Stereospecific synthesis and redox properties of ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes bearing a redox-active 1,8-naphthyridine unit

Two stereoisomers of cis-[Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)Cl]PF₆ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pynp = 2-(2-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthyridine) were selectively prepared. The pyridyl rings of the pynp ligand in [Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)Cl]⁺ are situated trans and cis, respectively, to the CO ligand. The corresponding CH₃CN complex ([Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)(CH₃CN)]²⁺) was also prepared by replacement reactions of the chlorido ligand in CH₃CN. Using these complexes, ligand-centered redox behavior was studied by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical techniques. The molecular structures of pynp-containing complexes (two stereoisomers of [Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)Cl]PF₆ and [Ru(pynp)₂(CO)Cl]PF₆) were determined by X-ray structure analyses.     

1-(2′-Pyridylazo)-2-naphtholate complexes of ruthenium: Synthesis,characterization, and DNA binding properties

Reaction of 1-(2′-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (Hpan) with [Ru(dmso)₄Cl₂] (dmso = dimethylsulfoxide), [Ru(trpy)Cl₃] (trpy = 2,2′,2″-terpyridine), [Ru(bpy)Cl₃] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and [Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂] in refluxing ethanol in the presence of a base (NEt₃) affords, respectively, the [Ru(pan)₂], [Ru(trpy)(pan)]⁺ (isolated as perchlorate salt), [Ru(bpy)(pan)Cl] and [Ru(PPh₃)₂(pan)Cl] complexes. Structures of these four complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. In each of these complexes, the pan ligand is coordinated to the metal center as a monoanionic tridentate N,N,O-donor. Reaction of the [Ru(bpy)(pan)Cl] complex with pyridine (py) and 4-picoline (pic) in the presence of silver ion has yielded the [Ru(bpy)(pan)(py)]⁺ and [Ru(bpy)(pan)(pic)]⁺ complexes (isolated as perchlorate salts), respectively. All the complexes are diamagnetic (low-spin d⁶, S = 0) and show characteristic ¹H NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry on all the complexes shows a Ru(II)–Ru(III) oxidation on the positive side of SCE. Except in the [Ru(pan)₂] complex, a second oxidative response has been observed in the other five complexes. Reductions of the coordinated ligands have also been observed on the negative side of SCE. The [Ru(trpy)(pan)]ClO₄, [Ru(bpy)(pan)(py)]ClO₄ and [Ru(bpy)(pan)(pic)]ClO₄ complexes have been observed to bind to DNA, but they have not been able to cleave super-coiled DNA on UV irradiation.     

Theoretical design of phosphorescence parameters for organic electro-luminescence devices based on iridium complexes

Time-dependent density functional theory with quadratic response methodology is used in order to calculate and compare spin–orbit coupling effects and the main mechanism of phosphorescence of the neutral Ir(ppy)₃ and cationic [Ir(bpy)₃]³⁺ tris-iridium compounds, [Ir(ppy)₂(bpy)]⁺ and [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)₂(4,4′-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine]⁺ complexes, including also the recently synthesised [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)₂(4,4′-dimethylamino-2,2′-bipyridine]⁺ and [Ir(2,4-difluorophenylpyridine)₂(4,4′-dimethylamino-2,2′-bipyridine]⁺ dyes, where ppy = 2-phenylpyridine and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine ligands. Comparison with the symmetric, lighter and more studied [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and [Rh(bpy)₃]³⁺ complexes is also presented. Variations in phosphorescence lifetimes for Ir(ppy)₃ and [Ir(bpy)₃]³⁺ dyes as well as for the mixed cationic complexes are well reproduced by the quadratic response method. All the ortho-metalated iridium compounds exhibit strong phosphorescence, which is used in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) to overcome the efficiency limit imposed by the formation of triplet excitons. The results from the first principle theoretical analysis of phosphorescence have helped to clarify the connections between the main features of electronic structure and the photo-physical properties of the studied heavy organometallic OLED materials.     

Synthesis and spectral properties of ruthenium(II) complexes based on 2,2′-bipyridines modified by a perylene chromophore

Five new 2,2′-bipyridines functionalized with a perylene or a perylenediimide moiety were synthesized and the corresponding heteroleptic ruthenium(II) complexes ([Ru(bpy)₂(L)](PF₆)₂; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl, L = perylene-substituted bpy ligand) were prepared. The UV–vis spectra of the ruthenium(II) complexes showed red-shifted and intense absorption bands derived from the conjugated structure of the new ligands.     

A DNA biosensor based on the electrocatalytic oxidation of amine by a threading intercalator

An electrochemical biosensor for the detection of DNA based a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) capture probe (CP) modified indium tin oxide electrode (ITO) is described in this report. After hybridization, a threading intercalator, N,N′-bis[(3-propyl)-imidazole]-1,4,5,8-naphthalene diimide (PIND) imidazole complexed with Ru(bpy)₂Cl (PIND-Ru, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), was introduced to the biosensor. PIND-Ru selectively intercalated to double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) and became immobilized on the biosensor surface. Voltammetric tests showed highly stable and reversible electrochemical oxidation/reduction processes and the peak currents can directly be utilized for DNA quantification. When the tests were conducted in an amine-containing medium, Tris-HCl buffer for example, a remarkable improvement in the voltammetric response and noticeable enhancements of voltammetric and amperometric sensitivities were observed due to the electrocatalytic activity of the [Ru(bpy)₂Cl] redox moieties. Electrocatalytic current was observed when as little as 3.0 attomoles of DNA was present in the sample solution.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA-binding and DNA-photocleavage studies of [Ru(bpy)2(BPIP)] and [Ru(phen)2(BPIP)] (BPIP = 2-(4′-biphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline)

New ligand 2-(4′-biphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (BPIP) and its complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(BPIP)]²⁺ (1) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and [Ru(phen)₂(BPIP)]²⁺ (2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by mass spectroscopy, ¹H NMR and cyclic voltammetry. The interaction of two Ru(II) complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated by spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. Results indicate that both complexes bind to DNA via an intercalative mode and the DNA-binding affinity of complex 2 is much greater than that of complex 1. Furthermore, when irradiated at 365 nm, both complexes have also been found to promote the photocleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA.     

Synthesis and properties of 6,6′-dithienyl-4,4′-bipyrimidine and its hetero- and homo-leptic Ru(II) complexes

Hetero- and homo-leptic Ru(II) complexes of a new 4,4′-bipyrimidine ligand, th₂bpm (6,6′-di(2″-thienyl)-4,4′-bipyrimidine), have been synthesized and characterized. The parent ligand th₂bpm has electron rich thiophene units on the periphery of a bidentate ligand which is capable of binding to metal ions. The heteroleptic complex of th₂bpm [Ru(bpy)₂th₂bpm]²⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) exhibits a Ru-to-bpm metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption centered at 547 nm and a Ru-to-bpy MLCT absorption centered at 438 nm. The assignment of the low energy absorption is supported by the relative ease of electrochemical reduction of the new complex as compared to [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺. The homoleptic complex, [Ru(th₂bpm)₃]²⁺, exhibits a Ru-to-bpm MLCT absorption at slightly higher energy (544 nm). Both complexes are emissive at room temperature in fluid solution and 5 is one of the lowest energy emitters based on tris-bidentate Ru(II) complexes known (λ_max = 770 nm). The luminescence spectra is red-shifted compared to [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and this effect is ascribed to the delocalization in the acceptor ligand.     

Synthesis and characterization of some new mononuclear ruthenium complexes containing 4-(un)substituted dipyridylpyrazole ligands

A mononuclear ruthenium complex [Ru(bpy)₂(bpp)](PF₆) (1) and its halogenated and nitro derivatives [Ru(bpy)₂(Xbpp)](PF₆) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; bpp = 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazole; X = Cl, 2; X = Br, 3; X = I, 4; X = NO₂, 5) have been synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HRMS, elemental analysis. Complexes 2–5 have been further confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Their UV–Vis and emission spectroscopies, electrochemical measurements and acid–base properties are described. The results presented here reveal that the introduction of Cl, Br, I and NO₂ groups to the coordinated bpp⁻ ligand makes the absorption and emission maxima of the parent complex 1 blue-shifted, the oxidation potential of the Ru^II/Ru^III couple increased and the pK_a value decreased obviously. In addition, significant quenching of the emission by these groups is also observed.     

Oligothiophene-2-yl-vinyl bridged mono- and binuclear ruthenium(II) tris-bipyridine complexes: Synthesis, photophysics, electrochemistry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence

A series of mono- and binuclear ruthenium(II) tris-bipyridine complexes tethered to oligothienylenevinylenes have been synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and TOF-MS spectrometry. Photophysics, electrochemistry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) properties of these complexes are investigated. The electronic absorption spectra of the mononuclear ruthenium complexes show a significant red shift both at MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) and π-π^∗ transitions of oligothienylenevinylenes with increase in the number of thiophenyl-2-yl-vinyl unit. For the binuclear complexes these two absorption bands are overlapped. All the metal complexes have very weak emission compared to that of the reference complex Ru(bpy)²⁺₃. The first reduction potentials of all mononuclear ruthenium complexes are less negative than that of Ru(bpy)²⁺₃, due to the moderate electron-withdrawing effect of oligothienylenevinylenes. For binuclear ruthenium complexes, only one Ru(II/III) oxidation peak (E_1/2 = 0.96 V vs. Ag/Ag⁺) was observed, suggesting a weak interaction between two metal centers. Three successive reduction processes of bipyridine ligands are similar among all ruthenium complexes except for RuTRu, which has a very sharp peak owing to the accumulation of neutral product on the electrode surface. All these ruthenium complexes exhibited different ECL property in CH₃CN solution without any additional reductant or oxidant. For three mononuclear ruthenium complexes, the ECL intensity strengthens with increase in the number of thiophene-2-yl-vinyl unit. However, the ECL efficiency dramatically decreased in the binuclear ruthenium complexes. The ECL efficiencies of all the reported complexes do not exceed that of Ru(bpy)²⁺₃, where the ECL efficiency decreases in the order of RuTRu > Ru3T > Ru2T > RuT > Ru2TRu (RuT,bis-2,2′-bipyridyl-(4-methyl-4′-(2-thienylethenyl)-2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium dihexafluorophosphate; Ru2T, bis-2,2′-bipyridyl-(4-methyl-4′-{(E)-2-[5-((E)-2-thienylethenyl)-thienylethenyl]}-2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium dihexafluorophosphate; Ru3T, bis-2,2′-bipyridyl-(4-methyl-4′-{(E)-2-{(E)-2-[5-((E)-2-thienylethenyl)-thienylethenyl]}}-2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium dihexafluorophosphate; RuTRu, bis-2,2′-bipyridyl-ruthenium-bis-[2-((E)-4′-methyl-2, 2′-bipyridinyl-4)-ethenyl]-thienyl-bis-2,2′-bipyridyl-ruthenium tetrahexafluorophosphate; Ru2TRu, bis-2,2′-bipyridyl-ruthenium-(E)-1,2-bis-{2-[2-((E)-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridinyl-4)-ethenyl]-thienyl}-ethenyl-bis-2,2′-bipyridyl-ruthenium tetrahexafluorophosphate).     

Synthesis,characterization, electrochemical and photophysical properties of bimetallic complexes of rhenium(I) and osmium(II)

Monometallic and bimetallic diimine complexes of rhenium(I) and osmium(II), [(CO)₃(bpy)Re(4,4′-bpy)](PF₆) I, [(CO)₃(bpy)Re(4,4′-bpy)Re(bpy)(CO)₃](PF₆)₂II, [Cl(bpy)₂Os(4,4′-bpy)](PF₆) III and [Cl(bpy)₂Os(4,4′-bpy)Os(bpy)₂Cl](PF₆)₂IV, and a new heterobimetallic complex of rhenium(I) and osmium(II) [(CO)₃(bpy)Re(4,4′-bpy)Os(bpy)Cl](PF₆)₂V (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by various spectral techniques. The photophysical properties of all the complexes have been studied and a comparison is made between the heterobimetallic and corresponding monometallic and homobimetallic complexes. Emission and transient absorption spectral studies reveal that excited state energy transfer from the rhenium(I) chromophore (∗Re) to osmium(II) takes place. The energy transfer rate constant is found to be 8.7 × 10⁷ s⁻¹.     

Intermetallic communication through a 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene connector

The electrochemical behavior of two series of homo- and heterometallic 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene-based transition metal complexes containing [(η²-dppf)(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru], [(PPh₃)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)Os], [(^tBu₂bpy)(CO)₃Re], and [(bpy)(CO)₃ClRe] (dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; ^tBu₂bpy = 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridyl; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl-5-yl) building blocks have been studied, showing that there is electronic interaction between the appropriate metal atoms. The electronic absorption spectra reveal high energy bands corresponding to intraligand π → π∗ transitions (bpy, alkynyl) and low energy absorptions which are attributed to MLCT transitions; replacement of ruthenium by osmium results in a blue-shift of the MLCT bands. The associated radical cations of three complexes were in situ generated by chemical oxidation and characterized by continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigations in X-band performed at low temperatures.     

Structural studies on supramolecular adducts of cyclodextrins with the complex [Ru([9]aneS3)(bpy)Cl]Cl

The complex [Ru([9]aneS₃)(bpy)Cl]Cl (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) was immobilised in plain β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and permethylated β-CD (TRIMEB) to yield two adducts with a 1:1 host:guest stoichiometry. The adducts were studied by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ¹³C{¹H} CP/MAS NMR and vibrational spectroscopy (FT-IR and Raman). Results support the formation of stable supramolecular adducts with a proposed geometry in which the coordinated bypiridine fragment of the guest is partially included in the host cavities, and the bulky [9]aneS₃ fragment protrudes out to the interstitial spaces. A packing mode is proposed for [Ru([9]aneS₃)(bpy)Cl]Cl · TRIMEB, obtained by Monte Carlo optimisation of the XRD data. TRIMEB molecules are stacked in tilted channels, with the voluminous part of the guest molecules in the inter-channel space. The behaviour of [Ru([9]aneS₃])(bpy)Cl]Cl upon CD encapsulation and the chloride ligand hydrolysis process in solution for all compounds were studied in detail by Raman spectroscopy.     

5,5′-Bi-5H-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dipridinylidene,a New Bridging Ligand for Metal Complexes. Preliminary Communication

5,5′-Bi-5H-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dipyridinylidene( 1 ) was synthesized in three steps from 9,10-phenanthroline and characterized by UV/VIS and NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and cyclic voltammetry. Its ability to act as a bridging ligand is demonstrated by the synthesis of the complexes [Ru(bpy)₂( 1 )](PF₆)₂ ( 6 ) and [{Ru(bpy)₂}₂( 1 )](PF₆)₄ ( 7 ) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine).     

Synthesis and DNA interaction studies of ruthenium(II) complexes with isatino[1, 2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene as an intercalative ligand

The binding of the ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(ITAP)](ClO₄)₂ (bpy = 2,2’-bipyridine) and [Ru(phen)₂(ITAP)](ClO₄)₂ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, ITAP = isatino[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene) to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) have been investigated with UV–visible and emission spectroscopy, viscosity measurements, thermal denaturation, and photoactivated cleavage. The experimental results indicate that the two complexes bind to CT-DNA through an intercalative mode. The two Ru(II) complexes in the presence of plasmid pBR322 DNA have been found to give rise to nicking of DNA upon irradiation.     

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) constructed from Zn/Cd-2,2′-bipyridines and polycarboxylic acids: Synthesis,characterization and microstructural studies

Metal–organic frameworks with the compositions [Zn(bpy)(bdc)(H₂O)]_n1, [Zn(bpy)(btec)_1/2(H₂O)]_n2, [Cd(bpy)(bdc)(H₂O)]_n3 and Cd(bpy)(btec)_1/2(H₂O)]_n4 (H₂bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid = terephthalic acid, H₄btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. In these complexes, Zn^II/Cd^II-2,2′-bipyridine units and carboxylate anions exists as nodes and spacers respectively. An infinite 1D zig-zag chain structure is observed for both complexes 1 and 3, whereas complexes 2 and 4 display a 3D supramolecular architecture. The complexes are found to be photoluminescent, porous and show significant thermal stability.     

Three trinuclear Ru(II) complexes containing 4,5-diazafluorene and 2,2′-bipyridine: synthesis,absorption spectrum,luminescence, and redox behavior

Three heterotopic ligands L¹, L², and L³ have been prepared by the reaction of 4,4′-bis(bromomethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine with 4,5-diazafluoren-9-oxime, 9-(2-hydroxy)phenylimino-4,5-diazafluorene, and 9-(4-hydroxy)phenylimino-4,5-diazafluorene, respectively, in DMF. The three ligands consist of two 4,5-diazafluorene units and one 2,2′-bipyridine unit. Ru(II) complexes [{Ru(bpy)₂}₃(μ₃-L^1?3)](PF₆)₆ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) were prepared by refluxing Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂·2H₂O and the ligands in 2-methoxyethanol. The three Ru(II) complexes display metal-to-ligand charge-transfer absorption at 445–450 nm and one Ru(II)-centered oxidation at 1.32 V in CH₃CN solution at room temperature. Upon excitation into the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer band, the emission intensities of [{Ru(bpy)₂}₃(μ₃-L²)]⁶⁺ and [{Ru(bpy)₂}₃(μ₃-L³)]⁶⁺ are almost equal to that of [{Ru(bpy)₂}₃(μ₃-L¹)]⁶⁺ in CH₃CN solution at room temperature, but weaker than that of [{Ru(bpy)₂}₃(μ₃-L¹)]⁶⁺ in EtOH–MeOH (4?:?1, v/v) glassy matrix at 77 K.     

Synthesis and magnetism of 6-nitrobenzimidazolate and imidazolate-bridged copper(II) complexes

Summary Four new trinuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu(phen)-(NBzIm)] (ClO₄) (1), [Cu(bpy)(NBzIm)](ClO₄) (2), [Cu-(Me₂-bpy)(NBzIm)](Ac)·1/2H₂O (3) and [Cu(Me₂-bpy)-(Im)](ClO₄)·1/2H₂O (4) (phen = 1, 10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2-bipyridine, NBzIm = 6-nitrobenzimidazolate ion, Im=imidazolate ion) have been prepared and characterized by variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. A weak antiferromagnetic spin exchange interaction operates between copper(II) ions, exchange integrals evaluated as J =-23.82 cm^-1 for (1); and J=-21.91 cm^-1 for (2).     

Determination of the absolute configuration and identity of chiral carboxylic acids using a Cu(II) complex of pyridine–benzimidazole-based ligand

We report a new achiral Cu host [Cu(bmb–bpy)(H₂O)(OTf)₂] (bmb–bpy = 6,6′-bis[((1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)thio)methyl]-2,2′-bipyridine) for the enantioselective and chemoselective recognition of chiral carboxylic acids. The binding of chiral carboxylic acids to [Cu(bmb–bpy)(H₂O)(OTf)₂] produced an exciton-coupled circular dichroism signal; the linear discriminant analysis allowed the assignment of the absolute configuration, enantiomeric excess, and identity of chiral carboxylic acids.     

Di- and trinuclear Ru(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridine derivatives; synthesis,photophysical and electrochemical properties

Three heterotopic ligands L¹, L², and L³ based on 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridine moieties have been synthesized and characterized. The Ru(II) complexes [{Ru(bpy)₂}₃(µ₃-L¹)](PF₆)₆, [{Ru(bpy)₂}₃(µ₃-L²)](PF₆)₆, and [{Ru(bpy)₂}₂(µ₂-L³)](PF₆)₄ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been prepared by refluxing Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂·2H₂O with each ligand in ethanol. All three complexes display MLCT absorptions at around 455 nm and emissions at around 618 nm. Electrochemical studies of the complexes reveal one Ru(II)-centered quasi-reversible oxidation at around 1.32 V and three ligand-centered reductions in each case.