Hydrogen peroxide photoproduction by the semicarbazide—tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II)—oxygen system

A light-driven system consisting of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) as the photosensitizer, semicarbazide as the electron donor and molecular oxygen as the electron acceptor has been employed for hydrogen peroxide production. The efficiency of this photosystem markedly depends on pH: while the peroxide yield is almost negligible at acid, neutral or slightly alkaline pH, it reaches significant values at high hydroxide concentrations, the initial rate of H₂O₂ formation drastically increasing from pH 12 to pH 14. In 1 M NaOH solutions containing Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and semicarbazide at optimum concentrations, the number of catalytic cycles (or turnover number) undergone by the ruthenium complex over the complete course of the photochemical reaction is as high as 1.1 × 10⁴.

Spectrofluorometric and laser flash photolysis techniques were used to study the primary photochemical reactions involving the excited state of the ruthenium complex as well as the photochemically generated species Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ and Ru(bpy)₃⁺. It is proposed that at pH 14 a sequence of reactions leading to O₂ photoreduction by electrons from semicarbazide takes place, with the concomitant formation of H₂O₂; the excited state of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ appears to react via oxidative quenching by oxygen rather than via reductive quenching by semicarbazide. At neutral pH, in contrast, there is no H₂O₂ formation owing to the fact that semicarbazide is unable to reduce (Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ to Ru(bpy)₃²⁺, although the photoexcited ruthenium complex is quenched equally by oxygen.     

Charge transfer photochemistry of Ru(bpz)3 with carboxylic acids and carboxylate ions

Ru(bpz)₃²⁺ (bpz = 2,2′-bipyrazine) has six peripheral uncoordinated nitrogen atoms potentially available for protonation in presence of acids. The emission from ^*Ru(bpz)₃²⁺ is efficiently quenched by organic acids and the observed quenching rate constants are explained in terms of proton transfer from acids to ^*Ru(bpz)₃²⁺. The absorption and emission intensity of Ru(bpz)₃²⁺ increases with increasing concentration of carboxylate ion suggesting the complex formation between the two reactants in the ground state. From these studies, the formation constant (K_f) have been evaluated by Benesi–Hildebrand method. The K_f values indicate that generally the ion pair association constants estimated from absorption and emission techniques are comparable and these values are sensitive to the structure of the carboxylate ions.     

Characterization of the low-oxidation-potential electrogenerated chemiluminescence of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) with tri-n-propylamine as coreactant

The electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ (bpy, 2,2′-bipyridine)/tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) system can be produced at an oxidation-potential well before the oxidation of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺. Here, we describe the unique features of the low-oxidation-potential (LOP) ECL. The LOP ECL exhibited strong dependence on solution pH with the maximum emission at pH  7.7. Compared with the conventional ECL, the LOP ECL was much more significantly diminished at high pH (>10), probably due to the short lifetime of TPrA cation radical which is a crucial intermediate for the LOP emission. It was also found that the preceding deprotonation step played an important role in TPrA oxidation at neutral pH and would remarkably influence the emission intensity. As excess intermediate radicals were produced upon rapid TPrA oxidation, only 5 mM TPrA was needed to achieve the maximum LOP ECL intensity in detecting trace Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ (<1 μM) and the LOP ECL response to Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ concentration was linear. Compared with the conventional Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/TPrA ECL, the LOP ECL technique not only produces higher emission intensity at lower oxidation-potential, but also significantly reduces the amount of the coreactant.     

Rates of virtually self-exchange energy transfer processes of ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes

The rate constants of electronic energy transfer from the lowest excited state of Ru(bpy)₂(L)²⁺ or Ru(bpy)(L)₂²⁺ 10 Ru(L)₃²⁺ (b     

Electrochemiluminescence sensor using tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) immobilized in Eastman-AQ55D–silica composite thin-films

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor with good long-term stability and fast response time has been developed. The sensor was based on the immobilization of tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) into the Eastman-AQ55D–silica composite thin films on a glassy carbon electrode. The ECL and electrochemistry of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ immobilized in the composite thin films have been investigated, and the modified electrode was used for the ECL detection of oxalate, tripropylamine (TPA) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) in a flow injection analysis system and showed high sensitivity. Because of the strong electrostatic interaction and low hydrophobicity of Eastman-AQ55D, the sensor showed no loss of response over 2 months of dry storage. In use, the electrode showed only a 5% decrease in response over 100 potential cycles. The detection limit was 1 μmol l⁻¹ for oxalate and 0.1 μmol l⁻¹ for both TPA and CPZ (S/N=3), respectively. The linear range extended from 50 μmol l⁻¹ to 5 mmol l⁻¹ for oxalate, from 20 μmol l⁻¹ to 1 mmol l⁻¹ for TPA, and from 1 μmol l⁻¹ to 200 μmol l⁻¹ for CPZ.     

Magnetic susceptibility of 1,1′,2,2′-tetramethylcobaltocene and 1,1′-diethylcobaltocene: Evidence for the dynamic Jahn-Teller effect

The magnetic susceptibility of 1,1′,2,2′-tetramethylcobaltocene, Co[C₅H₃(CH₃)₂]₂, and 1,1′-diethylcobaltocene, Co(C₅H₄C₂H₅)₂, has been studied between 0.99 and 296 K. The data are well reproduced by a calculation of the dynamic Jahn-Teller effect for the ²E_1g(a_1g²e_2g⁴e_1g) ground state of D_5d symmetry. A suitable set of parameter values is given by ζ = 100 cm⁻¹, δ = 150 cm⁻¹, k_JT = 0.40, κ = 0.70. The magnetism of cobaltocene, Co(C₅H₅)₂, may be described by parameter values of comparable magnitude. The results imply a significantly larger reduction of the spin-orbit coupling parameter ζ due to covalency than of the orbital reduction factor κ.     

Tetra(μ3-hydroxo)hexa(μ2-carboxylato-O,O′)-bridged tetranuclear terbium(III) cubane complex

A novel tetranuclear terbium(III) complex [Tb₄(OH)₄(pybet)₆(H₂O)₈][Tb₄(OH)₄(pybet)₆(H₂O)₇ (NO₃)](ClO₄)₁₄·6H₂O has been synthesized and shown by X-ray crystallography to have a cubane-like Tb₄(μ₃-OH)₄(μ₂-carboxylato-O,O′)₆ core. The ligand pybet is pyridinoacetate, C₅H₅⁺N-CH₂CO₂⁻. Magnetic susceptibility data were measured for this Tb₄ complex in the range of 2.0–320 K and in fields of 1.0 G to 50.0 kG. It is concluded that either there is very weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction (J = −0.015 cm⁻¹) or there is a small crystal-field splitting of the ⁷F₆ Tb^III ground state.     

The reaction of cis dioxobis(2,4 pentanedionato)molybdenum (VI) and 2,2′ pyridylbenzoxazole (L), a novel route to β[Mo8O26]

MoO₂(C₅H₇O₂)₂, where C₅H₇O₂ is 2,4-pentanedione (acac), reacts with 2-2′ pyridylbenzoxazole in acetone to give a product with stoichiometry, Mo₃C₂₄H₁₆N₆O₁₂. This product dissolves readily in dimethylformamide to give a brown solution which on standing for several weeks yielded crystals. An X-ray structure determination showed these crystals to contain uncoordinated 2-2′pyridylbenzoxazole and [(CH₃)₂NH₂]₄⁺[Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻.     

Persulphate quenching of the excited state of ruthenium(II) tris-bipyridyl dication: thermal reactions

The rate constant for the reaction between the sulphate radical (SO₄^√−) and the ruthenium (II) tris-bipyridyl dication (Ru(bipy)₃²⁺) is (3.3±0.2)×10⁹ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ in 1 mol dm⁻³ H₂SO₄ and (4.9±0.5)×10⁹ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ in 0.1 mol dm⁻³, pH 4.7 acetate buffer. The SO₄^√−radical produced by the electron transfer quenching of Ru(bipy)₃^2+* by S₂O₈²⁻ reacts rapidly with both acetate buffer and chloride ions. These side reactions result in a reduction in the overall quantum yield of Ru(bipy)₃³⁺ production and reduced reaction selectivity when Ru(bipy)₃^2+* is quenched by persulphate.     

Singlet and triplet energy transfer processes in ruthenium(II) bipyridine complexes containing covalently bound arenes

Singlet and triplet energy transfer processes in [Ru(bipy)₂(4-methyl-4′-(2-arylethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine)]²⁺ have been investigated, where ARYL = 2-naphthyl (Ru-Naph), 9-anthryl (Ru-Anth) and 1-pyrenyl (Ru-Pyrene). In each case fluorescence from the aromatic chromophore is quenched by intramolecular energy transfer to Ru(bipy)₃²⁺ whereas emission from the Ru(bipy)₃²⁺ moiety is controlled by the relative energy of its ³MLCT state and the pendant arene triplet states. Consequently ³MLCT emission is observed for Ru-Naph whereas it is fully quenched for Ru-Anth. When the two states are isoenergetic (e.g. Ru-Pyrene) a long-lived ³MLCT emission is observed which delays with the same lifetime as the pyrene triplet state (5.23 μs).     

Photophysical, electrochemical and electrochromic properties of copper-bis(4,4′-dimethyl-6,6′-diphenyl-2,2′-bipyridine) complexes

The synthesis, solution and solid state structural characterization, photophysical and electrochemical properties of two redox forms of an electrochromic copper-bis(4,4′-dimethyl-6,6′-diphenyl-2,2′-bipyridine) complex, [Cu(3)₂]ⁿ (n=+1, +2), are presented. Both complexes were characterized in the solid state by X-ray diffraction methods on single-crystals showing that both forms exist in a pseudo-tetrahedral coordination, and a comparison with other structures was made. Like most copper(I) complexes, the red [Cu(3)₂]⁺ complex shows a rather weak emission (Φ_em=2.7×10⁻⁴, dichloromethane). The lifetime of the emitting MLCT state is 34±1 ns, as observed with time resolved emission, and transient absorption (in deoxygenated dichloromethane). Typical emission and transient absorption spectra are presented. The transient absorption spectra indicate that the MLCT state absorbs stronger than the ground state, which is relatively uncommon for metal bipyridine complexes, i.e. no ground state bleaching is observed. The green [(3)₂Cu]²⁺ complex does not show any observable emission or transient absorption, which is a common feature for Cu(II) complexes of this type. The electronic absorption spectra of the chemically and electrochemically produced copper(I/II) complexes are identical. The repeated electrochemical conversion of the Cu(I) center into Cu(II) and vice versa does not cause any decomposition. This is consistent with a fully reversible Cu(I)/Cu(II) redox couple in the corresponding cyclic voltammogram, (E_1/2 (Cu(I)/Cu(II))=+0.68 V vs. SCE=+0.23 V vs. Fc/Fc⁺). These observations indicate that no large structural reorganization occurs upon electrochemical timescales (sub second), and that the different ways of generating the complexes does not effect their final structure, apart from the small differences observed in the X-ray structures of both forms. These characteristics make these complexes rather well suited for their incorporation into an electrochromic display configuration.     

Reactions of the cationic diruthenium carbonyl complex [Ru2(μ-dppm)2(CO)4(μ,η-O2CMe)] with bidentate ligands; intramolecularly assisted stereospecific synthesis via the second-sphere face-to-face π–π stacking interactions

The reactions of the diruthenium carbonyl complexes [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]X (X=BF₄⁻ (1a) or PF₆⁻ (1b)) with neutral or anionic bidentate ligands (L,L) afford a series of the diruthenium bridging carbonyl complexes [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-(L,L))₂]X_n ((L,L)=acetate (O₂CMe), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), acetylacetonate (acac), 8-quinolinolate (quin); n=0, 1, 2). Apparently with coordination of the bidentate ligands, the bound acetate ligand of [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]⁺ either migrates within the same complex or into a different one, or is simply replaced. The reaction of [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]⁺ (1) with 2,2′-bipyridine produces [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)₂] (2), [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)(η²-bpy)]⁺ (3), and [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-bpy)₂]²⁺ (4). Alternatively compound 2 can be prepared from the reaction of 1a with MeCO₂H–Et₃N, while compound 4 can be obtained from the reaction of 3 with bpy. The reaction of 1b with acetylacetone–Et₃N produces [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)(η²-acac)] (5) and [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-acac)₂] (6). Compound 2 can also react with acetylacetone–Et₃N to produce 6. Surprisingly [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-quin)₂] (7) was obtained stereospecifically as the only one product from the reaction of 1b with 8-quinolinol–Et₃N. The structure of 7 has been established by X-ray crystallography and found to adopt a cis geometry. Further, the stereospecific reaction is probably caused by the second-sphere π–π face-to-face stacking interactions between the phenyl rings of dppm and the electron-deficient six-membered ring moiety of the bound quinolinate (i.e. the N-included six-membered ring) in 7. The presence of such interactions is indeed supported by an observed charge-transfer band in a UV–vis spectrum.     

Simulated T ← S spectra of benzaldehydes as a function of the energy gap between the ππ and nπ levels

The T_1,2 ← S₀ spectra of benzaldehydes have been studied as a function of the energy separation between the vibrationless levels. It is shown that the spectra are very complicated in the region of ΔE[T₂⁰(nπ^*)-T₁⁰(ππ^*)] = 250–400 cm⁻¹, reflecting effective vibronic interferences between T₂⁰(0-0) and each of the ν₃₆-ν₃₃ out-of-plane vibrational levels of T₁⁰(ππ^*). The simulated spectra correspond to the observed spectra. In the case of T₁⁰ = ³nπ^* and T₂⁰ = ³ππ^* the spectral change is not so drastic as in the reverse case loc. cit. because the optical intensity generally concentrates in the longest wavelength band, i.e., the origin band of the T₁(nπ^*) ← S₀ transition. The simulation spectra are useful for interpretation of the absorption spectra in similar electronic structure systems of substituted benzaldehydes.     

Nafion–RuO2–Ru(bpy)3 composite electrodes for efficient electrocatalytic water oxidation

Electrocatalytic water oxidation to evolve O₂ was studied on a Nafion–RuO₂–Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ composite electrode. The O₂ evolution current efficiency was largely improved for the multi-component electrode over the Nafion–RuO₂ and Nafion–Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ individuals. The redox mediation through the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ was found to dominate over the RuO₂ catalytic effect in the water oxidation mechanism. The specific surface area of the RuO₂, which was prepared at different temperatures (300–700°C), used in fabricating the composite electrode also played an important role in the overall water oxidation mechanism. Both the reaction and electrode parameters were optimized to get effective electrocatalytic current values in this study.     

Tris-chelate complexes with chiral ligands: In search of diastereoisomeric selectivity with remote stereogenic centres

The chiral ligands, 4,4′-bis{(1S,2R,4S)-(−)-bornyloxy}-2,2′-bipyridine, (1S,2R,4S)-1, and 4,4′-bis{(1R,2S,4R)-(+)-bornyloxy}-2,2′-bipyridine, (1R,2S,4R)-1, have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and, for (1S,2R,4S)-1, by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Despite the use of enantiomerically pure ligands, the formation of the complexes [Fe((1S,2R,4S)-1)₃]²⁺, [Ru((1S,2R,4S)-1)₃]²⁺, [Ru((1S,2R,4S)-1)(bpy)₂]²⁺ and [Ru((1R,2S,4R)-1)(bpy)₂]²⁺ proceeds without preference for either the Δ or Λ-diastereoisomers.     

Bis(η-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-and(ηcyclopentadienyl) (η-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-platinium dications: Pt(IV) metallocenes

Reaction of [Pt₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂(η-Br)₃]³⁺(Br⁻)₃ with C₅R₅H (R = H,Me) in the presence of AgBF₄ gives the first platinocenium dications, [Pt(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁵-C₅R₅)]²⁺(BF₄⁻ )₂. On electrochemical reduction, [pt(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂]²⁺ yields [Pt(η⁴-C₅Me₅H)(η²-C₅Me₅)]+ BF₄⁻. kw]Cyclopentadienyl; Metallocenes; Platinum; Electrochemistry     

Synthesis, spectra and crystal structures of two Ru complexes with polypyridyl ligands: cis-[Ru(bpy)2(4,4′-bpy)Cl](PF6)·H2O and cis-[Ru(phen)2(CH3CN)2](PF6)2

Two mononuclear Ru^II complexes of polypyridyl ligands, cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(4,4′-bpy)Cl](PF₆)·H₂O (1) and cis-[Ru(phen)₂(CH₃CN)₂](PF₆)₂ (2) (bpy=2,2′-bipyridyl, 4,4′-bpy=4,4′-bipyridyl, and PHEN=1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and UV–vis spectra. The crystal structures of both complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction, indicating that each Ru^II center is hexa-coordinated (RuN₅Cl for 1 and RuN₆ for 2) and takes a distorted octahedral geometry. The favored feature of both complexes is that they are quite useful complex precursors for further constructing new functional architectures.     

Synthesis, structure and nuclease activity of copper complexes of disubstituted 2,2′-bipyridine ligands bearing ammonium groups

A series of Cu(II) complexes of disubstituted 2,2′-bipyridine bearing ammonium groups [Cu(L¹⁻⁴)₂Br]⁵⁺ (1–4, L¹ = [5,5′-(Me₂NHCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺, L² = [5,5′-(Me₃NCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺, L³ = [4,4′-(Me₂NHCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺, L⁴ = [4,4′-(Me₃NCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺ and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl) were synthesized, of which complexes 1 and 4 were structurally characterized. Both coordination configurations of Cu(II) ions can be described as distorted trigonal bipyramid. The interaction between all complexes and CT-DNA was evaluated by thermal-denaturation experiments and CD spectroscopy. Results show that the complexes interact with CT-DNA via outside electrostatic interactions and their binding ability follows the order: 1 > 2 > 3 > 4. In the absence of any reducing agents, the cleavage of plasmid pBR322 DNA by these complexes was investigated and the hydrolysis kinetics of DNA was studied in Tris buffer (pH 7.5) at 37 °C. Obtained pseudo-Michaelis–Menten kinetic parameters: 15.0, 13.6, 2.01 and 1.69 h⁻¹ for 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, indicate that complexes 1 and 2 exhibit very high DNA cleavage activities. According to their crystal data, the high nuclease activity may be attributed to the strong interaction of the metal moiety and two ammonium groups with phosphate groups of DNA.     

Interaction of heterocyclic thioamides with tellurium(II) and tellurium(IV). Syntheses and crystal structures of bis[2-(2-thioxo-1,3- thiazolidin-3-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1,3- thiazolium]hexabromotellurate(IV) and tris(1- methylimidazole-2-(3H)-thione)tellurium(II) bromide

Reaction of 1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione with tellurium(IV) in hydrobromic acid medium gave the hexabromotellurate, [C₆H₉N₂S₃]₂²⁺[Te^IVBr₆]²⁻ (3). Reaction of 1-methylimidazoline-2-(3H)-thione (L″) with tellurium(IV), in hydrobromic acid medium, gave the mixed-ligand tellurium(II) complex [Te^IIL″₃Br]⁺Br⁻ (4). The structures of [C₆H₉N₂S₃]₂²⁺[Te^IVBr₆]²⁻ (3) and [Te^IIL″₃Br]⁺Br⁻ were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. In 3 the unit cell contains [TeBr₆]²⁻ anions and two [C₆H₉N₂S₃]⁺ cations. There is no direct bonding between the metal atom and the cations. In the anion only slight angular deviations from the perfect octahedral geometry are observed. The lone pair of electrons on tellurium(IV) is found to be stereochemically inert. In the cation the two five-membered heterocyclic rings adopt different conformations. In complex 4, in the solid state, the planar [Te^IIL″₃Br]⁺ cation and Br⁻ anion are held together by ionic interactions. In the cation, L″ is bonded to the central tellurium atom through the sulphur atom.     

Determination of the free activation energy for the breaking of the P---Ag bond in [(η-p-cymene)Ru(μ-pz)3Ag(PPh3)]

The Arrhenius equation corresponding to the process P---Ag+P*---Ag*→---P---Ag*+P*---Ag has been determined for [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(μ-pz)₃Ag(PPh₃)] (1) by complete line-shape analysis of the ³¹P NMR spectra between −40°C and +30°C. It has the form K = 10^11.8± e^{(−46±5 kJ mol−1/RT)}. The preexponential term, log A = 11.8 corresponds to a small activation entropy, whereas the activation energy, 46 kJ mol⁻¹ is comparable to those determined for other phosphorus—metal compounds.