Theoretical Modelling of Photoswitching of Hyperpolarisabilities in Ruthenium Complexes

Static excited‐state polarisabilities and hyperpolarisabilities of three Ru^II ammine complexes are computed at the density functional theory (DFT) and several correlated ab initio levels. Most accurate modelling of the low energy electronic absorption spectrum is obtained with the hybrid functionals B3LYP, B3P86 or M06 for the complex [Ru^II(NH₃)₅(MeQ⁺)]³⁺ (MeQ⁺=N‐methyl‐4,4′‐bipyridinium, 3 ) in acetonitrile. The match with experimental data is less good for [Ru^II(NH₃)₅L]³⁺ (L=N‐methylpyrazinium, 2 ; N‐methyl‐4‐{E,E‐4‐(4‐pyridyl)buta‐1,3‐dienyl}pyridinium, 4 ). These calculations confirm that the first dipole‐ allowed excited state (FDAES) has metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) character. Both the solution and gas‐phase results obtained for 3 by using B3LYP, B3P86 or M06 are very similar to those from restricted active‐space SCF second‐order perturbation theory (RASPT2) with a very large basis set and large active space. However, the time‐dependent DFT λ_max predictions from the long‐range corrected functionals CAM‐B3LYP, LC‐ωPBE and wB97XB and also the fully ab initio resolution of identity approximate coupled‐cluster method (gas‐phase only) are less accurate for all three complexes. The ground state (GS) two‐state approximation first hyperpolarisability β_2SA for 3 from RASPT2 is very close to that derived experimentally via hyper‐Rayleigh scattering, whereas the corresponding DFT‐based values are considerably larger. The β responses calculated by using B3LYP, B3P86 or M06 increase markedly as the π‐conjugation extends on moving along the series 2 → 4 , for both the GS and FDAES species. All three functionals predict substantial FDAES β enhancements for each complex, increasing with the π‐conjugation, up to about sevenfold for 4 . Also, the computed second hyperpolarisabilities γ generally increase in the FDAES, but the results vary between the different functionals.     

A New Heteroleptic Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complex with Long‐Wavelength Absorption and High Singlet‐Oxygen Quantum Yield

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes with long‐wavelength absorption and high singlet‐oxygen quantum yield exhibit attractive potential in photodynamic therapy. A new heteroleptic Ru^II polypyridyl complex, [Ru(bpy)(dpb)(dppn)]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, dpb=2,3‐bis(2‐pyridyl)benzoquinoxaline, dppn=4,5,9,16‐tetraaza‐dibenzo[a,c]naphthacene), is reported, which exhibits a ¹MLCT (MLCT: metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer) maximum as long as 548 nm and a singlet‐oxygen quantum yield as high as 0.43. Steady/transient absorption/emission spectra indicate that the lowest‐energy MLCT state localizes on the dpb ligand, whereas the high singlet‐oxygen quantum yield results from the relatively long ³MLCT(Ru→dpb) lifetime, which in turn is the result of the equilibrium between nearly isoenergetic excited states of ³MLCT(Ru→dpb) and ³ππ*(dppn). The dppn ligand also ensures a high binding affinity of the complex towards DNA. Thus, the combination of dpb and dppn gives the complex promising photodynamic activity, fully demonstrating the modularity and versatility of heteroleptic Ru^II complexes. In contrast, [Ru(bpy)₂(dpb)]²⁺ shows a long‐wavelength ¹MLCT maximum (551 nm) but a very low singlet‐oxygen quantum yield (0.22), and [Ru(bpy)₂(dppn)]²⁺ shows a high singlet‐oxygen quantum yield (0.79) but a very short wavelength ¹MLCT maximum (442 nm).     

Near‐Infrared Light‐Driven Hydrogen Evolution from Water Using a Polypyridyl Triruthenium Photosensitizer

In order to realize artificial photosynthetic devices for splitting water to H₂ and O₂ (2 H₂O+hν→2 H₂+O₂), it is desirable to use a wider wavelength range of light that extends to a lower energy region of the solar spectrum. Here we report a triruthenium photosensitizer [Ru₃(dmbpy)₆(μ‐HAT)]⁶⁺ (dmbpy=4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, HAT=1,4,5,8,9,12‐hexaazatriphenylene), which absorbs near‐infrared light up to 800 nm based on its metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (¹MLCT) transition. Importantly, [Ru₃(dmbpy)₆(μ‐HAT)]⁶⁺ is found to be the first example of a photosensitizer which can drive H₂ evolution under the illumination of near‐infrared light above 700 nm. The electrochemical and photochemical studies reveal that the reductive quenching within the ion‐pair adducts of [Ru₃(dmbpy)₆(μ‐HAT)]⁶⁺ and ascorbate anions affords a singly reduced form of [Ru₃(dmbpy)₆(μ‐HAT)]⁶⁺, which is used as a reducing equivalent in the subsequent water reduction process.     

Heptametallic,Octupolar Nonlinear Optical Chromophores with Six Ferrocenyl Substituents

New complexes with six ferrocenyl (Fc) groups connected to Zn^II or Cd^II tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl) cores are described. A thorough characterisation of their BPh₄^? salts includes two single‐crystal X‐ray structures, highly unusual for such species with multiple, extended substituents. Intense, visible d(Fe^II)→π* metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) bands accompany the π→π* intraligand charge‐transfer absorptions in the near UV region. Each complex shows a single, fully reversible Fe^III/II wave when probed electrochemically. Molecular quadratic nonlinear optical (NLO) responses are determined by using hyper‐Rayleigh scattering and Stark spectroscopy. The latter gives static first hyperpolarisabilities β₀ reaching as high as approximately 10^?27 esu and generally increasing with π‐conjugation extension. Z‐scan cubic NLO measurements reveal high two‐photon absorption cross‐sections σ₂ of up to 5400 GM in one case. DFT calculations reproduce the π‐conjugation dependence of β₀, and TD‐DFT predicts three transitions close in energy contributing to the MLCT bands. The lowest energy transition has octupolar character, whereas the other two are degenerate and dipolar in nature.     

Complete Photochromic Structural Changes in Ruthenium(II)?Diimine Complexes,Based on Control of the Excited States by Metalation

The thermal and photochemical reactions of a newly synthesized complex, [Ru^II(TPA)(tpphz)]²⁺ ( 1 ; TPA=tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine, tpphz=tetrapyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c:3′′,2′′‐h: 2′′′,3′′′‐j]phenazine), and its derivatives have been investigated. Heating a solution of complex 1 (closed form) and its derivatives in MeCN caused the partial dissociation of one pyridylmethyl moiety of the TPA ligand and the resulting vacant site on the Ru^II center was occupied by a molecule of MeCN from the solvent to give a dissociated complex, [Ru^II(η³‐TPA)(tpphz)(MeCN)]²⁺ ( 1′ , open form), and its derivatives, respectively, in quantitative yields. The thermal dissociation reactions were investigated on the basis of kinetics analysis, which indicated that the reactions proceeded through a seven‐coordinate transition state. Although the backwards reaction was induced by photoirradiation of the MLCT absorption bands, the photoreaction of complex 1′ reached a photostationary state between complexes 1 and 1′ and, hence, the recovery of complex 1 from complex 1′ was 67 %. Upon protonation of complex 1 at the vacant site of the tpphz ligand, the efficiency of the photoinduced recovery of complex 1 +H⁺ from complex 1′ +H⁺ improved to 83 %. In contrast, dinuclear μ‐tpphz complexes 2 and 3 , which contained the Ru^II(TPA)(tpphz) unit and either a Ru^II(bpy)₂ or Pd^IICl₂ moiety on the other coordination edge of the tpphz ligand, exhibited 100 % photoconversion from their open forms into their closed forms ( 2′ → 2 and 3′ → 3 ). These results are the first examples of the complete photochromic structural change of a transition‐metal complex, as represented by complete interconversion between its open and closed forms. Scrutinization by performing optical and electrochemical measurements allowed us to propose a rationale for how metal coordination at the vacant site of the tpphz ligand improves the efficiency of photoconversion from the open form into the closed form. It is essential to lower the energy level of the triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer excited state (³MLCT*) of the closed form relative to that of the triplet metal‐centered excited state (³MC*) by metal coordination. This energy‐level manipulation hinders the transition from the ³MLCT* state into the ³MC* state in the closed form to block the partial photodissociation of the TPA ligand.     

Alcohol oxidation reactions catalyzed by ruthenium–carbonyl complexes of thioarylazoimidazoles

Alcohols are oxidized by N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide (NMO), Bu^tOOH and H₂O₂ to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones in the presence of catalyst, [RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂(SRaaiNR′)]PF₆ ( 2 ) and [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)(S_κRaaiNR′)]PF₆ ( 3 ) (SRaaiNR′ ( 1 ) = 1‐alkyl‐2‐{(o‐thioalkyl)phenylazo}imidazole, a bidentate N(imidazolyl) (N), N(azo) (N′) chelator and S_κRaaiNR′ is a tridentate N(imidazolyl) (N), N(azo) (N′), S_κ‐R is tridentate chelator; R and R′ are Me and Et). The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of [RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂(SMeaaiNMe)]PF₆ ( 2a ) (SMeaaiNMe = 1‐methyl‐2‐{(o‐thioethyl)phenylazo}imidazole) and [RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂(SEtaaiNEt)]PF₆ ( 2b ) (SEtaaiNEt = 1‐ethyl‐2‐{(o‐thioethyl)phenylazo}imidazole) show bidentate N,N′ chelation, while in [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)(S_κEtaaiNEt)]PF₆ ( 3b ) the ligand S_κEtaaiNEt serves as tridentate N,N′,S chelator. The cyclic voltammogram shows Ru^III/Ru^II (~1.1 V) and Ru^IV/Ru^III (~1.7 V) couples of the complexes 2 while Ru^III/Ru^II (1.26 V) couple is observed only in 3 along with azo reductions in the potential window +2.0 to ?2.0 V. DFT computation has been used to explain the spectra and redox properties of the complexes. In the oxidation reaction NMO acts as best oxidant and [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)(S_κRaaiNR′)](PF₆) ( 3 ) is the best catalyst. The formation of high‐valent Ru^IV=O species as a catalytic intermediate is proposed for the oxidation process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photosensitized Generation of Singlet Oxygen from (Substituted Bipyridine)ruthenium(II) Complexes

Photophysical properties in dilute MeCN solution are reported for seven Ru^II complexes containing two 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) ligands and different third ligands, six of which contain a variety of 4,4′‐carboxamide‐disubstituted 2,2′‐bipyridines, for one complex containing no 2,2′‐bipyridine, but 2 of these different ligands, for three multinuclear Ru^II complexes containing 2 or 4 [Ru(bpy)₂] moieties and also coordinated via 4,4′‐carboxamide‐disubstituted 2,2′‐bipyridine ligands, and for the complex [(Ru(bpy)₂(L)]²⁺ where L is N,N′‐([2,2′‐bipyridine]‐4,4′‐diyl)bis[3‐methoxypropanamide]. Absorption maxima are red‐shifted with respect to [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, as are phosphorescence maxima which vary from 622 to 656 nm. The lifetimes of the lowest excited triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer states ³MLCT in de‐aerated MeCN are equal to or longer than for [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and vary considerably, i.e., from 0.86 to 1.71 μs. Rate constants k_q for quenching by O₂ of the ³MLCT states were measured and found to be well below diffusion‐controlled, ranging from 1.2 to 2.0⋅10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The efficiencies f of singlet‐oxygen formation during oxygen quenching of these ³MLCT states are relatively high, namely 0.53 – 0.89. The product of k_q and f gives the net rate constant k for quenching due to energy transfer to produce singlet oxygen, and k_q−k equals k, the net rate constant for quenching due to energy dissipation of the excited ³MLCT states without energy transfer. The quenching rate constants were both found to correlate with ΔG^CT, the free‐energy change for charge transfer from the excited Ru complex to oxygen, and the relative and absolute values of these rate constants are discussed.     

Mapping the Transformation [{RuII(CO)3Cl2}2]→[RuI2(CO)4]2+: Implications in Binuclear Water–Gas Shift Chemistry

The complete sequence of reactions in the base‐promoted reduction of [{Ru^II(CO)₃Cl₂}₂] to [Ru^I₂(CO)₄]²⁺ has been unraveled. Several μ‐OH, μ:κ²‐CO₂H‐bridged diruthenium(II) complexes have been synthesized; they are the direct results of the nucleophilic activation of metal‐coordinated carbonyls by hydroxides. The isolated compounds are [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ:κ²‐C,O‐CO₂H)₂(μ‐OH)(NP^F‐Am)₂][PF₆] ( 1 ; NP^F‐Am=2‐amino‐5,7‐trifluoromethyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine) and [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ:κ²‐C,O‐CO₂H)(μ‐OH)(NP‐Me₂)₂][BF₄]₂ ( 2 ), secured by the applications of naphthyridine derivatives. In the absence of any capping ligand, a tetranuclear complex [Ru₄(CO)₈(H₂O)₂(μ³‐OH)₂(μ:κ²‐C,O‐CO₂H)₄][CF₃SO₃]₂ ( 3 ) is isolated. The bridging hydroxido ligand in 1 is readily replaced by a π‐donor chlorido ligand, which results in [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ:κ²‐C,O‐CO₂H)₂(μ‐Cl)(NP‐PhOMe)₂][BF₄] ( 4 ). The production of [Ru₂(CO)₄]²⁺ has been attributed to the thermally induced decarboxylation of a bis(hydroxycarbonyl)–diruthenium(II) complex to a dihydrido–diruthenium(II) species, followed by dinuclear reductive elimination of molecular hydrogen with the concomitant formation of the Ru^I? Ru^I single bond. This work was originally instituted to find a reliable synthetic protocol for the [Ru₂(CO)₄(CH₃CN)₆]²⁺ precursor. It is herein prescribed that at least four equivalents of base, complete removal of chlorido ligands by Tl^I salts, and heating at reflux in acetonitrile for a period of four hours are the conditions for the optimal conversion. Premature quenching of the reaction resulted in the isolation of a trinuclear Ru^I₂Ru^II complex [{Ru(NP‐Am)₂(CO)}{Ru₂(NP‐Am)₂(CO)₂(μ‐CO)₂}(μ₃:κ³‐C,O,O′‐CO₂)][BF₄]₂ ( 6 ). These unprecedented diruthenium compounds are the dinuclear congeners of the water–gas shift (WGS) intermediates. The possibility of a dinuclear pathway eliminates the inherent contradiction of pH demands in the WGS catalytic cycle in an alkaline medium. A cooperative binuclear elimination could be a viable route for hydrogen production in WGS chemistry.     

Stability and Nonlinear Optical Response of Alkalides that Contain a Completely Encapsulated Superalkali Cluster

Guided by density functional theory (DFT) computations, a new series of superalkali‐based alkalides, namely FLi₂⁺(aza222)K^?, OLi₃⁺(aza222)K^?, NLi₄⁺(aza222)K^?, and Li₃⁺(aza222)K^? were designed with various superalkali clusters embedded into an aza222 cage‐complexant. These species possess diverse isomeric structures in which the encapsulated superalkalis preserve their identities and behave as alkali metal atoms. The results show that these novel alkalides possess larger complexation energies and enhanced hyperpolarizabilities (β₀) compared with alkali‐metal‐based and previous superalkali‐based clusters. Especially, a prominent structural dependence of β₀ is observed for these studied compounds. Hence, the geometric factors that affect the nonlinear optical (NLO) response of such alkalides is elucidated in detail in this work. This study not only provides novel candidates for alkalides, it also offers an effective way to enhance the NLO response and stability of alkalides.     

Judicious Ligand Design in Ruthenium Polypyridyl CO2 Reduction Catalysts to Enhance Reactivity by Steric and Electronic Effects

A series of Ru^II polypyridyl complexes of the structural design [Ru^II(R?tpy)(NN)(CH₃CN)]²⁺ (R?tpy=2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (R=H) or 4,4′,4′′‐tri‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (R=tBu); NN=2,2′‐bipyridine with methyl substituents in various positions) have been synthesized and analyzed for their ability to function as electrocatalysts for the reduction of CO₂ to CO. Detailed electrochemical analyses establish how substitutions at different ring positions of the bipyridine and terpyridine ligands can have profound electronic and, even more importantly, steric effects that determine the complexes’ reactivities. Whereas electron‐donating groups para to the heteroatoms exhibit the expected electronic effect, with an increase in turnover frequencies at increased overpotential, the introduction of a methyl group at the ortho position of NN imposes drastic steric effects. Two complexes, [Ru^II(tpy)(6‐mbpy)(CH₃CN)]²⁺ (trans‐[ 3 ]²⁺; 6‐mbpy=6‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) and [Ru^II(tBu?tpy)(6‐mbpy)(CH₃CN)]²⁺ (trans‐[ 4 ]²⁺), in which the methyl group of the 6‐mbpy ligand is trans to the CH₃CN ligand, show electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction at a previously unreactive oxidation state of the complex. This low overpotential pathway follows an ECE mechanism (electron transfer–chemical reaction–electron transfer), and is a direct result of steric interactions that facilitate CH₃CN ligand dissociation, CO₂ coordination, and ultimately catalytic turnover at the first reduction potential of the complexes. All experimental observations are rigorously corroborated by DFT calculations.     

Redox Non‐Innocence and Isomer‐Specific Oxidative Functionalization of Ruthenium‐Coordinated β‐Ketoiminate

This article deals with isomeric ruthenium complexes [Ru^III(L^R)₂(acac)] (S=1/2) involving unsymmetric β‐ketoiminates (AcNac) (L^R=R‐AcNac, R=H ( 1 ), Cl ( 2 ), OMe ( 3 ); acac=acetylacetonate) [R=para‐substituents (H, Cl, OMe) of N‐bearing aryl group]. The isomeric identities of the complexes, cct (cis‐cis‐trans, blue, a ), ctc (cis‐trans‐cis, green, b ) and ccc (cis‐cis‐cis_, pink, c ) with respect to oxygen (acac), oxygen (L) and nitrogen (L) donors, respectively, were authenticated by their single‐crystal X‐ray structures and spectroscopic/electrochemical features. One‐electron reversible oxidation and reduction processes of 1 – 3 led to the electronic formulations of [Ru^III(L)(L ^? )(acac)]⁺ and [Ru^II(L)₂(acac)]^? for 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ (S=1) and 1^? – 3^? (S=0), respectively. The triplet state of 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ was corroborated by its forbidden weak half‐field signal near g≈4.0 at 4 K, revealing the non‐innocent feature of L. Interestingly, among the three isomeric forms ( a – c in 1 – 3 ), the ctc ( b in 2 b or 3 b ) isomer selectively underwent oxidative functionalization at the central β‐carbon (C?H→C=O) of one of the L ligands in air, leading to the formation of diamagnetic [Ru^II(L)(L ′ )(acac)] (L ′ =diketoimine) in 4 / 4′ . Mechanistic aspects of the oxygenation process of AcNac in 2 b were also explored via kinetic and theoretical studies.     

Novel dinuclear and trinuclear ruthenium clusters derived from 2‐aryl‐substituted indenylphosphines via C─H bond cleavage

Treatment of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with an equivalent of (2‐phenyl‐1H ‐inden‐3‐yl)dicyclohexylphosphine ( 1 ) and (2‐pyridyl‐1H ‐inden‐1‐yl)dicyclohexylphosphine ( 4 ) in refluxing heptane gave the novel trinuclear ruthenium clusters (μ₃‐η¹:η²:η⁵–2‐phenyl‐3‐Cy₂PC₉H₄)Ru₃(CO)₈ ( 1c ) and [μ₂‐η¹–2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐3‐Cy₂PC₉H₆]Ru₃(CO)₉ ( 4a ), respectively, via C ─ H bond cleavage. (2‐Mesityl‐1H ‐inden‐3‐yl)dicyclohexylphosphine ( 2 ) reacted with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing heptane to give the trinuclear ruthenium cluster [μ‐2‐mesityl‐(3‐Cy₂PC₉H₅)](μ₂‐CO)Ru₃(CO)₉ ( 2c ) via C ─ H bond cleavage and carbonyl insertion. 2‐(Anthracen‐9‐yl)‐1H –inden‐3‐yldicyclohexylphosphine ( 3 ) reacted with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing heptane to give the dinuclear ruthenium cluster [μ₂‐η³:η³–2‐(anthracen‐9‐yl)‐3‐Cy₂PC₉H₆]Ru₂(CO)₅ ( 3a ). The structures of 1c , 2c , 3a and 4a were fully characterized using IR and NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. These results suggest that the 2‐aryl substituent on the indenyl ring has a pronounced effect on the reaction and coordination modes of Ru₃(CO)₁₂.     

A Diruthenium‐Based Mixed Spin Complex Ru25+(S=1/2)‐CN‐Ru25+(S=3/2)

An unusual tetra‐nuclear linear cyanido‐bridged complex [Ru₂(μ‐ap)₄‐CN‐Ru₂(μ‐ap)₄](BPh₄) ( 1 ) (ap=2‐anilinopyridinate) has been synthesized and well characterized. The crystallographic data, magnetic measurement, IR, EPR and theoretical calculation results demonstrate that complex 1 is the first example of mixed spin Ru₂⁵⁺‐based complex with uncommon electronic configurations of S=1/2 for the cyanido‐C bound Ru₂⁵⁺ and S=3/2 for the cyanido‐N bound Ru₂⁵⁺. This phenomenon can be understood by the theoretical calculation results that from the precursor Ru₂(μ‐ap)₄(CN) (S=3/2) to complex 1 the energy gap between π* and δ* orbitals of the cyanido‐C bound Ru₂⁵⁺ core increases from 0.57 to 1.61 eV due to the enhancement of asymmetrical π back‐bonding effect, but that of the cyanido‐N bound Ru₂⁵⁺ core is essential identical (0.56 eV). Besides, the analysis of UV/Vis‐NIR spectra suggests that there exists metal to metal charge transfer (MMCT) from the cyanido‐N bound Ru₂⁵⁺ (S=3/2) to the cyanido‐C bound Ru₂⁵⁺ (S=1/2), supported by the TDDFT calculations.     

Substituent Effects on the Structural Features and Nonlinear Optical Properties of the Organic Alkalide Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)Li−

The effects of substituents on the structure, character, and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the organic alkalide Li⁺(calix[4]pyrrole)Li^? were studied by density functional theory. Natural bond orbital analysis and vertical ionization energies reveal that electron‐donating substituents strengthen the alkalide character of Li⁺(calix[4]pyrrole)Li^? and that they are beneficial for a larger first hyperpolarizability (β₀) value. However, electron‐withdrawing substituents have the opposite effect. The dependence of the NLO properties on the number of substituents and their relative position was detected in multisubstituted Li⁺(calix[4]pyrrole)Li^? compounds. For both the amino‐ and methyl‐substituted derivatives, the polarizabilities and the first hyperpolarizabilities increase as more pyrrole β‐H atoms are substituted. Moreover, distribution of the substituents so that they are as far away from each other as possible resulted in an increase in the β₀ value. The new knowledge obtained in this study may provide an effective approach to enhance the NLO responses of alkalides by employing pyrrole derivatives as complexants.     

Synthesis of a series of new ruthenium organometallic complexes derived from pyridine‐imine ligands and their catalytic activity in oxidation of secondary alcohols

Reactions of pyridine imines [C₅H₄N‐2‐C(H) = N‐C₆H₄‐R] [R = H (1), CH₃ (2), OMe (3), CF₃ (4), Cl (5), Br (6)] with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing toluene gave the corresponding dinuclear ruthenium carbonyl complexes of the type {μ‐η²‐CH[(2‐C₅H₄N)(N‐C₆H₄‐R)]}₂Ru₂(CO)₄(μ‐CO) [R = H (7); CH₃ (8); OMe (9); CF₃ (10); Cl (11); Br (12)]. All six novel complexes were separated by chromatography, and fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR spectroscopy. Molecular structures of 7, 10, 11, and 12 were determined by X‐ray crystal diffraction. Further, the catalytic performance of these complexes was also tested. The combination of {μ‐η²‐CH[(2‐C₅H₄N)(N‐C₆H₄‐R)]}₂Ru₂(CO)₄(μ‐CO) and NMO afforded an efficient catalytic system for the oxidation of a variety secondary alcohols.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes of 2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f] [1,10]phenanthroline. Synthesis,characterization and third order nonlinear optical properties

Three Ru^II complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(PIP)]²⁺, [Ru(PIP)₂(bpy)]²⁺ and [Ru(PIP)₃]²⁺ (PIP = 2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2-bipyridine) were prepared and characterized by electrospray mass spectrometry, ¹H-n.m.r, u.v.–vis. and electrochemistry. The nonlinear optical properties (NLO) of the Ru^II complexes were investigated by Z-scan techniques with 12 ns laser pulses at 540 nm, and all of them exhibit both NLO absorption and self-defocusing effects. The corresponding effective NLO susceptibility |³| of the complexes is in the (4.15 – 4.86) × 10^–12 e.s.u. range.     

Redox‐Controlled Exchange Bias in a Supramolecular Chain of Fe4 Single‐Molecule Magnets

Tetrairon(III) single‐molecule magnets [Fe₄(pPy)₂(dpm)₆] ( 1 ) (H₃pPy=2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane‐1,3‐diol, Hdpm=dipivaloylmethane) have been deliberately organized into supramolecular chains by reaction with Ru^IIRu^II or Ru^IIRu^III paddlewheel complexes. The products [Fe₄(pPy)₂(dpm)₆][Ru₂(OAc)₄](BF₄)_x with x=0 ( 2 a ) or x=1 ( 2 b ) differ in the electron count on the paramagnetic diruthenium bridges and display hysteresis loops of substantially different shape. Owing to their large easy‐plane anisotropy, the s=1 diruthenium(II,II) units in 2 a act as effective s_eff=0 spins and lead to negligible intrachain communication. By contrast, the mixed‐valent bridges (s=3/2, s_eff=1/2) in 2 b introduce a significant exchange bias, with concomitant enhancement of the remnant magnetization. Our results suggest the possibility to use electron transfer to tune intermolecular communication in redox‐responsive arrays of SMMs.     

Evaluation of the Oxo‐bridged Dinuclear Ruthenium Ammine Complex as Redox Mediator in an Electrochemical Biosensor

The mediation of electron‐transfer by oxo‐bridged dinuclear ruthenium ammine [(bpy)₂(NH₃)Ru^III(µ‐O)Ru^III(NH₃)(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ for the oxidation of glucose was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. These ruthenium (III) complexes exhibit appropriate redox potentials of 0.131–0.09 V vs. SCE to act as electron‐transfer mediators. The plot of anodic current vs. the glucose concentration was linear in the concentration range between 2.52×10^?5 and 1.00×10^?4 mol L^?1. Moreover, the apparent Michaelis‐Menten kinetic (K_M^app) and the catalytic (K_cat) constants were 8.757×10^?6 mol L^?1 and 1,956 s^?1, respectively, demonstrating the efficiency of the ruthenium dinuclear oxo‐complex [(bpy)₂(NH₃)Ru^III(µ‐O)Ru^III(NH₃)(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ as mediator of redox electron‐transfer.     

Ruthenium(II/III)‐Based Compounds with Encouraging Antiproliferative Activity against Non‐small‐Cell Lung Cancer

Hereby we present the synthesis of several ruthenium(II) and ruthenium(III) dithiocarbamato complexes. Proceeding from the Na[trans‐Ru^III(dmso)₂Cl₄] ( 2 ) and cis‐[Ru^II(dmso)₄Cl₂] ( 3 ) precursors, the diamagnetic, mixed‐ligand [Ru^IIL₂(dmso)₂] complexes 4 and 5 , the paramagnetic, neutral [Ru^IIIL₃] monomers 6 and 7 , the antiferromagnetically coupled ionic α‐[Ru^III₂L₅]Cl complexes 8 and 9 as well as the β‐[Ru^III₂L₅]Cl dinuclear species 10 and 11 (L=dimethyl‐ (DMDT) and pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDT)) were obtained. All the compounds were fully characterised by elemental analysis as well as ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Moreover, for the first time the crystal structures of the dinuclear β‐[Ru^III₂(dmdt)₅]BF₄ ? CHCl₃ ? CH₃CN and of the novel [Ru^IIL₂(dmso)₂] complexes were also determined and discussed. For both the mono‐ and dinuclear Ru^II and Ru^III complexes the central metal atoms assume a distorted octahedral geometry. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes has been evaluated on non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) NCI‐H1975 cells. All the mono‐ and dinuclear Ru^III dithiocarbamato compounds (i.e., complexes 6 – 10 ) show interesting cytotoxic activity, up to one order of magnitude higher with respect to cisplatin. Otherwise, no significant antiproliferative effect for either the precursors 2 and 3 or the Ru^II complexes 4 and 5 has been observed.     

Density Functional Theory Calculations on Oxidative CC Bond Cleavage and NO Bond Formation of [RuII(bpy)2(diamine)]2+ via Reactive Ruthenium Imide Intermediates

DFT calculations are performed on [Ru^II(bpy)₂(tmen)]²⁺ ( M1 , tmen=2,3‐dimethyl‐2,3‐butanediamine) and [Ru^II(bpy)₂(heda)]²⁺ ( M2 , heda=2,5‐dimethyl‐2,5‐hexanediamine), and on the oxidation reactions of M1 to give the C?C bond cleavage product [Ru^II(bpy)₂(NH=CMe₂)₂]²⁺ ( M3 ) and the N?O bond formation product [Ru^II(bpy)₂(ONCMe₂CMe₂NO)]²⁺ ( M4 ). The calculated geometrical parameters and oxidation potentials are in good agreement with the experimental data. As revealed by the DFT calculations, [Ru^II(bpy)₂(tmen)]²⁺ ( M1 ) can undergo oxidative deprotonation to generate Ru‐bis(imide) [Ru(bpy)₂(tmen‐4 H)]⁺ ( A ) or Ru‐imide/amide [Ru(bpy)₂(tmen‐3 H)]²⁺ ( A′ ) intermediates. Both A and A′ are prone to C?C bond cleavage, with low reaction barriers (ΔG^≠) of 6.8 and 2.9 kcal mol^?1 for their doublet spin states ² A and ² A′ , respectively. The calculated reaction barrier for the nucleophilic attack of water molecules on ² A′ is relatively high (14.2 kcal mol^?1). These calculation results are in agreement with the formation of the Ru^II‐bis(imine) complex M3 from the electrochemical oxidation of M1 in aqueous solution. The oxidation of M1 with Ce^IV in aqueous solution to afford the Ru^II‐dinitrosoalkane complex M4 is proposed to proceed by attack of the cerium oxidant on the ruthenium imide intermediate. The findings of ESI‐MS experiments are consistent with the generation of a ruthenium imide intermediate in the course of the oxidation.