Separation of positional isomers of oxidation catalyst precursors

A series of polypyridyl ruthenium complexes of the general formula Ru(tpy)(bpy')Cl]+ where tpy is 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine and bpy' is 4-carboxy-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine (4-CO2H-4'-Mebpy), a proline derviative (4-CO-Pra-(Boc)(OMe)-4'-Mebpy), or 4-((diethoxyphosphinyl)methyl)-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine (4-CH2PO3Et2-4'-Mebpy) are prepared. For each complex, two isomers exist, and these are separated chromatographically. The structure of the hexafluorophosphate salt of cis-Ru(tpy)(4-CO2H-4'-Mebpy)Cl]+, cis-1, is determined by X-ray crystallography. The salt crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc with a = 12.4778(6) A, b = 12.6086(6) A, c = 20.1215(9) A, beta = 107.08200(1) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.058, and Rw = 0.072. The structures of the remaining complexes are assigned by 1H NMR comparisons with cis-1. The complexes are potentially important precursors for the incorporation of RuIV=O2+ oxidants into polymers or peptides or for their adsorption onto oxide surfaces. Preliminary electrochemical results for the isomers of Ru(tpy)(4-CH2PO3H2-4'-Mebpy)(H2O)]2+, 4, adsorbed on ITO (In2O3:Sn) surfaces add support to a recently proposed electron-transfer mechanism involving cross-surface proton-coupled electron transfer.