studied. The calculated results were that the 4‐(dicyanomethylene)‐2,6‐bis‐(2′‐thiophene‐vinyl)‐pyran derivatives exhibit good nonlinearity with their β₀ values, which are slightly less than that of the corresponding 2,6‐bis‐styryl‐4‐(dicyanomethylene)‐pyran derivatives. It does not agree with the auxiliary donor–acceptor effects theory. The 4‐(dicyanomethylene)‐2,6‐bis‐(2′‐thiophene‐vinyl)‐pyran derivatives, having two low‐lying electronic excited states that contribute to the molecular hyperpolarizability in an additive manner, are good candidates as chromophores due to their high nonlinearities and good thermal stability. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 82: 65–72, 2001     

π‐Ruthenium Complexes of Hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1): A Triple‐Decker Complex Bearing Two Ruthenoarene Units

Ruthenium(II) π‐coordination onto [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) has been accomplished. Reactions of bis‐Au^III and mono‐Au^III complexes of hexakis(pentafluorophenyl) [28]hexaphyrin with [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ in the presence of NaOAc gave the corresponding π‐ruthenium complexes, in which the [(p‐cymene)Ru]^II fragment sat on the deprotonated side pyrrole. A similar reaction of the bis‐Pd^II [26]hexaphyrin complex afforded a triple‐decker complex, in which the two [(p‐cymene)Ru]^II fragments sat on both sides of the center of the [26]hexaphyrin framework.     

On the Reactivity of Platina‐β‐diketones – Synthesis and Characterization of Acylplatinum(II) Complexes

The platina‐β‐diketones [Pt₂{(COR)₂H}₂(μ‐Cl)₂] ( 1 , R = Me a , Et b ) react with phosphines L in a molar ratio of 1 : 4 through cleavage of acetaldehyde to give acylplatinum(II) complexes trans‐[Pt(COR)Cl(L)₂] ( 2 ) (R/L = Me/P(p‐FC₆H₄)₃ a , Me/P(p‐CH₂=CHC₆H₄)Ph₂ b , Me/P(n‐Bu)₃ c , Et/P(p‐MeOC₆H₄)₃ d ). 1 a reacts with Ph₂As(CH₂)₂PPh₂ (dadpe) in a molar ratio of 1 : 2 through cleavage of acetaldehyde yielding [Pt(COMe)Cl(dadpe)] ( 3 a ) (configuration index: SP‐4‐4) and [Pt(COMe)Cl(dadpe)] (configuration index: SP‐4‐2) ( 3 b ) in a ratio of about 9 : 1. All acyl complexes were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of 2 a and 3 a were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The geometries at the platinum centers are close to square planar. In both complexes the plane of the acyl ligand is nearly perpendicular to the plane of the complex (88(2)° 2 a , 81.2(5)° 3 a ).     

Catalytic hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl picolinate by copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of N‐(2‐deoxy‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐2‐salicylaldimino)

D‐glucosamine Schiff base N‐(2‐deoxy‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐2‐salicylaldimino) and its Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl picolinate (PNPP) catalyzed by ligand and complexes was investigated kinetically by observing the rates of the release of p‐nitrophenol in the aqueous buffers at 25°C and different pHs. The scheme for reaction acting mode involving a ternary complex composed of ligand, metal ion, and substrate was established and the reaction mechanisms were discussed by metal–hydroxyl and Lewis acid mechanisms. The experimental results indicated that the complexes, especially the Cu(II) complex, efficiently catalyzed the hydrolysis of PNPP. The catalytic reactivity of the Zn(II) complex was much smaller than the Cu(II) complex. The rate constant k_N showing the catalytic reactivity of the Cu(II) complex was determined to be 0.299 s^?1 (at pH 8.02) in the buffer. The pK_a of hydroxyl group of the ternary complex was determined to be 7.86 for the Cu(II) complex. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 345–350, 2002     

Catalytic synthesis of styryl‐capped isotactic polypropylenes

Bis‐styrenic molecules, 1,4‐divinylbenzene (DVB) and 1,2‐bis(4‐vinylphenyl)ethane (BVPE), were successfully combined with hydrogen (H₂) to form consecutive chain transfer complexes in propylene polymerization mediated by an isospecific metallocene catalyst (i.e., rac‐dimethylsilylbis(2‐methyl‐4‐phenylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, I ) activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), rendering a catalytic access to styryl‐capped isotactic polypropylenes (i‐PP). The chain transfer reaction took place in a unique way where prior to the ultimate chain transfer DVB/H₂ or BVPE/H₂ caused a copolymerization‐like reaction leading to the formation of main chain benzene rings. A preemptive polymer chain reinsertion was deduced after the consecutive actions of DVB/H₂ or BVPE/H₂, which gave the styryl‐terminated polymer chain alongside a metal‐hydride active species. It was confirmed that the chain reinsertion occurred in a regio‐irregular 1,2‐fashion, which contrasted with a normal 2,1‐insertion of styrene monomer and ensured subsequent continuous propylene insertions, directing the polymerization to repeated DVB or BVPE incorporations inside polymer chain. Only as a competitive reaction, the insertion of propylene into metal‐hydride site broke the chain propagation resumption process while completed the chain transfer process by releasing the styryl‐terminated polymer chain. BVPE was found with much higher chain transfer efficiency than DVB, which was attributed to its non‐conjugated structure with much divided styrene moieties resulting in higher polymerization reactivity but lower chain reinsertion tendency. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3709–3713, 2010     

Synthesis and characterization of well‐defined ABC 3‐Miktoarm star‐shaped terpolymers based on poly(styrene), poly(ethylene oxide), and poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) by combination of the “living” anionic polymerization with the ring‐opening polymerization

A series of well‐defined ABC 3‐Miktoarm star‐shaped terpolymers [Poly(styrene)‐Poly(ethylene oxide)‐Poly(ε‐caprolactone)](PS‐PEO‐PCL) with different molecular weight was synthesized by combination of the “living” anionic polymerization with the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) using macro‐initiator strategy. Firstly, the “living” poly(styryl)lithium (PS^?Li⁺) species were capped by 1‐ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether(EEGE) quantitatively and the PS‐EEGE with an active and an ethoxyethyl‐protected hydroxyl group at the same end was obtained. Then, using PS‐EEGE and diphenylmethylpotassium (DPMK) as coinitiator, the diblock copolymers of (PS‐b‐PEO)_p with the ethoxyethyl‐protected hydroxyl group at the junction point were achieved by the ROP of EO and the subsequent termination with bromoethane. The diblock copolymers of (PS‐b‐PEO)_d with the active hydroxyl group at the junction point were recovered via the cleavage of ethoxyethyl group on (PS‐b‐PEO)_p by acidolysis and saponification successively. Finally, the copolymers (PS‐b‐PEO)_d served as the macro‐initiator for ROP of ε‐CL in the presence of tin(II)‐bis(2‐ethylhexanoate)(Sn(Oct)₂) and the star(PS‐PEO‐PCL) terpolymers were obtained. The target terpolymers and the intermediates were well characterized by ¹H‐NMR, MALDI‐TOF MS, FTIR, and SEC. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1136–1150, 2008     

Synthesis and structures of photoactive manganese–carbonyl complexes derived from 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole and 2‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole

PhotoCORMs (photo‐active CO‐releasing molecules) have emerged as a class of CO donors where the CO release process can be triggered upon illumination with light of appropriate wavelength. We have recently reported an Mn‐based photoCORM, namely [MnBr(pbt)(CO)₃] [pbt is 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole], where the CO release event can be tracked within cellular milieu by virtue of the emergence of strong blue fluorescence. In pursuit of developing more such trackable photoCORMs, we report herein the syntheses and structural characterization of two Mn^I–carbonyl complexes, namely fac‐tricarbonylchlorido[2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole‐κ²N ,N ′]manganese(I), [MnCl(C₁₂H₈N₂S)(CO)₃], (1), and fac‐tricarbonylchlorido[2‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole‐κ²N ,N ′]manganese(I), [MnCl(C₁₆H₁₀N₂S)(CO)₃], (2). In both complexes, the Mn^I center resides in a distorted octahedral coordination environment. Weak intermolecular C—H…Cl contacts in complex (1) and Cl…S contacts in complex (2) consolidate their extended structures. These complexes also exhibit CO release upon exposure to low‐power broadband visible light. The apparent CO release rates for the two complexes have been measured to compare their CO donating capacity. The fluorogenic 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole and 2‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole ligands provide a convenient way to track the CO release event through the `turn‐ON' fluorescence which results upon de‐ligation of the ligands from their respective metal centers following CO photorelease.     

Homopolymerization of ω‐Styryl‐Polystyrene Macromonomers in the Presence of CpTiF3/MAO

Summary: ω‐Styryl‐polystyrene macromonomers were synthesized by anionic induced deactivation reactions. Their homopolymerization in the presence of a fluorinated half‐sandwich metallocene catalyst (CpTiF₃/MAO) was investigated. In spite of the intrinsic lower reactivity of these macromonomers with respect to the micromolecular monomer, coordination homopolymerization was possible. The influence of several experimental parameters on the polymerization yield and degree could be demonstrated. In most cases, under identical experimental conditions, higher polymerization yields and degrees were observed with respect to the CpTiCl₃/MAO catalyst.

The synthesis of p‐polystyryl‐substituted styrene derivatives by the homopolymerization of ω‐styryl‐polystyrene macromonomers in the presence of CpTiF₃.     

Synthesis and characterization of new complexes of the type [Ru(CO)2Cl2 (2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN) (2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN′)]. Preliminary applications in homogeneous catalysis

Novel ruthenium (II) complexes were prepared containing 2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine derivatives. The coordination modes of these ligands were modified by addition of coordinating solvents such as water into the ethanolic reaction media. Under these conditions 1,8‐naphthyridine (napy) moieties act as monodentade ligands forming unusual [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐ kN )(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN′)] complexes. The reaction was reproducible when different 2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine derivatives were used. On the other hand, when dry ethanol was used as the solvent we obtained complexes with napy moieties acting as a chelating ligand. The structures proposed for these complexes were supported by NMR spectra, and the presence of two ligands in the [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐ kN )(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN′)] type complexes was confirmed using elemental analysis. All complexes were tested as catalysts in the hydroformylation of styrene showing moderate activity in N,N′‐dimethylformamide. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.