Synthesis and photophysical properties of novel amphiphilic ruthenium (II) complexes containing 4,4′‐dialkylaminomethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl ligands

The synthesis of a number of new 2,2′‐bipyridine ligands functionalized with bulky amino side groups is reported. Three homoleptic polypyridyl ruthenium (II) complexes, [Ru(L)₃]²⁺ 2(PF₆^?), where L is 4,4′‐dioctylaminomethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (Ru4a), 4,4′‐didodecylaminomethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (Ru4b) and 4,4′‐dioctadodecylaminomethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (Ru4c), have been synthesized. These compounds were characterized and their photophysical properties examined. The electronic spectra of three complexes show pyridyl π → π* transitions in the UV region and metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer bands in the visible region. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.