Effect of Nonchromophoric Ligands on the Spectral Characteristics of Ruthenium(II) (2,2'-Bipyridine)diphosphine Complexes

The electronic absorption and luminescence spectra of the complexes cis-[Ru(bpy)(dppe)X₂] [bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, dppe is 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] in 4 : 1 ethanol-methanol mixtures at 77 and 293 K were measured, and the luminescence decay times were determined. As the field strength of the nonchromophoric ligand X increases in the order I^- < Br^- < Cl^- < 1/2(CO₃ ^{2 -}) < NCS^- < NO₂ ^- < CN^-, the electronic transitions are blue-shifted, and the luminescence decay time becomes longer.     

Mixed-Ligand Ruthenium(II) Complexes as Structural Units of Polynuclear Systems

Spectral and kinetic parameters were studied for phosphine-bipyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes, namely, cis-[Ru(Bipy)₂(PPh₃)X](BF₄), cis-[Ru(Bipy)(Dppe)X₂], and cis-[Ru(Bipy)(Dppene)X₂] (where Bipy is 2,2"-bipyridyl, PPh₃is triphenylphosphine, Dppe is 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, and Dppene iscis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene; X = CN^–, NO₂ ^–), in the frozen (77 K) alcohol glasses (EtOH–MeOH, 4 : 1). The energies of the singlet and triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer states d(Ru) *(Bipy) were found to increase in the order [Ru(Bipy)₂X₂] < [Ru(Bipy)₂(PPh₃)X]⁺< [Ru(Bipy)(Dppe)X₂] < [Ru(Bipy)(Dppene)X₂]. The luminescence quantum yields and the rate constants of the nonradiative deactivation of the lowest excited state ³MLCT increase in the same order.     

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic property of ruthenium-terpyridyl complexes

The known compound 4′-(carboxyphenyl)-2,2′:6,2″-terpyridine (LH) was prepared and complexed with RuCl₃.3H₂O. The resulting complex [Ru(LH)Cl₃] was then allowed to react separately with 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) and 1,2-bis-(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe). The compositions of corresponding complexes [Ru(LH)bpyCl](BF₄) 1, [Ru(LH)phenCl](BF₄) 2, [Ru(LH)(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)₂] (BF₄)₂3 and [Ru(LH)(dppe)Cl](BF₄) 4 were assigned on the basis of their FAB-mass spectra, elemental analysis, spectroscopic (IR, NMR) data and X-ray diffraction measurements. The diamagnetic, cationic complexes displayed strong MLCT transitions in the visible region with significant shift in MLCT band energy corresponding to the strength of substituted ligands. The redox behaviour of the complexes was investigated using cyclic voltammetry measurements. Among all the complexes, 3 efficiently catalyzed the synthesis of propargylamine via three components coupling reaction.     

Chemistry of Ruthenium Polypyridine Complexes: VI. Synthesis and Photochemistry of cis-[Ru(bpy)2(bipy)X]q Complexes

Complexes cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(bipy)(X)] ^{n +} [bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl, bipy = 4,4'-bipyridyl, X = Br^-, ONO^-, CN^- (n = 1); MeCN, PPh₃ (n = 2), and NO⁺ (n = 3)] were synthesized. Irradiation of acetonitrile solutions of the complexes with X = Cl^-, Br^-, ONO^-, NO₂-, CN^-, NH₃, MeCN, and PPh₃ by visible light results in photosubstitution of 4,4'-bipyridyl by a solvent molecule. The electronic absorption spectra of the complexes were assigned on the basis of quantum-chemical calculations. A correlation was revealed between photolysis quantum yields and charges transferred from ligands X upon their coordination.     

Chemistry of Ruthenium Polypyridine Complexes: IX. Nitro-Nitrosyl Equilibrium in cis-[Ru(2,2'-bpy)2(L)NO2]+ Complexes

Ruthenium(II) bisbipyridyl complexes cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(L)NO₂](BF₄) (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridyl) with 4-substituted pyridine ligands L = 4-(Y)py (Y = NH₂, Me, Ph, and CN) were obtained. The equilibrium constants of the reversible nitro-nitrosyl transition [Ru(bpy)₂(L)NO₂]⁺ + 2H⁺ [Ru(bpy)₂(L)NO]^{3 +} + H₂O were measured in solutions with pH 1.5-8.5 (ionic strength 0.4). The constants correlate with the protonation constants of free ligands 4-(Y)py.     

Chemistry of ruthenium in N2P2X2 (X = Cl, Br) coordination sphere: Synthesis, characterization and reactivities

Reaction of 2-(phenylazo)pyridine (pap) with [Ru(PPh₃)₃X₂] (X = Cl, Br) in dichloromethane solution affords [Ru(PPh₃)₂(pap)X₂]. These diamagnetic complexes exhibit a weakdd transition and two intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. In dichloromethane solution they display a one-electron reduction of pap near − 0.90 V vs SCE and a reversible ruthenium(II)-ruthenium(III) oxidation near 0.70 V vs SCE. The [Ru^III(PPh₃)₂(pap)Cl₂]⁺ complex cation, generated by coulometric oxidation of [Ru(PPh₃)₂(pap)Cl₂], shows two intense LMCT transitions in the visible region. It oxidizes N,N-dimethylaniline and [Ru^II(bpy)₂Cl₂] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) to produce N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbenzidine and [Ru^III(bpy)₂Cl₂]⁺ respectively. Reaction of [Ru(PPh₃)₂(pap)X₂] with Ag⁺ in ethanol produces [Ru(PPh₃)₂(pap)(EtOH)₂]²⁺ which upon further reaction with L (L = pap, bpy, acetylacetonate ion(acac⁻) and oxalate ion (ox²⁻)) gives complexes of type [Ru(PPh₃)₂(pap)(L)]ⁿ⁺ (n = 0, 1, 2). All these diamagnetic complexes show a weakdd transition and several intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. The ruthenium(II)-ruthenium(III) oxidation potential decreases in the order (of L): pap > bpy > acac⁻ > ox²⁻. Reductions of the coordinated pap and bpy are also observed.     

Syntheses and characterization of cyano-bridged homo and hetero bimetallic complexes containing η and η-cyclic hydrocarbons

The reactions of [(ind)Ru(PPh₃)₂CN] (ind = η⁵-C₉H₇) (1) and [CpRu(PPh₃)₂CN] (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) (2) with [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(bipy)Cl]Cl (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) (3) in the presence of AgNO₃/NH₄BF₄ in methanol, respectively, yielded dicationic cyano-bridged complexes of the type [(ind)(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(bipy)(η⁶-p-cymene)](BF₄)₂ (4) and [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(bipy)(η⁶-p-cymene)](BF₄)₂ (5). The reaction of [CpRu(PPh₃)₂CN] (2), [CpOs(PPh₃)₂CN] (6) and [CpRu(dppe)CN] (7) with the corresponding halide complexes and [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ formed the monocationic cyano-bridge complexes [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Os(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (8), [Cp(PPh₃)₂Os(μ- CN)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (9) and [Cp(dppe)Ru(μ-CN)Os(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (10) along with the neutral complexes [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru (η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (11), [Cp(PPh₃)₂Os(μ-CN)Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (12), and [Cp(dppe) Ru(μ-CN)Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (13). These complexes were characterized by FT IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structures of complexes 4, 8 and 11 were solved by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Further Evidence for ‘Extended’ Cumulene Complexes: Derivatives from Reactions with Halide Anions and Water

Reactions of [Ru{C=C(H)-1,4-C₆H₄C≡CH}(PPh₃)₂Cp]BF₄ ([ 1 a ]BF₄) with hydrohalic acids, HX, results in the formation of [Ru{C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C(X)=CH₂}(PPh₃)₂Cp] [X=Cl ( 2 a-Cl ), Br ( 2 a-Br )], arising from facile Markovnikov addition of halide anions to the putative quinoidal cumulene cation [Ru(=C=C=C₆H₄=C=CH₂)(PPh₃)₂Cp]⁺. Similarly, [M{C=C(H)-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH}(LL)Cp ]BF₄ [M(LL)Cp’=Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp ([ 1 a ]BF₄); Ru(dppe)Cp* ([ 1 b ]BF₄); Fe(dppe)Cp ([ 1 c ]BF₄); Fe(dppe)Cp* ([ 1 d ]BF₄)] react with H⁺/H₂O to give the acyl-functionalised phenylacetylide complexes [M{C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C(=O)CH₃}(LL)Cp’] ( 3 a – d ) after workup. The Markovnikov addition of the nucleophile to the remote alkyne in the cations [ 1 a–d ]⁺ is difficult to rationalise from the vinylidene form of the precursor and is much more satisfactorily explained from initial isomerisation to the quinoidal cumulene complexes [M(=C=C=C₆H₄=C=CH₂)(LL)Cp’]⁺ prior to attack at the more exposed, remote quaternary carbon. Thus, whilst representative acetylide complexes [Ru(C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH)(PPh₃)₂Cp] ( 4 a ) and [Ru(C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH)(dppe)Cp*] ( 4 b ) reacted with the relatively small electrophiles [CN]⁺ and [C₇H₇]⁺ at the β-carbon to give the expected vinylidene complexes, the bulky trityl ([CPh₃]⁺) electrophile reacted with [M(C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH)(LL)Cp’] [M(LL)Cp’=Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp ( 4 a ); Ru(dppe)Cp* ( 4 b ); Fe(dppe)Cp ( 4 c ); Fe(dppe)Cp* ( 4 d )] at the more exposed remote end of the carbon-rich ligand to give the putative quinoidal cumulene complexes [M{C=C=C₆H₄=C=C(H)CPh₃}(LL)Cp’]⁺, which were isolated as the water adducts [M{C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C(=O)CH₂CPh₃}(LL)Cp’] ( 6 a–d ). Evincing the scope of the formation of such extended cumulenes from ethynyl-substituted arylvinylene precursors, the rather reactive half-sandwich (5-ethynyl-2-thienyl)vinylidene complexes [M{C=C(H)-2,5-^cC₄H₂S-C≡CH}(LL)Cp’]BF₄ ([ 7 a – d ]BF₄ add water readily to give [M{C≡C-2,5-^cC₄H₂S-C(=O)CH₃}(LL)Cp’] ( 8 a – d )].     

Chemistry of Polypyridine Ruthenium Complexes: VII. Electronic Structure and Photochemistry of cis-[Ru(2,2'-bpy)2(L)(Cl)]+ Complexes

The electronic absorption spectra and photochemical behavior of the complexes of cis-[Ru(bpy)₂ · (L)(Cl)]⁺ (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridyl) with pyridine (L = py) and 4-substituted pyridines [L = methyl-, amino-, and cyanopyridine, and 4,4'-bipyridyl (bipy)]. Photoirradiation of acetonitrile solutions of the complexes results in substitution of ligand L by a solvent molecule. A correlation was revealed between the photolysis quantum yield and the coordination-induced ligand L-to-metal charge transfer.     

Substitution reactions of [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(3)][OTf](2)

The labile nature of the coordinated water ligands in the organometallic aqua complex [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(3)][OTf](2) (1) (dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2); OTf = OSO(2)CF(3)) has been investigated through substitution reactions with a range of incoming ligands. Dissolution of 1 in acetonitrile or dimethyl sulfoxide results in the facile displacement of all three waters to give [Ru(dppe)(CO)(CH(3)CN)(3)][OTf](2) (2) and [Ru(dppe)(CO)(DMSO)(3)][OTf](2) (3), respectively. Similarly, 1 reacts with Me(3)CNC to afford [Ru(dppe)(CO)(CNCMe(3))(3)][OTf](2) (4). Addition of 1 equiv of 2,2'-bipyridyl (bpy) or 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (Me(2)bpy) to acetone/water solutions of 1 initially yields [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(bpy)][OTf](2) (5a) and [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(Me(2)bpy)][OTf](2) (6a), in which the coordinated water lies trans to CO. Compounds 5a and 6a rapidly rearrange to isomeric species (5b, 6b) in which the ligated water is trans to dppe. Further reactivity has been demonstrated for 6b, which, upon dissolution in CDCl(3), loses water and coordinates a triflate anion to afford [Ru(dppe)(CO)(OTf)(Me(2)bpy)][OTf] (7). Reaction of 1 with CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)SH gives the dinuclear bridging thiolate complex [[(dppe)Ru(CO)](2)(mu-SCH(2)CH(2)CH(3))(3)][OTf] (8). The reaction of 1 with CO in acetone/water is slow and yields the cationic hydride complex [Ru(dppe)(CO)(3)H][OTf] (9) via a water gas shift reaction. Moreover, the same mechanism can also be used to account for the previously reported synthesis of 1 upon reaction of Ru(dppe)(CO)(2)(OTf)(2) with water (Organometallics 1999, 18, 4068).     

Thiosemicarbazone complexes of the platinum metals. A story of variable coordination modes

Salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (H₂saltsc) reacts with [M(PPh₃)₃X₂] (M = Ru, Os; X = Cl, Br) to afford complexes of type [M(PPh₃)₂(Hsaltsc)₂], in which the salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone ligand is coordinated to the metal as a bidentate N,S-donor forming a four-membered chelate ring. Reaction of benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones (Hbztsc-R) with [M(PPh₃)₃X₂] also affords complexes of similar type, viz. [M(PPh₃)₂(bztsc-R)₂], in which the benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones have also been found to coordinate the metal as a bidentate N,S-donor forming a four-membered chelate ring as before. Reaction of the Hbztsc-R ligands has also been carried out with [M(bpy)₂X₂] (M = Ru, Os; X = Cl, Br), which has afforded complexes of type [M(bpy)₂(bztsc-R)]⁺, which have been isolated as perchlorate salts. Coordination mode of bztsc-R has been found to be the same as before. Structure of the Hbztsc-OMe ligand has been determined and some molecular modelling studies have been carried out determine the reason for the observed mode of coordination. Reaction of acetone thiosemicarbazone (Hactsc) has then been carried out with [M(bpy)₂X₂] to afford the [M(bpy)₂(actsc)]ClO₄ complexes, in which the actsc ligand coordinates the metal as a bidentate N,S-donorformingafive-membered chelate ring. Reaction of H₂saltsc has been carried out with [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂] to prepare the [Ru(bpy)₂(Hsaltsc)]ClO₄ complex, which has then been reacted with one equivalent of nickel perchlorate to afford an octanuclear complex of type [Ru(bpy)₂(saltsc-H)₄Ni₄](ClO₄)₄.     

Chemistry of Electronically Excited Ruthenium Polypyridine Complexes: III.1 Electronic Structure of Complexes cis-[Ru(2,2'-bpy)2(4,4'-bipy)(X)]q

The results of ab initio quantum-chemical calculations of isolated ruthenium(II) complexes cis- [Ru(bpy)₂(bipy)(X)]⁴4q (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridyl, bipy is 4,4'-bipyridyl; X = NH₃, Cl^-, Br^-, CN^-, NO^- ₂, ONO^-, MeCN, and NO⁺) are presented. Analysis of the charge distributions and the orbital structures of the complex ions points to absence of strong -acceptor bonds Ru-bpy, Ru-bipy, and Ru-X (X = NO⁺), to delocalization of -electron density under the action of strong donors X, to localized nature of lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals, and to special position of the nitrosyl complexes in this series.     

Synthesis of trans-[Re(NO)2-(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2][BF4], a formal dinitrosyl complex of rhenium(-I) and its protic denitrosylation. X-Ray structure of trans-[ReF(NO)-(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2][BF4]

Treatment of a THF solution of trans-[ReCl(N₂)(dppe)₂] (dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) with NO, in the presence of Tl[BF₄], forms trans-[Re(NO)₂(dppe)₂][BF₄], a rare formal 20-electron d⁸-rhenium nitrosyl complex which, by reaction with HX (X = BF₄, Cl or HSO₄), gives trans-[ReF(NO)(dppe)₂][BF₄] (2) (the X-ray structure of which is reported) or trans-[ReX(NO)(dppe)₂]X (3, X = Cl or HSO₄), respectively, as well as nitrous oxide.     

Hydrogen Bonding Network of 4‐Amidiniumpyridine Acetate and PtIIbis(triphenylphosphine) Complexes with 4‐Amidine­pyridine

The X‐ray structures of 4‐amidiniumpyridine acetate, ( 1· H)AcO, and of cis‐[Pt( 1 )₂(PPh₃)₂](NO₃)₂ ( 2 ), as well as their IR spectra, reveal intramolecular hydrogen bonding, which held together the cations and the anions. The IR spectroscopic data suggest that this may be so also in cis‐[PtCl( 1 )(PPh₃)₂](BF₄) ( 3 ). In ( 1· H)AcO and in 2 extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding networks span through the whole crystals.     

Synthesis,characterization and antineoplastic activity of 5-chloro-2,3-dihydroxypyridine transition metal complexes

Synthetic procedures are described that allow access to cis-[Mo₂O₅(cdhp)₂]^2?, cis-[W₂O₅(Hcdhp)₂], trans-[OsO₂(cdhp)₂]^2?, trans-[UO₂(Hcdhp)₂], [ReO(PPh₃)(Hcdhp)₂]X (X =?Cl, I), [ReO₂(cdhp)₂]^?, [M(PPh₃)₂(cdhp)], [M(bpy)(cdhp)] (M(II) =?Pd, Pt), [Ru(YPh₃)₂(Hcdhp)₂] (Y =?P, As), [Rh(Hcdhp)₂Cl(H₂O)], [Rh(PPh₃)₂(Hcdhp)₂]ClO₄ and [Ir(bpy)(cdhp)Cl₂], where Hcdhp, cdhp are the deprotonated monoanion of 5-chloro-3-hydroxypyrid-2-one and dianion of 5-chloro-2,3-dihydroxypyridine, respectively. These complexes were characterized by their Raman, IR, ¹H NMR, electronic and mass spectra, conductivity, magnetic and thermal measurements. H₂cdhp, cis-K₂[Mo₂O₅(cdhp)₂], [Pd(bpy)(cdhp)] display a significant antineoplastic activity against Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EAC).     

The Indigo Isomer Epindolidione as a Redox-Active Bridging Ligand for Diruthenium Complexes

Epindolidione (H₂L), a heteroatom-modified analogue of tetracene and a structural isomer of indigo, forms dinuclear complexes with [RuX₂]²⁺, X=bpy (2,2′-bipyridine, [ 1 ]²⁺) or pap (2-phenylazopyridine, [ 2 ]²⁺), in its doubly deprotonated bridging form μ-L²⁻. The dications in compounds meso-[ 1 ](ClO₄)₂ and meso-[ 2 ](ClO₄)₂, [X₂Ru(μ-L)RuX₂](ClO₄)₂, contain five-membered chelate rings N-C−C-O-Ru^II with π bridged metals at an intramolecular distance of 7.19 Å. Stepwise reversible oxidation and reduction is mainly ligand centered (oxidation: L²⁻; reduction: X), as deduced from EPR of one-electron oxidized and reduced intermediates and from UV/Vis/NIR spectroelectrochemistry, supported by TD-DFT calculation results. The results for [ 1 ](ClO₄)₂ and [ 2 ](ClO₄)₂ are qualitatively similar to the ones observed with the deprotonated indigo-bridged isomers with their six-membered chelate ring structures, confirming the suitability of both π systems for molecular electronics applications, low-energy absorptions, and multiple electron transfers.     

Synthesis,characterization, and metal complexes of polyacetylenes with pendant 2,2′‐bipyridyl groups

5‐Ethynyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine ( 1 ; bpyC≡CH) polymerized in the presence of catalytic amounts of [RhF(COD)(PPh₃)] or [Rh(μ‐OH)(COD)]₂ (COD = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) in 74–91% yields. In contrast, [Rh(μ‐X)(NBD)]₂ (X = Cl or OMe; NBD = norbornadiene) did not catalyze the polymerization of 1 or gave low yields of the polymer. The obtained polymer, poly(5‐ethynyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) [ 2 ; (bpyC?CH)_n], was highly stereoregular with a predominant cis–transoidal geometry. Random copolyacetylenes containing the 2,2′‐bipyridyl group with improved solubility in organic solvents were obtained by the treatment of a mixture of 1 and phenylacetylene ( 3 ) or 1‐ethynyl‐4‐n‐pentyl‐benzene with catalytic amounts of [RhF(COD)(PPh₃)]. A block copolymer of 1 and 3 was prepared by the addition of 1 to a poly(phenylacetylene) containing a living end. The reaction of 2 with [Mo(CO)₆] produced an insoluble polymer containing [Mo(CO)₄(bpy)] groups, whereas with [RuCl₂(bpy)₂] or [Ru(bpy)₂(CH₃COCH₃)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂, it gave soluble metal–polymer complexes containing [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ groups. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43:3167–3177, 2005     

Studies of η5-cyclichydrocarbon ruthenium(II) complexes containing para-amino-N-(pyrid-2-ylmethylene)phenylamine ligand: molecular structure of [(η5-C5H5)Ru(PPh3)(C5H4NCH=N-C6H4-p-NH2)]BF4

Reaction of [(η⁵-Cp)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl] (1) with excess para-amino-N-(pyrid-2-ylmethylene)-phenylamine ligand (app) in methanol in the presence of NH₄BF₄ leads to the formation of [η⁵-CpRu(PPh₃)(aap)]BF₄ (6BF₄). Similarly, [(η⁵-ind)Ru(PPh₃)₂(CH₃CN)]BF₄ (4BF₄) and [(η⁵-Cp*)Ru(PPh₃)₂(CH₃CN)]BF₄ (5BF₄) react with app to yield the cationic complexes [(η⁵-ind)Ru(PPh₃)(app)]BF₄ (7BF₄) and [(η⁵-Cp*)Ru(PPh₃)(app)]BF₄ (8BF₄), respectively. The complexes were characterized by analysis and spectroscopic data. The structure of a representative complex (6BF₄) was established by single-crystal X-ray methods.     

Chemistry of Ruthenium Polypyridine Complexes: VIII. Electronic Structure and Reactivity of cis-[Ru(2,2'-Bpy)2(L)Cl]+ Complexes in Excited States

Ab initio and semiempirical CINDO/CI calculations of free ligands L and complexes cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(L)Cl]⁺ [bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl, L = pyridine, 3-cyanopyridine, 4-picoline, nicotinamide, isonicotinamide, 4-picoline, 4-aminopyridine, 4,4'-bipyridyl (bipy), trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene, 4,4'-azopyridine, pyrazine (pyz), and imidazole] were used to study the interrelation between the electronic structures of the ligands and the complexes in the ground and electronically excited states and to interpret the electronic absorption spectra of the complexes. The quantum yields for photosubstitution of a solvent molecule for a ligand L were measured; for L = pyz and bipy, photolysis quantum yields as a function of irradiation wave-length were studied. The possibility of population of ligand-field photoactive states from overlying charge-transfer states and the associative mechanism of ligand photosubstitution were discussed.