Coupling of metal-based light-harvesting antennas and electron-donor subunits: trinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes containing tetrathiafulvalene-substituted polypyridine ligands

Three new tetrathiafulvalene-substituted 2,2'-bipyridine ligands, cis-bpy-TTF(1), trans-bpy-TTF(1), and cis-bpy-TTF(2) have been prepared and characterized. X-ray analysis of trans-bpy-TTF(1) is also reported. Such ligands have been used to prepare two new trinuclear Ru(II) complexes, namely, [[(bpy)(2)Ru(micro-2,3-dpp)](2)Ru(bpy-TTF(1))](PF(6))(6) (9; bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; 2,3-dpp=2,3-bis(2'-pyridyl)pyrazine) and [[(bpy)(2)Ru(micro-2,3-dpp)](2)Ru(bpy-TTF(2))](PF(6))(6) (10). These compounds can be viewed as coupled antennas and charge-separation systems, in which the multichromophoric trinuclear metal subunits act as light-harvesting antennas and the tetrathiafulvalene electron donors can induce charge separation. The absorption spectra, redox behavior, and luminescence properties (both at room temperature in acetonitrile and at 77 K in a rigid matrix of butyronitrile) of the trinuclear metal complexes have been studied. For the sake of completeness, the mononuclear compounds [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpy-TTF(1))](PF(6))(2) (7) and [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpy-TTF(2))](PF(6))(2) (8) were also synthesized and studied. The properties of the tetrathiafulvalene-containing species were compared to those of the model compounds [Ru(bpy)(2)(4,4'-Mebpy)](2+) (4,4'-Mebpy=4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) and [[(bpy)(2)Ru(micro-2,3-dpp)](2)Ru(bpy)](6+). The absorption spectra and redox behavior of all the new metal compounds can be interpreted by a multicomponent approach, in which specific absorption features and redox processes can be assigned to specific subunits of the structures. The luminescence properties of the complexes in rigid matrices at 77 K are very similar to those of the corresponding model compounds without TTF moieties, whereas the new species are nonluminescent, or exhibit very weak emissions relative to those of the model compounds in fluid solution at room temperature. Time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy confirmed that the potentially luminescent MLCT states of 7-10 are significantly shorter lived than the corresponding states of the model species. Photoinduced electron-transfer processes from the TTF moieties to the (excited) MLCT chromophore(s) are held responsible for the quenching processes.     

A Tetranuclear Ruthenium(II) Complex Containing both Electron-Rich and Electron-Poor Bridging Ligands. Absorption Spectrum, Luminescence, Redox Behavior, and Intercomponent Energy Transfer

The first luminescent and redox active multinuclear Ru(II) compound containing both electron-poor (2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, 2,3-dpp) and electron-rich (3,5-bis(pyridyn-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole, Hbpt) polypyridine bridging ligands has been synthesized. The novel compound is [(bpy)(2)Ru(&mgr;-bpt)Ru{(&mgr;-2,3-dpp)Ru(bpy)(2)}(2)](7+) (1; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine). Its absorption spectrum, luminescence properties, and redox behavior have been studied and are compared with the properties of the parent complexes [Ru{(&mgr;-2,3-dpp)Ru(bpy)(2)}(3)](8+) (2) and [(bpy)(2)Ru(&mgr;-bpt)Ru(bpy)(2)](3+) (3). The absorption spectrum of 1 is dominated by ligand-centered bands in the UV region and by metal-to-ligand charge transfer bands in the visible region. Excited states and oxidation and reduction processes are localized in specific sites of the multicomponent structure. However, perturbations of each component on the redox and excited states of the others, as well as electronic interactions between the chromophores, can be observed. Intercomponent energy transfer from the upper-lying (&mgr;-bpt)(bpy)Ru-->bpy CT excited state of the Ru(bpy)(2)(&mgr;-bpt)(+) component to the lower-lying (bpy)(2)Ru-->&mgr;-2,3-dpp CT excited state of the Ru(bpy)(2)(&mgr;-2,3-dpp)(2+) subunit(s) is efficient in 1 in fluid solution at room temperature, whereas this process is not observed in a rigid matrix at 77 K. A two-step energy transfer mechanism is proposed to explain the photophysical properties of the new compound.     

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.     

Photobiological impact of [{(bpy)2Ru(dpp)}2RhCl2]Cl5 and [{(bpy)2Os(dpp)}2RhCl2]Cl5 [bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; dpp=2,3-Bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine] on vero cells

The in vitro photobiology of the supramolecular complexes [{(bpy)2Ru(dpp)}2RhCl2]Cl5 and [{(bpy)2Os(dpp)}2RhCl2]Cl5 [bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; dpp=2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine] with African green monkey kidney epithelial (Vero) cells was investigated. Previously, the complexes have been shown to photocleave DNA in the presence or absence of O2. Vero cell replication was uninhibited for cells exposed to the metal complex but protected from light. Vero cells that were exposed to metal complex, rinsed, and illuminated with >460 nm light showed a replication response that was metal complex concentration-dependent. Vero cells exposed to 3.0-120 microM [{(bpy)2Ru(dpp)}2RhCl2]Cl5 and illuminated showed inhibition of cell growth, with evidence of cell death seen for complex concentrations>or=10 microM. Cells exposed to [{(bpy)2Os(dpp)}2RhCl2]Cl5 at concentrations of 5.5-110 microM, rinsed, and illuminated showed only inhibition of cell growth. The impact of [{(bpy)2Ru(dpp)}2RhCl2]Cl5 and [{(bpy)2Os(dpp)}2RhCl2]Cl5 on cell growth following illumination shows the promise of this new structural motif as a photodynamic therapy agent.     

Characteristics and properties of metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited states in 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine and 2,2'-bypyridine ruthenium complexes. Perturbation-theory-based correlations of optical absorption and emission parameters with electrochemistry and thermal kinetics and related Ab initio calculations

The absorption, emission, and infrared spectra, metal (Ru) and ligand (PP) half-wave potentials, and ab initio calculations on the ligands (PP) are compared for several [L(n)()Ru(PP)](2+) and [[L(n)Ru]dpp[RuL'(n)]](4+) complexes, where L(n) and L'(n) = (bpy)(2) or (NH(3))(4) and PP = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp), 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline (dpq), or 2,3-bis(2pyridyl)benzoquinoxaline (dpb). The energy of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption maximum (hnu(max)) varies in nearly direct proportion to the difference between Ru(III)/Ru(II) and (PP)/(PP)(-) half-wave potentials, DeltaE(1/2), for the monometallic complexes but not for the bimetallic complexes. The MLCT spectra of [(NH(3))(4)Ru(dpp)](2+) exhibit three prominent visible-near-UV absorptions, compared to two for [(NH(3))(4)Ru(bpy)](2+), and are not easily reconciled with the MLCT spectra of [[(NH(3))(4)Ru]dpp[RuL(n)]](4+). The ab initio calculations indicate that the two lowest energy pi orbitals are not much different in energy in the PP ligands (they correlate with the degenerate pi orbitals of benzene) and that both contribute to the observed MLCT transitions. The LUMO energies calculated for the monometallic complexes correlate strongly with the observed hnu(max) (corrected for variations in metal contribution). The LUMO computed for dpp correlates with LUMO + 1 of pyrazine. This inversion of the order of the two lowest energy pi orbitals is unique to dpp in this series of ligands. Configurational mixing of the ground and MLCT excited states is treated as a small perturbation of the overall energies of the metal complexes, resulting in a contribution epsilon(s) to the ground-state energy. The fraction of charge delocalized, alpha(DA)(2), is expected to attenuate the reorganizational energy, chi(reorg), by a factor of approximately (1 - 4alpha(DA)(2) + alpha(DA)(4)), relative to the limit where there is no charge delocalization. This appears to be a substantial effect for these complexes (alpha(DA)(2) congruent with 0.1 for Ru(II)/bpy), and it leads to smaller reorganizational energies for emission than for absorption. Reorganizational energies are inferred from the bandwidths found in Gaussian analyses of the emission and/or absorption spectra. Exchange energies are estimated from the Stokes shifts combined with perturbation--theory-based relationship between the reorganizational energies for absorption and emission values. The results indicate that epsilon(s) is dominated by terms that contribute to electron delocalization between metal and PP ligand. This inference is supported by the large shifts in the N-H stretching frequency of coordinated NH(3) as the number of PP ligands is increased. The measured properties of the bpy and dpp ligands seem to be very similar, but electron delocalization appears to be slightly larger (10-40%) and the exchange energy contributions appear to be comparable (e.g., approximately 1.7 x 10(3) cm(-1) in [Ru(bpy)(2)dpp](2+) compared to approximately 1.3 x 10(3) cm(-1) in the bpy analogue).     

Electrochemical and luminescent properties of new mononuclear ruthenium(II) and binuclear iridium(III)-ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes.

Hexafluorophosphate salts of mononuclear complexes [Ru(II)Cl(L)(terpy)]+ (L = dmbpy (1); dpbpy (2), sambpy (3), and dpp (7), and binuclear complexes [Ru(II)2Cl2(dpp)(terpy)2]2+ (8) and [Ir(III)Ru(II)Cl2(dpp)(terpy)2]3+ (9) were prepared and characterized. Abbreviations of the ligands are bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dmbpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, dpbpy = 4,4'-diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine, dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, sambpy = 4,4'-bis((S)-(+)-alpha-1-phenylethylamido)-2,2'-bipyridine, and terpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine. The absorption spectra of 8 and 9 are dominated by ligand-centered bands in the UV region and by metal-to-ligand charge-transfer bands in the visible region. The details of their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties were investigated. In both binuclear complexes, it has been found that the HOMO is based on the Ru metal, and LUMO is dpp-based. [Ir(III)Ru(II)Cl2(dpp)(terpy)2]3+, indicating intense emission at room temperature, and a lifetime of 154 ns. The long lifetime of this bimetallic chromophore makes it a useful component in the design of supramolecular complexes.     

Mononuclear and dinuclear complexes of isoeilatin

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of mononuclear and dinuclear Ru(II) and Os(II) complexes based on the symmetrical bridging ligand isoeilatin (1). The crystal structure of 1.[HCl]2 consists of layers of tightly pi-stacked molecules of the biprotonated isoeilatin. The mononuclear complexes [Ru(bpy)2(ieil)]2+ (2(2+)) and [Os(bpy)2(ieil)]2+ (3(2+)) form discrete dimers in solution held together by face-selective pi-stacking interactions via the isoeilatin ligand. Coordination of a second metal fragment does not hinder the pi-stacking completely, as demonstrated by the concentration dependence of the 1H NMR spectra of the dinuclear complexes [{Ru(bpy)2}2{mu-ieil}]4+ (4(4+)), [{Os(bpy)2}2{mu-ieil}]4+ (5(4+)), and [{Ru(bpy)2}{mu-ieil}{Os(bpy)2}]4+ (6(4+)) and supported by the solid-state structure of meso-4.[Cl]4. The bridging isoeilatin ligand conserves its planarity even upon coordination of a second metal fragment, as demonstrated in the solid-state structures of meso-4.[Cl]4, meso-4.[PF6]4, and meso-5.[PF6]4. All of the dinuclear complexes exhibit a preference (3/2-3/1) for the formation of the heterochiral as opposed to the homochiral diastereoisomer. Absorption spectra of the mononuclear complexes feature a low-lying dpi(M) --> pi*iel MLCT band around 600 nm that shifts to beyond 700 nm upon coordination of a second metal fragment. Cyclic and square-wave voltammetry measurements of the complexes exhibit two isoeilatin-based reduction waves that are substantially anodically shifted compared to [M(bpy)3]2+ (M = Ru, Os). Luminescence spectra, quantum yields, and lifetime measurements at room temperature and at 77 K demonstrate that the complexes exhibit 3MLCT emission that occurs in the IR region between 950 and 1300 nm. Both the electrochemical and photophysical data are consistent with the low-lying pi orbital of the isoeilatin ligand. The dinuclear complexes exhibit two reversible, well-resolved, metal-centered oxidation waves, despite the chemical equivalence of the two metal centers, indicating a significant metal-metal interaction mediated by the bridging isoeilatin ligand.     

Molecular Modelling and Simulations of Light-Harvesting Decanuclear Ru-Based Dendrimers for Artificial Photosynthesis

The structure of a decanuclear photo- and redox-active dendrimer based on Ru(II) polypyridine subunits, suitable as a light-harvesting multicomponent species for artificial photosynthesis, has been investigated by means of computer modelling. The compound has the general formula [Ru{(μ-dpp)Ru[(μ-dpp)Ru(bpy)₂]₂}₃](PF₆)₂₀ ( Ru10 ; bpy=2,2′-bipyridine; dpp=2,3-bis(2′-pyridyl)pyrazine). The stability of possible isomers of each monomer was investigated by performing classical molecular dynamics (MD) and quantum mechanics (QM) simulations on each monomer and comparing the results. The number of stable isomers is reduced to 36 with a prevalence of MER isomerism in the central core, as previously observed by NMR experiments. The simulations on decanuclear dendrimers suggest that the stability of the dendrimer is not linked to the stability of the individual monomers composing the dendrimer but rather governed by the steric constrains originated by the multimetallic assembly. Finally, the self-aggregation of Ru10 and the distribution of the counterions around the complexes is investigated using Molecular Dynamics both in implicit and explicit acetonitrile solution. In representative examples, with nine and four dendrimers, the calculated pair distribution function for the ruthenium centers suggests a self-aggregation mechanism in which the dendrimers are approaching in small blocks and then aggregate all together. Scanning transmission electron microscopy complements the investigation, supporting the formation of different aggregates at various concentrations.     

A Ru(II) complex with 2-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline: synthesis, characterization, and acid-base and DNA-binding properties

A new Ru(II) complex of [Ru(bpy)2(Hmspip)]Cl2 {in which bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, Hmspip=2-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline} have been synthesized and characterized. The ground- and excited-state acid-base properties of [Ru(bpy)2(Hmspip)]Cl2 and its parent complex of [Ru(bpy)2(Hpip)]Cl2 {Hpip=2-phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline} have been studied by UV-visible (UV-vis) and emission spectrophotometric pH titrations. [Ru(bpy)2(Hmspip)]Cl2 acts as a calf thymus DNA intercalators with a binding constant of 4.0×10(5) M(-1) in buffered 50 mM NaCl, as evidenced by UV-vis and luminescence titrations, steady-state emission quenching by [Fe(CN)6]4-, DNA competitive binding with ethidium bromide, reverse salt titrations and viscosity measurements.     

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.     

3,6-bis(2'-pyridyl)pyridazine (L) and its deprotonated form (L - H+)- as ligands for {(acac)2Ru(n+)} or {(bpy)2Ru(m+)}: investigation of mixed valency in [{(acac)2Ru}2(mu-L - H+)]0 and [{(bpy)2Ru}2(mu-L - H+)]4+ by spectroelectrochemistry and EPR

Crystallographically characterised 3,6-bis(2'-pyridyl)pyridazine (L) forms complexes with {(acac)2Ru} or {(bpy)2Ru2+}via one pyridyl-N/pyridazyl-N chelate site in mononuclear Ru(II) complexes (acac)2Ru(L), 1, and [(bpy)2Ru(L)](ClO4)2, [3](ClO4)2. Coordination of a second metal complex fragment is accompanied by deprotonation at the pyridazyl-C5 carbon {L --> (L - H+)-} to yield cyclometallated, asymmetrically bridged dinuclear complexes [(acac)2Ru(III)(mu-L - H+)Ru(III)(acac)2](ClO4), [2](ClO4), and [(bpy)2Ru(II)(mu-L - H+)Ru(II)(bpy)2](ClO4)3, [4](ClO4)3. The different electronic characteristics of the co-ligands, sigma donating acac- and pi accepting bpy, cause a wide variation in metal redox potentials which facilitates the isolation of the diruthenium(III) form in [2](ClO4) with antiferromagnetically coupled Ru(III) centres (J = -11.5 cm(-1)) and of a luminescent diruthenium(II) species in [4](ClO4)3. The electrogenerated mixed-valent Ru(II)Ru(III) states 2 and [4]4+ with comproportionation constants Kc > 10(8) are assumed to be localised with the Ru(III) ion bonded via the negatively charged pyridyl-N/pyridazyl-C5 chelate site of the bridging (L - H+)- ligand. In spectroelectrochemical experiments they show similar intervalence charge transfer bands of moderate intensity around 1300 nm and comparable g anisotropies (g1-g3 approximatly 0.5) in the EPR spectra. However, the individual g tensor components are distinctly higher for the pi acceptor ligated system [4]4+, signifying stabilised metal d orbitals.     

Redox processes of ruthenium (II) polypyridine complexes induced by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry in the negative ionization mode enables the sputtering into the gas phase of the ruthenium complexes [Ru(2,2′-bipyridine[bpy])₂(2,5-bis) (pyrydil)pyrazine[dpp])](PF₆)₂; [Ru(bpy)₂,(2,3dpp)](PF₆)₂;[Ru(bpy)₂,(2,3-dpp-Me)]( PF₆)₃; and [Ru(bpy)₂(?-2,3-dpp)]₂ RuCl₂(PF₆)₄ as intact radical anions. These data, combined with those avaiiable from the positive FAB spectra allow a full characterization of the analytes.     

Visible light induced photocleavage of DNA by a mixed-metal supramolecular complex: [[(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)](2)RhCl2]5+

The mixed-metal supramolecular complex, [[(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)](2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine) coupling two ruthenium light absorbers (LAs) to a central rhodium, has been shown to photocleave DNA. This system possesses a lowest lying metal to metal charge transfer (MMCT) excited state in contrast to the metal to ligand charge transfer states (MLCT) of the bpm and Ir analogues. The systems with an MLCT excited state do not photocleavage DNA. [[(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)](2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) is the first supramolecular system shown to cleave DNA. It functions through an excited state previously unexplored for this reactivity, a Ru --> Rh MMCT excited state. This system functions when irradiated with low energy visible light with or without molecular oxygen.     

Ancillary ligand determination of the spin location in both oxidised and reduced forms of diruthenium complexes bridged by bis-bidentate 1,4-bis(2-phenolato)-1,4-diazabutadiene

The rare bridging mode of 1,4-bis(2-phenolato)-1,4-diazabutadiene = glyoxalbis(2-hydroxyanil) (L(2-)) is adopted in {(mu-L(2-))[Ru11(bpy)22}2+ (1(2+)), obtained as bis-perchlorate. Four well accessible redox forms of 1(n) (n = 4+, 3+, 2+, +) have been characterised by UV-VIS-NIR spectroelectrochemistry. The (3+) and (+) intermediates have also been investigated by EPR, both showing radical-type signals close to g = 2. This observation stands in stark contrast to EPR results previously obtained for the related {(mu-L)[Ru(acac)2]2(n), n = + and -, both of which exhibit metal-centred spin. In combination with the UV-VIS-NIR spectra these results suggest the preferential involvement of the multistep ligand redox system L(n-) in the electron transfer processes. The relative stabilisation of Ru11 by pi-accepting bpy is made responsible for the oxidation of the ligand L(2-) instead of the metal.     

Photophysical properties of ruthenium bipyridine (4-carboxylic acid-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine) complexes and their acid-base chemistry

Photophysical properties such as absorption and emission spectra, lifetimes, and redox potentials of eight ruthenium complexes, Ru(LL)2(MebpyCOOH)2+, where LL represents bpy, phen, Me2bpy, Me4bpy, (MeO)2bpy, (EtO)2bpy, Cl2bpy, and NO2phen, have been measured. The acid dissociation constants of ground and excited states have been determined. The ground-state pKa values were obtained from the pH dependence of the complex absorbance changes. The excited-state pKa* values were extracted from the emission titration curve and corrected for the excited-state lifetime of both protonated and deprotonated species. The largest DeltapKa, pKa*-pKa, found for Ru(Me2bpy)2(MebpyCOOH)2+ and Ru(Me4bpy)2(MebpyCOOH)2+ of 1.7 indicate that MebpyCOOH gains most of the MLCT excited-state electron. The big negative DeltapKa found for Ru(Cl2bpy)2(MebpyCOOH)2+, -4.2, clearly indicates the metal-to-ligand charge transfer to the Cl2bpy ligands.     

The characterization of the high-frequency vibronic contributions to the 77 K emission spectra of ruthenium-am(m)ine-bipyridyl complexes, their attenuation with decreasing energy gaps, and the implications of strong electronic coupling for inverted-region electron transfer

The 77 K emission spectra of a series of [Ru(Am)6-2n(bpy)n]2+ complexes (n = 1-3) have been determined in order to evaluate the effects of appreciable excited state (e)/ground state (g) configurational mixing on the properties of simple electron-transfer systems. The principal focus is on the vibronic contributions, and the correlated distortions of the bipyridine ligand in the emitting MLCT excited state. To address the issues that are involved, the emission band shape at 77 K is interpreted as the sum of a fundamental component, corresponding to the {e,0'} --> {g,0} transition, and progressions in the ground-state vibrational modes that correlate with the excited-state distortion. Literature values of the vibrational parameters determined from the resonance-Raman (rR) for [Ru(NH3)4bpy]2+ and [Ru(bpy)3]2+ are used to model the emission spectra and to evaluate the spectral analysis. The Gaussian fundamental component with an energy Ef and bandwidth Deltanu1/2 is deconvoluted from the observed emission spectrum. The first-, second-, and third-order terms in the progressions of the vibrational modes that contribute to the band shape are evaluated as the sums of Gaussian-shaped contributions of width Deltanu1/2. The fundamental and the rR parameters give an excellent fit of the observed emission spectrum of [Ru(NH3)4bpy]2+, but not as good for the [Ru(bpy)3]2+ emission spectrum probably because the Franck-Condon excited state probed by the rR is different in symmetry from the emitting MLCT excited state. Variations in vibronic contributions for the series of complexes are evaluated in terms of reorganizational energy profiles (emreps, Lambdax) derived from the observed spectra, and modeled using the rR parameters. This modeling demonstrates that most of the intensity of the vibronic envelopes obtained from the frozen solution emission spectra arises from the overlapping of first-order vibronic contributions of significant bandwidth with additional convoluted contributions of higher order vibronic terms. The emrep amplitudes of these complexes have their maxima at about 1500 cm(-1) in frozen solution, and Lambdax(max) decreases systematically by approximately 2-fold as Ef decreases from 17,220 for [Ru(bpy)3]2+ to 12,040 cm(-1) for [Ru(NH3)4bpy]2+ through the series of complexes. Corrections for higher order contributions and bandwidth differences based on the modeling with rR parameters indicate that the variations in Lambdax(max) imply somewhat larger decreases in first-order bpy vibrational reorganizational energies. The large attenuation of vibrational reorganizational energies of the [Ru(Am)6-2n(bpy)n]2+ complexes contrasts with the apparent similarity of reorganizational energy amplitudes for the absorption and emission of [Ru(NH3)4bpy]2+. These observations are consistent with increasing and very substantial excited-state/ground-state configurational mixing and decreasing excited-state distortion as Ef decreases, but more severe attenuation for singlet/singlet than triplet/singlet mixing (alphage > alphaeg for the configurational mixing coefficients at the ground-state and excited-state potential energy minima, respectively); it is inferred that 0.18 > or = alphage2 > or = 0.09 for [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and 0.37 > or = alphage2 > or = 0.18 for [Ru(NH3)4bpy]2+ in DMSO/water glasses, where the ranges are based on models that there is or is not a spin restriction on configurational mixing (alphage > alphaeg and alphage = alphaeg), respectively, for these complexes.     

Probing mixed valence in a new tppz-bridged diruthenium(III,II) complex {(mu-tppz)[Ru(bik)Cl]2}3+ (tppz=2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, bik=2,2'-bis(1-methylimidazolyl)ketone): EPR silence, intervalence absorption, and nu(CO) line broadening

The complex dication of the diruthenium(II) compound {(mu-tppz)[Ru(bik)Cl]2}(ClO4)2 can be oxidized and reduced in two one-electron steps each. In CH3CN/0.1 M Bu4NPF6, the odd-electron intermediates{(mu-tppz)[Ru(bik)Cl]2}n+, n=1 and 3, have comproportionation constants of 7x10(8) and 1x10(5), respectively. Both exhibit near-infrared absorptions, in the case of n=3 the 1640 nm band (epsilon=1200 M-1 cm-1, Deltanu1/2=1560 cm-1) is attributed to an intervalence charge-transfer transition. While the mixed-valent intermediate (n=3) is EPR silent even at 4 K, the n=1 form shows g(parallel) 2.005 and g( perpendicular) 1.994 at that temperature, signifying a diruthenium(II) complex of the tppz*- radical anion. The variation of energy and intensity of nuCO and of the ring vibration band around 1590 cm-1 has been monitored not only for {(mu-tppz)[Ru(bik)Cl]2}n+, n=0-4, but also for the mononuclear {(tppz)Ru(bik)Cl}n+, n=0-2. In the dinuclear complex the carbonyl stretching bands of the spectator ligand bik are shifted by about 15 cm-1 on each one-electron-transfer step, increasing with the positive charge. The mixed-valent {(mu-tppz)[Ru(bik)Cl]2}3+ shows a perceptibly broader nuCO band, suggesting incomplete valence averaging (partial localization).     

Probing the electronic structures of coordination compounds by transient spectral hole-burning. Applications to specifically deuterated [Ru(bpy)3]2+ complexes

Transient spectral hole-burning (THB), a powerful technique for probing the electronic structures of coordination compounds, is applied to the lowest excited 3MLCT states of specifically deuterated [Ru(bpy)3]2+ complexes doped into crystals of racemic [Zn(bpy)3](ClO4)2. Results are consistent with and complementary to conclusions reached from excitation-line-narrowing experiments. Two sets of 3MLCT transitions are observed in conventional spectroscopy of [Ru(bpy-d(n))(3-x)(bpy-d(m))x]2+ (x = 1, 2; n = 0, 2; m = 2, 8; n not = m) complexes doped into [Zn(bpy)3](ClO4)2. The two sets coincide with the 3MLCT transitions observed for the homoleptic [Ru(bpy-d(m))3]2+ and [Ru(bpy-d(n))3]2+ complexes and can thus be assigned to localized 3MLCT transitions to the bpy-d(m) and bpy-d(n) ligands. The THB experiments presented in this paper exclude a two-site hypothesis. When spectral holes are burnt at 1.8 K into 3MLCT transitions associated with the bpy and bpy-d2 ligands in [Ru(bpy)(bpy-d8)2]2+, [Ru(bpy)2(bpy-d8)]2+, and [Ru(bpy-d2)2(bpy-d8)]2+, side holes appear in the 3MLCT transitions associated with the bpy-d8 ligands approximately 40 and approximately 30 cm(-1) higher in energy. Since energy transfer to sites 40 or 30 cm(-1) higher in energy cannot occur at 1.8 K, the experiments unequivocally establish that the two sets of 3MLCT transitions observed for [Ru(bpy-d(n))(3-x)(bpy-d(m))x]2+ (x = 1, 2) complexes in [Zn(bpy)3](ClO4)2 occur on one molecular cation.     

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).     

Photoinduced electron-transfer processes based on novel bipyridine-Ru(II) complex: properties of cis-[Ru(2,2'-bipyridine)2(5,6-bis(3-amidopyridine)-7-oxanorbornene)](PF6)2 and cis-[Ru(2,2'-bipyridine)2(3-aminopyridine)2](PF6)2 complexes

This paper presents the synthesis, MO calculations, and photochemical and photophysical properties of cis-[Ru(bpy)2(3Amdpy2oxaNBE)](PF6)2 (2), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine and 3Amdpy2oxaNBE is the novel 5,6-bis(3-amidopyridine)-7-oxanorbornene chelate-ligand (1). Complex 2 is considered in relation to the cis-[Ru(bpy)2(3Amnpy)2](PF6)2 (3) analogous complex, where 3Amnpy is 3-aminopyridine. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibit absorptions near 350 nm and in the 420-500 nm region attributable to a contribution from MLCT transitions (dpi-->bpy and dpi-->L; L=3Amdpy2oxaNBE or 3Amnpy). Whereas complex 3 is photochemically reactive, complex 2 shows luminescence either at 77 K or at room temperature in fluid solution. The emission of 2 assignable as an MLCT (Ru-->bpy) emission is characterized by a long lifetime at room temperature (650 ns in CH3CN and 509 ns in H2O). It is independent of lambdairr, but it is temperature dependent; i.e., it increases as the temperature is lowered. Considering the chelate ring of 1 contributes to the stability of the complex 2 under continuous light irradiation, the difference in the primary photoprocesses of 3 (loss of 3Amnpy) and 2 (luminescence) may be caused by a lowering of the lowest excited state from 3 to 2. The surface crossing to the lowest MC state value of 987 cm-1 (similar to that of [Ru(bpy)3]2+) will be prevented in the case of complex 2, and as a result, efficient 3Amdpy moiety loss cannot occur. The electronic depopulation of the {Ru(bpy)2} unit and population of a bpy* orbital upon excitation are evident by comparing the photophysical properties with those of a [Ru(bpy)3]2+ related complex. Moreover, a reduction of a bpy ligand in the MLCT excited state is indicated by time-resolved spectra that show features typical of bpy*-. The photocatalytic property of 2 is spectroscopically demonstrated by oxidative quenching using either methylviologen2+ or [RuCl(NH3)5]+2 electron-acceptor ions.