Syntheses, characterization, and photochemical properties of amidate-bridged Pt(bpy) dimers tethered to Ru(bpy)3(2+) derivatives

Amidate-bridged diplatinum(II) entities [Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-amidato)(2)](2+) (amidate = pivalamidate and/or benzamidate; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) were covalently linked to one or two Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-type derivatives. An amide group was introduced at the periphery of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) derivatives to give metalloamide precursors [Ru(bpy)(2)(BnH)](2+) (abbreviated as RuBnH, n = 1 and 2), where deprotonation of amide BnH affords the corresponding amidate Bn, B1H = 4-(4-carbamoylphenyl)-2,2'-bipyridine, and B2H = ethyl 4'-[N-(4-carbamoylphenyl)carbamoyl]-2,2'-bipyridine-4-carboxylate. From a 1:1:1 reaction of [Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-OH)(2)](NO(3))(2), RuBnH, and pivalamide, trinuclear complexes [Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-RuBn)(μ-pivalamidato)](4+) (abbreviated as RuBn-Pt(2)) were isolated and characterized. Tetranuclear complexes [Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-RuBn)(2)](6+) (abbreviated as (RuBn)(2)-Pt(2)) were separately prepared and characterized in detail. The quenching of the triplet excited state of the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) derivative (i.e., Ru*(bpy)(3)(2+)) upon tethering the Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-amidato)(2)(2+) moiety is strongly enhanced in RuB1-Pt(2) and (RuB1)(2)-Pt(2), while it is only slightly enhanced in RuB2-Pt(2) and (RuB2)(2)-Pt(2). These are partly explained by the driving forces for the electron transfer from the Ru*(bpy)(3)(2+) moiety to the Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-amidato)(2)(2+) moiety (ΔG°(ET)); the ΔG°(ET) values for RuB1-Pt(2), (RuB1)(2)-Pt(2), RuB2-Pt(2), and (RuB2)(2)-Pt(2) are estimated as -0.01, 0.00, +0.22, and +0.28 eV, respectively. The considerable difference in the photochemical properties of the B1- and B2-bridged systems were further examined based on the emission decay and transient absorption measurements, which gave results consistent with the above conclusions.     

Electron donor-acceptor dyads and triads based on tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) and benzoquinone: synthesis,characterization, and photoinduced electron transfer reactions

Two electron donor-acceptor triads based on a benzoquinone acceptor linked to a light absorbing [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) complex have been synthesized. In triad 6 (denoted Ru(II)-BQ-Co(III)), a [Co(bpy)(3)](3+) complex, a potential secondary acceptor, was linked to the quinone. In the other triad, 8 (denoted PTZ-Ru(II)-BQ), a phenothiazine donor was linked to the ruthenium moiety. The corresponding dyads Ru(II)-BQ (4) and PTZ-Ru(II) (9) were prepared for comparison. Upon light excitation in the visible band of the ruthenium moiety, electron transfer to the quinone occurred with a rate constant k(f) = 5 x 10(9) s(-)(1) (tau(f) = 200 ps) in all the quinone containing complexes. Recombination to the ground state followed, with a rate constant k(b) approximately 4.5 x 10(8) s(-)(1) (tau(b) approximately 2.2 ns), for both Ru(II)-BQ and Ru(II)-BQ-Co(III) with no indication of a charge shift to generate the reduced Co(II) moiety. In the PTZ-Ru(II)-BQ triad, however, the initial charge separation was followed by a rapid (k > 5 x 10(9) s(-)(1)) electron transfer from the phenothiazine moiety to give the fairly long-lived PTZ(*)(+)-Ru(II)-BQ(*)(-) state (tau = 80 ns) in unusually high yield for a [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+)-based triad (> 90%), that lies at DeltaG degrees = 1.32 eV relative to the ground state. Unfortunately, this triad turned out to be rather photolabile. Interestingly, coupling between the oxidized PTZ(*)(+) and the BQ(*)(-) moieties seemed to occur. This discouraged further extension to incorporate more redox active units. Finally, in the dyad PTZ-Ru(II) a reversible, near isoergonic electron transfer was observed on excitation. Thus, a quasiequilibrium was established with an observed time constant of 7 ns, with ca. 82% of the population in the PTZ-Ru(II) state and 18% in the PTZ(*)(+)-Ru(II)(bpy(*)(-)) state. These states decayed in parallel with an observed lifetime of 90 ns. The initial electron transfer to form the PTZ(*)(+)-Ru(II)(bpy(*)(-)) state was thus faster than what would have been inferred from the Ru(II) emission decay (tau = 90 ns). This result suggests that reports for related PTZ-Ru(II) and PTZ-Ru(II)-acceptor complexes in the literature might need to be reconsidered.     

Near-infrared absorbing and emitting Ru(II)-Pt(II) heterodimetallic complexes of dpdpz (dpdpz = 2,3-di(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenylpyrazine)

The reaction of 2,3-di(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenylpyrazine (dpdpz) with K(2)PtCl(4) in a mixture of acetonitrile and water afforded mono-Pt complex (dpdpz)PtCl(2)4 in good yield, with two lateral pyridine nitrogen atoms binding to the metal center. Two types of Ru(II)-Pt(II) heterodimetallic complexes bridged by dpdpz, namely, [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpdpz)Pt(C≡CC(6)H(4)R)](2+) (7-9, R = H, NMe(2), or Cl, respectively) and [(tpy)Ru(dpdpz)Pt(C≡CPh)] (+) (12), were then designed and prepared, where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and tpy = 2,2';6',2'-terpyridine. In both cases, the platinum atom binds to dpdpz with a C(∧)N(∧)N tridentate mode. However, the coordination of the ruthenium atom with dpdpz could either be noncyclometalated (N(∧)N bidentate) or cyclometalated (C(∧)N(∧)N tridentate). The electronic properties of these complexes were subsequently studied and compared by spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses and theoretical calculations. These complexes exhibit substantial absorption in the visible to NIR (near-infrared) region because of mixed MLCT (metal-to-ligand-charge-tranfer) transitions from both the ruthenium and the platinum centers. Complexes 7 and 9 were found to emit NIR light with higher quantum yields than those of the mono-Ru complex [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpdpz)](2+) (5) and bis-Ru complex [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpdpz)Ru(bpy)(2)](4+) (13). However, no emission was detected from complex 8 or 12 at room temperature in acetonitrile.     

Ruthenium(II)-polyazine light absorbers bridged to reactive cis-dichlororhodium(III) centers in a bimetallic molecular architecture

Bimetallic complexes of the form [(bpy)(2)Ru(BL)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and BL = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp) or 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpm), were synthesized, characterized, and compared to the [{(bpy)(2)Ru(BL)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) trimetallic analogues. The new complexes were synthesized via the building block method, exploiting the known coordination chemistry of Rh(III) polyazine complexes. In contrast to [{(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) and [{(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5), [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) and [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) have a single visible light absorber subunit coupled to the cis-Rh(III)Cl(2) moiety, an unexplored molecular architecture. The electrochemistry of [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) showed a reversible oxidation at 1.61 V (vs Ag/AgCl) (Ru(III/II)), quasi-reversible reductions at -0.39 V, -0.74, and -0.98 V. The first two reductive couples corresponded to two electrons, consistent with Rh reduction. The electrochemistry of [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) exhibited a reversible oxidation at 1.76 V (Ru(III/II)). A reversible reduction at -0.14 V (bpm(0/-)), and quasi-reversible reductions at -0.77 and -0.91 V each corresponded to a one electron process, bpm(0/-), Rh(III/II), and Rh(II/I). The dpp bridged bimetallic and trimetallic display Ru(dpi)-->dpp(pi*) metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions at 509 nm (14,700 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 518 nm (26,100 M(-1) cm(-1)), respectively. The bpm bridged bimetallic and trimetallic display Ru(dpi)-->bpm(pi*) charge transfer (CT) transitions at 581 nm (4,000 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 594 nm (9,900 M(-1) cm(-1)), respectively. The heteronuclear complexes [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) and [{(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) had (3)MLCT emissions that are Ru(dpi)-->dpp(pi*) CT in nature but were red-shifted and lower intensity than [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)Ru(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(4). The lifetimes of the (3)MLCT state of [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) at room temperature (30 ns) was shorter than [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)Ru(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(4), consistent with favorable electron transfer to Rh(III) to generate a metal-to-metal charge-transfer ((3)MMCT) state. The reported synthetic methods provide means to a new molecular architecture coupling a single Ru light absorber to the Rh(III) center while retaining the interesting cis-Rh(III)Cl(2) moiety.     

Electrochemiluminescent peptide nucleic acid-like monomers containing Ru(II)-dipyridoquinoxaline and Ru(II)-dipyridophenazine complexes

A series of Ru(II)-peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-like monomers, [Ru(bpy)(2)(dpq-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M1), [Ru(phen)(2)(dpq-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M2), [Ru(bpy)(2)(dppz-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M3), and [Ru(phen)(2)(dppz-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M4) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dpq-L-PNA-OH = 2-(N-(2-(((9H-fluoren-9-yl)methoxy)carbonylamino)ethyl)-6-(dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine-11-carboxamido)hexanamido)acetic acid, dppz-L-PNA-OH = 2-(N-(2-(((9H-fluoren-9-yl) methoxy)carbonylamino)ethyl)-6-(dipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline-2-carboxamido)acetic acid) have been synthesized and characterized by IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. As is typical for Ru(II)-tris(diimine) complexes, acetonitrile solutions of these complexes (M1-M4) show MLCT transitions in the 443-455 nm region and emission maxima at 618, 613, 658, and 660 nm, respectively, upon photoexcitation at 450 nm. Changes in the ligand environment around the Ru(II) center are reflected in the luminescence and electrochemical response obtained from these monomers. The emission intensity and quantum yield for M1 and M2 were found to be higher than for M3 and M4. Electrochemical studies in acetonitrile show the Ru(II)-PNA monomers to undergo a one-electron redox process associated with Ru(II) to Ru(III) oxidation. A positive shift was observed in the reversible redox potentials for M1-M4 (962, 951, 936, and 938 mV, respectively, vs Fc(0/+) (Fc = ferrocene)) in comparison with [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (888 mV vs Fc(0/+)). The ability of the Ru(II)-PNA monomers to generate electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was assessed in acetonitrile solutions containing tripropylamine (TPA) as a coreactant. Intense ECL signals were observed with emission maxima for M1-M4 at 622, 616, 673, and 675 nm, respectively. At an applied potential sufficiently positive to oxidize the ruthenium center, the integrated intensity for ECL from the PNA monomers was found to vary in the order M1 (62%) > M3 (60%) > M4 (46%) > M2 (44%) with respect to [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (100%). These findings indicate that such Ru(II)-PNA bioconjugates could be investigated as multimodal labels for biosensing applications.     

Metal to ligand charge transfer induced DNA photobinding in a Ru(II)-Pt(II) supramolecule using red light in the therapeutic window: a new mechanism for DNA modification

The Ru(II)-Pt(II) supramolecular complex, [(Ph(2)phen)(2)Ru(dpp)PtCl(2)](2+), displays a new mechanism for DNA modification: photobinding through a (3)MLCT excited state. Gel shift analysis, selective DNA precipitation, and DNA melting point experiments support efficient covalent DNA binding following visible light excitation.     

DNA mismatch detection by resonance energy transfer between ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) chromophores

Octahedral tris-chelate complexes [M(II)(bpy)(3)](2+) (M = Ru or Os, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl), covalently attached to the 3'- and 5'-phosphates of two oligonucleotides, are juxtaposed when hybridized contiguously to a fully complementary DNA target. Visible metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excitation of the [Ru(II)(bpy)(3)](2+) unit leads to resonance energy transfer to the MLCT state of the [Os(II)(bpy)(3)](2+) moiety, with the energy transfer efficiency depending on the degree of hybridization. The extent of attenuation of the intense red luminescence from the Ru(II) chromophore hence allows highly sensitive structural probing of the assembly and constitutes a novel approach to DNA sensing which is capable of detecting mutations.     

Synthesis, anticancer and antibacterial activity of some novel mononuclear Ru(II) complexes

In search of potential anticancer drug candidates in ruthenium complexes, a series of mononuclear ruthenium complexes of the type [Ru(phen)(2)(nmit)]Cl(2) (Ru1), [Ru(bpy)(2)(nmit)]Cl(2) (Ru2), [Ru(phen)(2)(icpl)]Cl(2) (Ru3), Ru(bpy)(2)(icpl)]Cl(2) (Ru4) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline; bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; nmit=N-methyl-isatin-3-thiosemicarbazone, icpl=isatin-3-(4-Cl-phenyl)thiosemicarbazone) and [Ru(phen)(2)(aze)]Cl(2) (Ru5), [Ru(bpy)(2)(aze)]Cl(2) (Ru6) (aze=acetazolamide) and [Ru(phen)(2)(R-tsc)](ClO(4))(2) (R=methyl (Ru7), ethyl (Ru8), cyclohexyl (Ru9), 4-Cl-phenyl (10), 4-Br-phenyl (Ru11), and 4-EtO-phenyl (Ru12), tsc=thiosemicarbazone) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, (1)H-NMR and FAB-MS. Effect of these complexes on the growth of a transplantable murine tumor cell line (Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma) and their antibacterial activity were studied. In cancer study the effect of hematological profile of the tumor hosts have also been studied. In the cancer study, the complexes Ru1-Ru4, Ru10 and Ru11 have remarkably decreased the tumor volume and viable ascitic cell count as indicated by trypan blue dye exclusion test (p<0.05). Treatment with the ruthenium complexes prolonged the lifespan of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice. Tumor inhibition by the ruthenium chelates was followed by improvements in hemoglobin, RBC and WBC values. All the complexes showed antibacterial activity, except Ru5 and Ru6. Thus, the results suggest that these ruthenium complexes have significant antitumor property and antibacterial activity. The results also reflect that the drug does not adversely affect the hematological profiles as compared to that of cisplatin on the host.     

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes as carriers for DNA delivery

Two novel water soluble ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(bqbg)](2+) and [Ru(phen)(2)(bqbg)](2+) have been structurally characterized and their DNA condensation activity, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake studies of DNA condensates as potential non-viral DNA carriers were evaluated.     

Synthesis of heteroleptic bis(diimine)carbonylchlororuthenium(II) complexes from photodecarbonylated precursors

The reactions of bidentate diimine ligands (L2) with binuclear [Ru(L1)(CO)Cl2]2 complexes [L1 not equal to L2 = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (4,4'-Me2bpy), 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (5,5'-Me2bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Me2phen), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-Me2phen), di(2-pyridyl)ketone (dpk), di(2-pyridyl)amine (dpa)] result in cleavage of the dichloride bridge and the formation of cationic [Ru(L1)(L2)(CO)Cl]+ complexes. In addition to spectroscopic characterization, the structures of the [Ru(bpy)(phen)(CO)Cl]+, [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)(5,6-Me2phen)(CO)Cl]+ (as two polymorphs), [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)(4,7-Me2phen)(CO)Cl]+, [Ru(bpy)(dpa)(CO)Cl]+, [Ru(5,5'-Me2bpy)(dpa)(CO)Cl]+, [Ru(bpy)(dpk)(CO)Cl]+, and [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)(dpk)(CO)Cl]+ cations were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. In each case, the structurally characterized complex had the carbonyl ligand trans to a nitrogen from the incoming diimine ligand, these complexes corresponding to the main isomers isolated from the reaction mixtures. The synthesis of [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)(5,6-Me2bpy)(CO)(NO3)]+ from [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)(5,6-Me2bpy)(CO)Cl]+ and AgNO3 demonstrates that exchange of the chloro ligand can be achieved.     

Long-lived charge-separation by retarding reverse flow of charge-balancing cation and zeolite-encapsulated Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) as photosensitized electron pump from zeolite framework to externally placed viologen

K(+)-exchanged, Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-encapsulating zeolite-Y [K(+)-Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)Y] and N-[3-(dicyclohexylmethyl)oxypropyl-N'-methyl-4,4'-bipyridinium [DCH-MV(2+)] were prepared, and visible light-induced electron transfer from the zeolite-encapsulated Ru(II) complex to the size-excluded viologen was studied in acetonitrile. Addition of a series of crown ethers (CEs) into the heterogeneous solution leads to over a 10-fold increase in the yield of DCH-MV(*)(+), where the yield linearly increases as the formation constant of CE with K(+) [K(f)(K(+))(CE)] increases. The following two sequential events are attributed to be responsible for the above novel phenomenon. First, K(+) ions are liberated from the zeolite to solution during interfacial electron transfer from the photoexcited Ru(II) complexes to DCH-MV(2+). Second, the liberated K(+) ions form strong host-guest complexes with the added CE molecules, which leads to retardation of the reverse flow of the cations, hence the charge-balancing electrons, from the solution to the zeolite. Surprisingly, the yield of DCH-MV(*)(+) reaches more than approximately 50 times the amount of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) situated in the outermost supercages, despite the absence of electron relay in the zeolite. This is attributed to photosensitized electron pumping from the zeolite framework to viologen by the outermost Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) ions. In support of the above conclusion, Ru(bpy)(3)(3+) does not accumulate in the zeolite host while DCH-MV(*)(+) accumulates in the supernatant solution. Consistent with the above, the independently prepared hexafluorophosphate salt of Ru(bpy)(3)(3+) is reduced to Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) in acetonitrile upon contact with Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-free M(+)Y (M(+) = Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+)), where the yield increases as the donor strength of the framework oxygen increases. Although small, thermal electron transfer also takes place from the zeolite framework to DCH-MV(2+), where the yield increases upon increasing the donor strength of the framework, concentration of DCH-MV(2+), temperature, and K(f)(K(+))(CE) (when K(+)Y is the zeolite host). The photoyield is always higher than the thermal yield by 4-30 times, confirming that the zeolite-encapsulated Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) serves as the photosensitized electron pump.     

The synthesis and structure of heteroleptic tris(diimine)ruthenium(II) complexes

The reactions of bidentate diimine ligands (L2) with cationic bis(diimine)[Ru(L)(L1)(CO)Cl]+ complexes (L, L1, L2 are dissimilar diimine ligands), in the presence of trimethylamine-N-oxide (Me3NO) as a decarbonylation reagent, lead to the formation of heteroleptic tris(diimine) ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(L)(L1)(L2)]2+. Typically isolated as hexafluorophosphate or perchlorate salts, these complexes were characterised by UV-visible, infrared and mass spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, microanalyses and NMR spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray studies have elucidated the structures of K[Ru(bpy)(phen)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)](PF(6))(3).1/2H(2)O, [Ru(bpy)(5,6-Me(2)phen)(Hdpa)](ClO(4))(2), [Ru(bpy)(phen)(5,6-Me(2)phen)](ClO(4))(2), [Ru(bpy)(5,6'-Me(2)phen)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)](PF(6))(2).EtOH, [Ru(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)(phen)(Hdpa)](PF(6))(2).MeOH and [Ru(bpy)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)(Hdpa)](ClO(4))(2).1/2Hdpa (where Hdpa is di(2-pyridyl)amine). A novel feature of the first complex is the presence of a dinuclear anionic adduct, [K(2)(PF(6))(6)](4-), in which the two potassium centres are bridged by two fluorides from different hexafluorophosphate ions forming a K(2)F(2) bridging unit and by two KFPFK bridging moieties.     

Photophysical properties of TiO(2) surfaces modified with dinuclear RuRu and RuOs polypyridyl complexes

The photophysical properties of nanoporous TiO(2) surfaces modified with two new Ru(II)-(bpt)-Ru(II) and Ru(II)-(bpt)-Os(II) polypyridyl complexes are reported. These dyads have been prepared by a two-step synthetic pathway. In the first step, [Ru(dcbpy)(2)Cl(2)], where dcbpy is 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2-bipyridyl, was reacted with the bridging ligand 3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (Hbpt) to yield the mononuclear precursor Na(3)[Ru(dcbpy)(2)(bpt)].3H(2)O. Subsequent reaction of this compound with either [Ru(bpy)(2)Cl(2)] or [Os(bpy)(2)Cl(2)] yields the Ru(II)-Ru(II) and Ru(II)-Os(II) dyads. Electrochemical data, together with time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy and the investigation of the incident-photon-to-current-efficiency (IPCE), have been used to obtain a detailed picture of the photoinduced charge injection properties of these dyads. These measurements indicate that for the heterosupramolecular triad based on Ru(II)-(bpt)-Ru(II), the final product species obtained upon charge injection is TiO(2)(e)-Ru(II)Ru(III). For the mixed metal Ru(II)-(bpt)-Os(II) dyad, both metal centers inject efficiently into the semiconductor surface and as a result TiO(2)(e)-Ru(II)Os(III) is obtained as a single charge-separated product.     

Syntheses, characterization, and photo-hydrogen-evolving properties of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) derivatives tethered to a cis-Pt(II)Cl2 unit: insights into the structure-activity relationship

The photo-hydrogen-evolving activity (activity to enhance the photochemical EDTA-reduction of water into molecular hydrogen) was evaluated for three different Ru(II)Pt(II) dimers with a general formula of [(bpy)2Ru(micro-bridge)PtCl2]2+(bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; bridge = 4,4'-bis(N-(3-aminopropyl)carbamoyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (L1), 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (L2), and 4,4'-bis(N-(4-pyridyl)methylcarbamoyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (L3); EDTA = ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt). A new Ru(II)Pt(II) complex, [(bpy)2Ru(micro-L3)PtCl2]2+, was synthesized and characterized. It was confirmed that all three compounds are ineffective towards photochemical H2 production. In each case, an acetate-buffer solution (pH = 5) containing the Ru(II)Pt(II) dimer and EDTA was photolysed using a 350-W Xe lamp under an Ar atmosphere, during which the amount of H2 evolved was analysed by gas chromatography. Additional photolysis experiments were carried out by adding [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and methylviologen (N,N'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium) to the photolysis solutions described above to test the H2-evolving activity of the Pt(II) unit involved in these Ru(II)Pt(II) dimers. As a result, the Pt(II) units involved in the L1 and L2 compounds were found to be active as an H2-evolving catalyst, while that of the L3 compound was found to show no activity at all. The extent of intramolecular electron-transfer quenching from the 3MLCT excited state of the [Ru(bpy)3]2+ derivative to the tethering Pt(II) catalyst centre was investigated by comparison of the luminescence spectra of these compounds, together with the related compounds. The results showed that the quenching of the 3MLCT luminescence is not at all enhanced in either the L1 or the L3 compounds. On the other hand, the L2 compound is strongly quenched as previously reported. In addition to the above studies, the H2-evolving activity of some Pt(II) monomers, cis-PtCl2(NH3)2, PtCl2(en)(en = ethylenediamine), cis-PtCl2(4-methylpyridine)2, PtCl2(2,2'-bipyrimidine), PtCl2(4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine), and [PtCl(terpy)]+(terpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine), were similarly investigated in the presence of EDTA, [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and methylviologen, since they were regarded as structural analogues of the Pt(II) units involved in the L1-L3 compounds. The compounds having a cis-Pt(II)Cl2 unit were generally found to show high H2-evolving activity. This was interpreted in terms of the ligation of negatively charged chloride anions leading to the destabilization of the Pt(II) dz2 orbital responsible for the hydrogenic activation. Importantly, cis-PtCl2(4-methylpyridine)2 exhibited relatively high activity as an H2-evolving catalyst, suggesting the importance of the flexible rotation of the pyridyl ligands for efficient hydrogenic activation at the axial site of the Pt(II) ion. The DFT calculations also showed the validity of the structure-activity relationship discussed above for the L3 compound.     

Ruthenium nitrosyl complexes with 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane and 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) or 2-phenylazopyridine (pap) coligands. Electronic structure and reactivity aspects

The present article describes ruthenium nitrosyl complexes with the {RuNO}(6) and {RuNO}(7) notations in the selective molecular frameworks of [Ru(II)([9]aneS(3))(bpy)(NO(+))](3+) (4(3+)), [Ru(II)([9]aneS(3))(pap) (NO(+))](3+) (8(3+)) and [Ru(II)([9]aneS(3))(bpy)(NO˙)](2+) (4(2+)), [Ru(II)([9]aneS(3))(pap)(NO˙)](2+) (8(2+)) ([9]aneS(3) = 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, pap = 2-phenylazopyridine), respectively. The nitrosyl complexes have been synthesized by following a stepwise synthetic procedure: {Ru(II)-Cl} → {Ru(II)-CH(3)CN} → {Ru(II)-NO(2)} → {Ru(II)-NO(+)} → {Ru(II)-NO˙}. The single-crystal X-ray structure of 4(3+) and DFT optimised structures of 4(3+), 8(3+) and 4(2+), 8(2+) establish the localised linear and bent geometries for {Ru-NO(+)} and {Ru-NO˙} complexes, respectively. The crystal structures and (1)H/(13)C NMR suggest the [333] conformation of the coordinated macrocyclic ligand ([9]aneS(3)) in the complexes. The difference in π-accepting strength of the co-ligands, bpy in 4(3+) and pap in 8(3+) (bpy < pap) has been reflected in the ν(NO) frequencies of 1945 cm(-1) (DFT: 1943 cm(-1)) and 1964 cm(-1) (DFT: 1966 cm(-1)) and E°({Ru(II)-NO(+)}/{Ru(II)-NO˙}) of 0.49 and 0.67 V versus SCE, respectively. The ν(NO) frequency of the reduced {Ru-NO˙} state in 4(2+) or 8(2+) however decreases to 1632 cm(-1) (DFT: 1637 cm(-1)) or 1634 cm(-1) (DFT: 1632 cm(-1)), respectively, with the change of the linear {Ru(II)-NO(+)} geometry in 4(3+), 8(3+) to bent {Ru(II)-NO˙} geometry in 4(2+), 8(2+). The preferential stabilisation of the eclipsed conformation of the bent NO in 4(2+) and 8(2+) has been supported by the DFT calculations. The reduced {Ru(II)-NO˙} exhibits free-radical EPR with partial metal contribution revealing the resonance formulation of {Ru(II)-NO˙}(major)?{Ru(I)-NO(+)}(minor). The electronic transitions of the complexes have been assigned based on the TD-DFT calculations on their DFT optimised structures. The estimated second-order rate constant (k, M(-1) s(-1)) of the reaction of the nucleophile, OH(-) with the electrophilic {Ru(II)-NO(+)} for the bpy derivative (4(3+)) of 1.39 × 10(-1) is half of that determined for the pap derivative (8(3+)), 2.84 × 10(-1) in CH(3)CN at 298 K. The Ru-NO bond in 4(3+) or 8(3+) undergoes facile photolytic cleavage to form the corresponding solvent species {Ru(II)-CH(3)CN}, 2(2+) or 6(2+) with widely varying rate constant values, (k(NO), s(-1)) of 1.12 × 10(-1) (t(1/2) = 6.2 s) and 7.67 × 10(-3) (t(1/2) = 90.3 s), respectively. The photo-released NO can bind to the reduced myoglobin to yield the Mb-NO adduct.     

Photochemical and thermal hydrogen production from water catalyzed by carboxylate-bridged dirhodium(II) complexes

A series of dinuclear Rh(II) complexes, [Rh(2)(μ-OAc)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] (HOAc = acetic acid) (1), [Rh(2)(μ-gly)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] (Hgly = glycolic acid) (2), [Rh(2)(μ-CF(3)CO(2))(4)(acetone)(2)] (3), and [Rh(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-OAc)(2)(OAc)(2)] (4), were found to serve as H(2)-evolving catalysts in a three-component system consisting of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)), methylviologen (MV(2+)), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA). It was also confirmed that thermal reduction of water into H(2) by MV(+)˙, in situ generated by the bulk electrolysis of MV(2+), is effectively promoted by 1 as a H(2)-evolving catalyst. The absorption spectra of the photolysis solution during the photocatalysis were monitored up to 6 h to reveal that the formation of photochemical or thermal byproducts of MV(+)˙ is dramatically retarded in the presence of the Rh(II)(2) catalysts, for the H(2) formation rather than the decomposition of MV(+)˙ becomes predominant in the presence of the Rh(II)(2) catalysts. The stability of the Rh(II)(2) dimers was confirmed by absorption spectroscopy, (1)H NMR, and ESI-TOF mass spectroscopy. The results indicated that neither elimination nor replacement of the equatorial ligands take place during the photolysis, revealing that one of the axial sites of the Rh(2) core is responsible for the hydrogenic activation. The quenching of Ru*(bpy)(3)(2+) by 1 was also investigated by luminescence spectroscopy. The rate of H(2) evolution was found to decrease upon increasing the concentration of 1, indicating that the quenching of Ru*(bpy)(3)(2+) by the Rh(ii)(2) species rather than by MV(2+) becomes predominant at the higher concentrations of 1. The DFT calculations were carried out for several possible reaction paths proposed (e.g., [Rh(II)(2)(μ-OAc)(4)(H(2)O)] + H(+) and [Rh(II)(2)(μ-OAc)(4)(H(2)O)] + H(+) + e(-)). It is suggested that the initial step is a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) to the Rh(II)(2) dimer leading to the formation of a Rh(II)Rh(III)-H intermediate. The H(2) evolution step is suggested to proceed either via the transfer of another set of H(+) and e(-) to the Rh(II)Rh(III)-H intermediate or via the homolytic radical coupling through the interaction of two Rh(II)Rh(III)-H intermediates.     

Mixed-metal supramolecular complexes coupling phosphine-containing Ru(II) light absorbers to a reactive Pt(II) through polyazine bridging ligands

Supramolecular bimetallic Ru(II)/Pt(II) complexes [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)PtCl(2)](2+) and their synthons [(tpy)Ru(L)(BL)](n)()(+) (where L = Cl(-), CH(3)CN, or PEt(2)Ph; tpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine; and BL = 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpm) or 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp)) have been synthesized and studied by cyclic voltammetry, electronic absorption spectroscopy, mass spectral analysis, and (31)P NMR. The mixed-metal bimetallic complexes couple phosphine-containing Ru chromophores to a reactive Pt site. These complexes show how substitution of the monodentate ligand on the [(tpy)RuCl(BL)](+) synthons can tune the properties of these light absorbers (LA) and incorporate a (31)P NMR tag by addition of the PEt(2)Ph ligand. The redox potentials for the Ru(III/II) couples occur at values greater than 1.00 V versus the Ag/AgCl reference electrode and can be tuned to more positive potentials on going from Cl(-) to CH(3)CN or PEt(2)Ph (E(1/2) = 1.01, 1.55, and 1.56 V, respectively, for BL = bpm). The BL(0/-) couple at -1.03 (bpm) and -1.05 V (dpp) for [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)](2+) shifts dramatically to more positive potentials upon the addition of the PtCl(2) moiety to -0.34 (bpm) and -0.50 V (dpp) for the [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)PtCl(2)](2+) bridged complex. The lowest energy electronic absorption for these complexes is assigned as the Ru(d pi) --> BL(pi*) metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition. These MLCT transitions are tuned to higher energy in the monometallic synthons when Cl(-) is replaced by CH(3)CN or PEt(2)Ph (516, 452, and 450 nm, for BL = bpm, respectively) and to lower energy when Pt(II)Cl(2) is coordinated to the bridging ligand (560 and 506 nm for BL = bpm or dpp). This MLCT state displays a broad emission at room temperature for all the dpp systems with the [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(dpp)PtCl(2)](2+) system exhibiting an emission centered at 750 nm with a lifetime of 56 ns. These supramolecular complexes [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)PtCl(2)](2+) represent the covalent linkage of TAG-LA-BL-RM assembly (TAG = NMR active tag, RM = Pt(II) reactive metal).     

Comparison of Physical and Photophysical Properties of Monometallic and Bimetallic Ruthenium(II) Complexes Containing Structurally Altered Diimine Ligands

The physical and photophysical properties of a series of monometallic, [Ru(bpy)(2)(dmb)](2+), [Ru(bpy)(2)(BPY)](2+), [Ru(bpy)(Obpy)](2+) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(Obpy)](2+), and bimetallic, [{Ru(bpy)(2)}(2)(BPY)](4+) and [{Ru(bpy)(2)}(2)(Obpy)](4+), complexes are examined, where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, dmb is 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, BPY is 1,2-bis(4-methyl-2,2'-bipyridin-4'-yl)ethane, and Obpy is 1,2-bis(2,2'-bipyridin-6-yl)ethane. The complexes display metal-to-ligand charge transfer transitions in the 450 nm region, intraligand pi --> pi transitions at energies greater than 300 nm, a reversible oxidation of the ruthenium(II) center in the 1.25-1.40 V vs SSCE region, a series of three reductions associated with each coordinated ligand commencing at -1.3 V and ending at approximately -1.9 V, and emission from a (3)MLCT state having energy maxima between 598 and 610 nm. The Ru(III)/Ru(II) oxidation of the two bimetallic complexes is a single, two one-electron process. Relative to [Ru(bpy)(2)(BPY)](2+), the Ru(III)/Ru(II) potential for [Ru(bpy)(2)(Obpy)](2+) increases from 1.24 to 1.35 V, the room temperature emission lifetime decreases from 740 to 3 ns, and the emission quantum yield decreases from 0.078 to 0.000 23. Similarly, relative to [{Ru(bpy)(2)}(2)(BPY)](4+), the Ru(III)/Ru(II) potential for [{Ru(bpy)(2)}(2)(Obpy)](4+) increases from 1.28 to 1.32 V, the room temperature emission lifetime decreases from 770 to 3 ns, and the room temperature emission quantum yield decreases from 0.079 to 0.000 26. Emission lifetimes measured in 4:1 ethanol:methanol were temperature dependent over 90-360 K. In the fluid environment, emission lifetimes display a biexponential energy dependence ranging from 100 to 241 cm(-)(1) for the first energy of activation and 2300-4300 cm(-)(1) for the second one. The smaller energy is attributed to changes in the local matrix of the chromophores and the larger energy of activation to population of a higher energy dd state. Explanations for the variations in physical properties are based on molecular mechanics calculations which reveal that the Ru-N bond distance increases from 2.05 ? (from Ru(II) to bpy and BPY) to 2.08 ? (from Ru(II) to Obpy) and that the metal-to-metal distance increases from approximately 7.5 ? for [{Ru(bpy)(2)}(2)(Obpy)](4+) to approximately 14 ? for [{Ru(bpy)(2)}(2)(BPY)](4+).     

Tetranuclear polybipyridyl complexes of Ru(II) and Mn(II), their electro- and photo-induced transformation into di-mu-oxo Mn(III)Mn(IV) hexanuclear complexes

Three heterotetranuclear complexes, [{Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(n))}(3)Mn(II)](8+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, n = 2, 4, 6), in which a Mn(II)-tris-bipyridine-like centre is covalently linked to three Ru(II)-tris-bipyridine-like moieties using bridging bis-bipyridine L(n) ligands, have been synthesised and characterised. The electrochemical, photophysical and photochemical properties of these complexes have been investigated in CH(3)CN. The cyclic voltammograms of the three complexes exhibit two successive very close one-electron metal-centred oxidation processes in the positive potential region. The first, which is irreversible, corresponds to the Mn(II)/Mn(III) redox system (E(pa) approximately 0.82 V vs Ag/Ag(+) 0.01 M in CH(3)CN-0.1 M Bu(4)NClO(4)), whereas the second which is, reversible, is associated with the Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox couple (E(1/2) approximately 0.91 V). In the negative potential region, three successive reversible four electron systems are observed, corresponding to ligand-based reduction processes. The three stable dimeric oxidized forms of the complexes, [Mn(2)(III,IV)O(2){Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(n))}(4)](11+), [Mn(2)(IV,IV)O(2){Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(n))}(4)](12+) and [Mn(2)(IV,IV)O(2){Ru(III)(bpy)(2)(L(n))}(4)](16+) are obtained in fairly good yields by sequential electrolyses after consumption of respectively 1.5, 0.5 and 3 electrons per molecule of initial tetranuclear complexes. The formation of the di-micro-oxo binuclear complexes are the result of the instability of the {[Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(n))](3)Mn(III)}(9+) species, which react with residual water, via a disproportionation reaction and the release of one ligand, [Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(n))](2+). A quantitative yield can be obtained for these reactions if the electrochemical oxidations are performed in the presence of an added external base like 2,6-dimethylpyridine. Photophysical properties of these compounds have been investigated showing that the luminescence of the Ru(II)-tris-bipyridine-like moieties is little affected by the presence of manganese within the tetranuclear complexes. A slight quenching of the excited states of the ruthenium moieties, which occurs by an intramolecular process, has been observed. Measurements made at low concentration (<1 x 10(-5) M) indicate that some decoordination of Mn(2+) arises in 1a-c. These measurements allow the calculation of the association constants for these complexes. Finally, photoinduced oxidation of the tetranuclear complexes has been performed by continuous photolysis experiments in the presence of a large excess of a diazonium salt, acting as a sacrificial oxidant. The three successive oxidation processes, Mn(II)--> Mn(III)Mn(IV), Mn(III)Mn(IV)--> Mn(IV)Mn(IV) and Ru(II)--> Ru(III) are thus obtained, the addition of 2,6-dimethylpyridine in the medium giving an essentially quantitative yield for the two first photo-induced oxidation steps as found for electrochemical oxidation.     

Electrochemical, spectroscopic, and photophysical properties of structurally diverse polyazine-bridged Ru(II),Pt(II) and Os(II),Ru(II),Pt(II) supramolecular motifs

Five new tetrametallic supramolecules of the motif [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)PtCl(2)](6+) and three new trimetallic light absorbers [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)](6+) (TL = bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine or phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; M = Ru(II) or Os(II); BL = dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, dpq = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline, or bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) were synthesized and their redox, spectroscopic, and photophysical properties investigated. The tetrametallic complexes couple a Pt(II)-based reactive metal center to Ru and/or Os light absorbers through two different polyazine BL to provide structural diversity and interesting resultant properties. The redox potential of the M(II/III) couple is modulated by M variation, with the terminal Ru(II/III) occurring at 1.58-1.61 V and terminal Os(II/III) couples at 1.07-1.18 V versus Ag/AgCl. [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)](PF(6))(6) display terminal M(dπ)-based highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) with the dpp(π*)-based lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy relatively unaffected by the nature of BL. The coupling of Pt to the BL results in orbital inversion with localization of the LUMO on the remote BL in the tetrametallic complexes, providing a lowest energy charge separated (CS) state with an oxidized terminal Ru or Os and spatially separated reduced BL. The complexes [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)](6+) and [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)PtCl(2)](6+) efficiently absorb light throughout the UV and visible regions with intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions in the visible at about 540 nm (M = Ru) and 560 nm (M = Os) (ε ≈ 33,000-42,000 M(-1) cm(-1)) and direct excitation to the spin-forbidden (3)MLCT excited state in the Os complexes about 720 nm. All the trimetallic and tetrametallic Ru-based supramolecular systems emit from the terminal Ru(dπ)→dpp(π*) (3)MLCT state, λ(max)(em) ≈ 750 nm. The tetrametallic systems display complex excited state dynamics with quenching of the (3)MLCT emission at room temperature to populate the lowest-lying (3)CS state population of the emissive (3)MLCT state.