Designed synthesis of a multimetallic system having Ru(4)Cu(2) core using trimetallic coordination of 2,2'-biimidazolate ion

Synthesis of a novel hexametallic compound, [[(bpy)(2)Ru(biim)](4)Cu(2)](ClO(4))(4), (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and biim = 2,2'-biimidazolate dianion) from a monometallic complex, [(bpy)(2)Ru(biim)] and hydrated Cu(ClO(4))(2) is described. The X-ray structure consists of four octahedral ruthenium(II) centers arranged around a bimetallic Cu(2)-core. The four octahedral [(bpy)(2)Ru(biim)] units arranged around the Cu(2)-moiety that resulted in a propeller shape arrangement. The results of cryomagnetic measurements on the di-copper complex indicate that the two Cu(II) ions are coupled antiferromagnetically through the two bridging biim ligands. The EPR spectrum of the complex showed a typical axial spectrum. Optical spectra and redox properties of are reported. An intense absorption at 525 nm is assigned as Ru(dpi) --> pi(*)(bpy) transition.     

Bis(amido)ruthenium(IV) Complexes with 2,3-Diamino-2,3-dimethylbutane. Crystal Structure and Reversible Ru(IV)-Amide/Ru(III)-Amine and Ru(IV)-Amide/Ru(II)- Amine Redox Couples in Aqueous Solution

Two bis(amido)ruthenium(IV) complexes, [Ru(IV)(bpy)(L-H)(2)](2+) and [Ru(IV)(L)(L-H)(2)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, L = 2,3-diamino-2,3-dimethylbutane, L-H = (H(2)NCMe(2)CMe(2)NH)(-)), were prepared by chemical oxidation of [Ru(II)(bpy)(L)(2)](2+) and the reaction of [(n-Bu)(4)N][Ru(VI)NCl(4)] with L, respectively. The structures of [Ru(bpy)(L-H)(2)][ZnBr(4)].CH(3)CN and [Ru(L)(L-H)(2)]Cl(2).2H(2)O were determined by X-ray crystal analysis. [Ru(bpy)(L-H)(2)][ZnBr(4)].CH(3)CN crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 12.597(2) ?, b = 15.909(2) ?, c = 16.785(2) ?, beta = 91.74(1) degrees, and Z = 4. [Ru(L)(L-H)(2)]Cl(2).2H(2)O crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4(1)/a with a = 31.892(6) ?, c = 10.819(3) ?, and Z = 16. In both complexes, the two Ru-N(amide) bonds are cis to each other with bond distances ranging from 1.835(7) to 1.856(7) ?. The N(amide)-Ru-N(amide) angles are about 110 degrees. The two Ru(IV) complexes are diamagnetic, and the chemical shifts of the amide protons occur at around 13 ppm. Both complexes display reversible metal-amide/metal-amine redox couples in aqueous solution with a pyrolytic graphite electrode. Depending on the pH of the media, reversible/quasireversible 1e(-)-2H(+) Ru(IV)-amide/Ru(III)-amine and 2e(-)-2H(+) Ru(IV)-amide/Ru(II)-amine redox couples have been observed. At pH = 1.0, the E degrees is 0.46 V for [Ru(IV)(bpy)(L-H)(2)](2+)/[Ru(III)(bpy)(L)(2)](3+) and 0.29 V vs SCE for [Ru(IV)(L)(L-H)(2)](2+)/[Ru(III)(L)(3)](3+). The difference in the E degrees values for the two Ru(IV)-amide complexes has been attributed to the fact that the chelating saturated diamine ligand is a better sigma-donor than 2,2'-bipyridine.     

Photoinduced energy- and electron-transfer processes in dinuclear Ru(II)-Os(II), Ru(II)-Os(III), and Ru(III)-Os(II) trisbipyridine complexes containing a shape-persistent macrocyclic spacer.

The PF6- salt of the dinuclear [(bpy)2Ru(1)Os(bpy)2]4+ complex, where 1 is a phenylacetylene macrocycle which incorporates two 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) chelating units in opposite sites of its shape-persistent structure, was prepared. In acetonitrile solution, the Ru- and Os-based units display their characteristic absorption spectra and electrochemical properties as in the parent homodinuclear compounds. The luminescence spectrum, however, shows that the emission band of the Ru(II) unit is almost completely quenched with concomitant sensitization of the emission of the Os(II) unit. Electronic energy transfer from the Ru(II) to the Os(II) unit takes place by two distinct processes (k(en) = 2.0x10(8) and 2.2x10(7) s(-1) at 298 K). Oxidation of the Os(II) unit of [(bpy)2Ru(1)Os(bpy)2]4+ by Ce(IV) or nitric acid leads quantitatively to the [(bpy)2Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+ complex which exhibits a bpy-to-Os(III) charge-transfer band at 720 nm (epsilon(max) = 250 M(-1) cm(-1)). Light excitation of the Ru(II) unit of [(bpy)2Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+ is followed by electron transfer from the Ru(II) to the Os(III) unit (k(el,f) = 1.6x10(8) and 2.7x10(7) s(-1)), resulting in the transient formation of the [(bpy)2Ru(III)(1)Os(II)(bpy)2]5+ complex. The latter species relaxes to the [(bpy)2Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+ one by back electron transfer (k(el,b) = 9.1x10(7) and 1.2x10(7) s(-1)). The biexponential decays of the [(bpy)2*Ru(II)(1)Os(II)(bpy)2]4+, [(bpy)2*Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+, and [(bpy)2Ru(III)(1)Os(II)(bpy)2]5+ species are related to the presence of two conformers, as expected because of the steric hindrance between hydrogen atoms of the pyridine and phenyl rings. Comparison of the results obtained with those previously reported for other Ru-Os polypyridine complexes shows that the macrocyclic ligand 1 is a relatively poor conducting bridge.     

Bis(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes with an aliphatic sulfinato donor: synthesis, characterization, and properties

Treatment of a thiolato-bridged Ru(II)Ag(I)Ru(II) trinuclear complex, [Ag{Ru(aet)(bpy)(2)}(2)](3+) (aet = 2-aminoethanthiolate; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), with NaI in aqueous ethanol under an aerobic condition afforded a mononuclear ruthenium(II) complex having an S-bonded sulfinato group, [1](+) ([Ru(aesi-N, S)(bpy)(2)](+) (aesi = 2-aminoethanesulfinate)). Similar treatment of optically active isomers of an analogous Ru(II)Ag(I)Ru(II) trinuclear complex, Δ(D)Δ(D)- and Λ(D)Λ(D)-[Ag{Ru(d-Hpen-O,S)(bpy)(2)}(2)](3+) (d-pen = d-penicillaminate), with NaI also produced mononuclear ruthenium(II) isomers with an S-bonded sulfinato group, Δ(D)- and Λ(D)-[2](+) ([Ru(d-Hpsi-O,S)(bpy)(2)](+) (d-psi = d-penicillaminesulfinate)), respectively, retaining the bidentate-O,S coordination mode of a d-Hpen ligand and the absolute configuration (Δ or Λ) about a Ru(II) center. On refluxing in water, the Δ(D) isomer of [2](+) underwent a linkage isomerization to form Δ(D)-[3] (+) ([Ru(d-Hpsi-N,S)(bpy)(2)](+)), in which a d-Hpsi ligand coordinates to a Ru(II) center in a bidentate-N,S mode. Complexes [1](+), Δ(D)- and Λ(D)-[2](+), and Δ(D)-[3](+) were fully characterized by electronic absorption, CD, NMR, and IR spectroscopies, together with single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical properties of these complexes, which are highly dependent on the coordination mode of sulfinate ligands, are also described.     

Photocatalytic generation of a non-heme oxoiron(IV) complex with water as an oxygen source

The photocatalytic formation of a non-heme oxoiron(IV) complex, [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) [N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine], efficiently proceeds via electron transfer from the excited state of a ruthenium complex, [Ru(II)(bpy)(3)](2+)* (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) to [Co(III)(NH(3))(5)Cl](2+) and stepwise electron-transfer oxidation of [(N4Py)Fe(II)](2+) with 2 equiv of [Ru(III)(bpy)(3)](3+) and H(2)O as an oxygen source. The oxoiron(IV) complex was independently generated by both chemical oxidation of [(N4Py)Fe(II)](2+) with [Ru(III)(bpy)(3)](3+) and electrochemical oxidation of [(N4Py)Fe(II)](2+).     

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.     

Dinuclear asymmetric ruthenium complexes with 5-cyano-1,10-phenanthroline as a bridging ligand

New dinuclear asymmetric ruthenium complexes of the type [(bpy)(2)Ru(5-CNphen)Ru(NH(3))(5)](4+/5+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; 5-CNphen = 5-cyano-1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photophysical techniques. The structure of the cation [(bpy)(2)Ru(5-CNphen)Ru(NH(3))(5)](4+) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The mononuclear precursor [Ru(bpy)(2)(5-CNphen)](2+) has also been prepared and studied; while its properties as a photosensitizer are similar to those of [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+), its luminescence at room temperature is quenched by a factor of 5 in the mixed-valent species [(bpy)(2)Ru(II)(5-CNphen)Ru(III)(NH(3))(5)](5+), pointing to the occurrence of intramolecular electron-transfer processes that follow light excitation. From spectral data for the metal-to-metal charge-transfer transition Ru(II) --> Ru(III) in this latter complex, a slight electronic interaction (H(AB) = 190 cm(-1)) is disclosed between both metallic centers through the bridging 5-CNphen.     

The inducing NO-vasodilation by chemical reduction of coordinated nitrite ion in cis-[Ru(NO(2))L(bpy)(2)](+) complex

The synthesis of [Ru(NO(2))L(bpy)(2)](+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and L = pyridine (py) and pyrazine (pz)) can be accomplished by addition of [Ru(NO)L(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(3) to aqueous solutions of physiological pH. The electrochemical processes of [Ru(NO(2))L(bpy)(2)](+) in aqueous solution were studied by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The anodic scan shows a peak around 1.00 V vs. Ag/AgCl attributed to the oxidation process centered on the metal ion. However, in the cathodic scan a second peak around -0.60 V vs. Ag/AgCl was observed and attributed to the reduction process centered on the nitrite ligand. The controlled reduction potential electrolysis at -0.80 V vs. Ag/AgCl shows NO release characteristics as judged by NO measurement with a NO-sensor. This assumption was confirmed by ESI/MS(+) and spectroelectrochemical experiment where cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)L(H(2)O)](2+) was obtained as a product of the reduction of cis-[Ru(II)(NO(2))L(bpy)(2)](+). The vasorelaxation observed in denuded aortic rings pre-contracted with 0.1 mumol L(-1) phenylephrine responded with relaxation in the presence of cis-[Ru(II)(NO(2))L(bpy)(2)](+). The potential of rat aorta cells to metabolize cis-[Ru(II)(NO(2))L(bpy)(2)](+) was also followed by confocal analysis. The obtained results suggest that NO release happens by reduction of cis-[Ru(II)(NO(2))L(bpy)(2)](+) inside the cell. The maximum vasorelaxation was achieved with 1 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) of cis-[Ru(II)(NO(2))L(bpy)(2)](+) complex.     

Ruthenium(II) 2,2'-Bipyridyl tetrakis acetonitrile undergoes selective axial photocleavage

The complex [Ru(bpy)(AN)4]2+ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl, AN = acetonitrile) has a Ru(II) --> pi(*)(bpy) MLCT band at 388 nm. Upon irradiation on this absorption band, the compound undergoes total regioselective photocleavage yielding complexes fac-[Ru(bpy)(AN)(3)(H(2)O)](2+) and trans-[Ru(bpy)(AN)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) in two consecutive steps with quantum yields of 0.43 and 0.09, respectively. This behavior is a consequence of the stronger sigma-donor ability of the bpy nitrogens that determines the orbital ordering and therefore the nature of the lowest lying 3d-d state responsible for the photochemistry. The two-step photoreaction, which can be followed by UV-vis and NMR spectra, provides a quantitative path to the preparation of trans-polypyridine species with potentially interesting photochemical properties.     

Photoinduced energy transfer in a conformationally flexible Re(I)/Ru(II) dyad probed by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy: effects of conformation and spatial localization of excited states

The dyad RuLRe contains (Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl) and (Ru(bpy)(bpyam)2)2+ termini (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; bpyam = 4,4'-diethylamido-2,2'-bipyridine) separated by a flexible ethylene spacer. Luminescence studies reveal the expected Re --> Ru photoinduced energy transfer, with partial quenching of Re(I)-based triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) luminescence and consequent sensitization of the Ru(II)-based 3MLCT luminescence, which has a component with a grow-in lifetime of 0.76 (+/-0.2) ns. The presence of IR-active spectroscopic handles on both termini [CO ligands directly attached to Re(I) and amide carbonyl substituents on the bpy ligands coordinated to Ru(II)] allowed the excited-state dynamics to be studied by time-resolved IR (TRIR) spectroscopy in much more detail than allowed by luminescence methods. A combination of picosecond- and nanosecond-time-scale TRIR studies revealed the presence of at least three distinct Re --> Ru energy-transfer processes, with lifetimes of ca. 20 ps and 1 and 13 ns. This complex behavior occurs because of a combination of two different Ru-based 3MLCT states (Ru --> L and Ru --> bpyam), which are sensitized by energy transfer from the Re(I) donor at different rates; and the presence of at least two conformers of the flexible molecule RuLRe, which have different Re...Ru separations.     

Synthesis,characterization, and photophysical studies of new bichromophoric ruthenium(II) complexes

The photophysical properties of a series of prepared ruthenium tris(bipyridine) complexes, covalently linked to aromatic species, of type [Ru(bpy)(2)-(4-methyl-4'-(arylaminocarbonyl)-2,2'-bipyridine)](2+) ([Ru(bpy)(2)(mbpy-L)](2+), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; mbpy = 4-methyl-4'-carbonyl-2,2'-bipyridine; and L = 2-aminonaphthyl (naph), 9-aminoanthryl (anth), 1-aminopyrenyl (pyr), or 9-aminoacridinyl (acrd)) were studied by electronic absorption spectroscopy and steady state and time resolved luminescence spectroscopies. The absorption spectra of the MLCT electronic transition of the complexes are similar, which is in agreement with a practically constant redox potential of Ru(III/II) close to 1.28 V versus Ag/AgCl. However, the luminescence spectra of the new complexes are red shifted compared to Ru(bpy)(3)(2+), and this effect is ascribed to solvation and inductive effects of the amide group which enhance the symmetry breakdown among the three bipyridyl ligands. The energy stabilization of the (3)MLCT state is in the range 2.1-8.4 kJ/mol. The triplet-triplet energy transfer between the Ru complex and the aromatic species linked by an amide spacer is a slow process with rate constants of 2.6 x 10(4), 3.6 x 10(4), and 4.9 x 10(4) s(-)(1) for anthracene, acridine, and pyrene as acceptors in methanol, respectively. The energy transfer rate constant increases with decreasing polarity of the solvent. In dichloromethane, the rate constants for anthracene, acridine, and pyrene acceptors are 2.6 x 10(5), 1.5 x 10(5), and 2.9 x 10(5) s(-)(1), respectively. The low efficiency of energy transfer is due to the small difference in triplet energy between donor and acceptor species, weak electronic coupling, and unfavorable Franck-Condon factors, despite the short separation distance between donor and acceptor species in an amide bridge.     

Application of circular dichroism spectroscopy in the study of mixed-valence asymmetric ruthenium polypyridyl complexes

Circular dichroism (CD) spectroelectrochemistry is used to determine the extent of singly occupied molecular orbital delocalization in mixed-valence multinuclear complexes, specifically the mixed-valence Ru(II)Ru(III) states of the four diastereoisomers of [(Ru(bpy)(2))(2)(bpt)](3+) [1; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl and bpt = 3,5-bis(pyrid-2'-yl)-1,2,4-triazolato anion]. The complex was found to be stable to thermal racemization in the three oxidation states, but photoracemization in the Ru(II)Ru(II) state was observed.     

The pH-induced emission switching and interesting DNA-binding properties of a novel dinuclear ruthenium(II) complex

A novel dinuclear Ru(II) complex, [(bpy)(2)Ru(ebipcH(2))Ru(bpy)(2)](ClO(4))(4), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and ebipcH(2) = N-ethyl-4,7-bis([1,10]-phenanthroline[5,6-f]imidazol-2-yl)carbazole, has been newly synthesized. The pH effects on UV-vis absorption and emission spectra of the complex are studied, and ground- and excited-state ionization constants of the complex are derived. The binding of the complex to calf thymus (ct) DNA is investigated with absorption and luminescence titrations, steady-state emission quenching, and viscosity measurements. The complex acts as a pH-induced "on-off" emission switch between pH 8.0 and pH 10.0 with a maximum on-off ratio of approximately 100 which is favorably compared with the other imidazole-containing Ru(II) complex congeners, and a strong ct-DNA intercalator with an intrinsic binding constant of 1.31(+/-0.08) x 10(6) M(-)(1) in buffered 50 mM NaCl.     

Photoinitiated DNA Binding by cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NH3)2]2+

The ligand-loss photochemistry of cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(NH(3))(2)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) was investigated in water and in the presence of added ligands such as bipyridine and chloride. Irradiation of the complex results in the covalent binding to 9-methyl- and 9-ethylguanine, as well as to single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. This photoinduced DNA binding is not observed for the control complex [Ru(bpy)(2)(en)](2+) (en = ethylenediamine) under similar irradiation conditions. The results presented here show that octahedral Ru(II) complexes with photolabile ligands may prove useful as photoactivated cisplatin analogs.     

Multisite effects on intervalence charge transfer in a clusterlike trinuclear assembly containing ruthenium and osmium

The intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) properties of the mixed-valence forms of the diastereoisomers of the dinuclear [[Ru(bpy)2](mu-HAT)[M(bpy)2]]5+ (M = Ru or Os) complexes and the trinuclear heterochiral [[Ru(bpy)2]2[Os(bpy)2](mu-HAT)]n+ (n = 7, 8; HAT = 1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) species display a marked dependence on the nuclearity and extent of oxidation of the assemblies, while small differences are also observed for the diastereoisomers of the same complex in the dinuclear cases. The mixed-valence heterochiral [[Ru(bpy)2]2[Os(bpy)2](mu-HAT)]n+ (n = 7, 8) forms exhibit IVCT properties that are intermediate between those of the diastereoisomeric forms of the localized hetero-dinuclear complex [[Ru(bpy)2](mu-HAT)[Os(bpy)2]]5+ and the borderline localized-to-delocalized homo-trinuclear complex [[Ru(bpy)2]3(mu-HAT)]n+ (n = 7, 8). The near-infrared (NIR) spectrum of the +7 mixed-valence species exhibits both interconfigurational (IC) and IVCT transitions which are quantitatively similar to those in [[Ru(bpy)2](mu-HAT)[Os(bpy)2]]5+ and are indicative of the localized mixed-valence formulation [[Ru(II)(bpy)2]2[Os(III)(bpy)2](mu-HAT)]7+. The +8 state exhibits a new band attributable to an IVCT transition in the near-infrared region.     

Entrapment of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in the anionic metal-organic framework: novel photoluminescence behavior exhibiting dual emission at room temperature

[Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) ions were entrapped into the cavities of two-dimensional anionic sheet-like coordination polymeric networks of [M(dca)(3)](-) (dca = dicyanamide; M = Mn(II) and Fe(II)). The prepared compounds, {[Ru(bpy)(3)][Mn(dca)(3)](2)}(n) (1) and {[Ru(bpy)(3)][Fe(dca)(3)](2)}(n) (2), were structurally characterized by X-ray single crystal analysis. The spectroscopic properties of the [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) ion dramatically changed on its entrapment in [M(dca)(3)](-). The [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) moiety present in 1 and 2 exhibits novel dual photo-emission at room temperature.     

Mechanistic implications of proton transfer coupled to electron transfer.

The kinetics of electron transfer for the reactions cis-[Ru(IV)(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+ + H+ + [Os(II)(bpy)3]2+ <==> cis-[Ru(III)(bpy)2(py)(OH)]2+ + [Os(III)(bpy)3]3+ and cis-[Ru(III)(bpy)2(py)(OH)]2+ + H+ + [Os(II)(bpy)3]2+ <==> cis-[Ru(II)(bpy)2(py)(H2O)]2+ + [Os(III)(bpy)3]3+ have been studied in both directions by varying the pH from 1 to 8. The kinetics are complex but can be fit to a double "square scheme" involving stepwise electron and proton transfer by including the disproportionation equilibrium, 2cis-[Ru(III)(bpy)2(py)(OH)]2+ <==> (3 x 10(3) M(-1) x s(-1) forward, 2.1 x 10(5) M(-1) x s(-1) reverse) cis-[Ru(IV)(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+ + cis-[Ru(II)(bpy)2(py)(H2O)]2+. Electron transfer is outer-sphere and uncoupled from proton transfer. The kinetic study has revealed (1) pH-dependent reactions where the pH dependence arises from the distribution between acid and base forms and not from variations in the driving force; (2) competing pathways involving initial electron transfer or initial proton transfer whose relative importance depends on pH; (3) a significant inhibition to outer-sphere electron transfer for the Ru(IV)=O2+/Ru(III)-OH2+ couple because of the large difference in pK(a) values between Ru(IV)=OH3+ (pK(a) < 0) and Ru(III)-OH2+ (pK(a) > 14); and (4) regions where proton loss from cis-[Ru(II)(bpy)2(py)(H2O)]2+ or cis-[Ru(III)(bpy)2(py)(OH)]2+ is rate limiting. The difference in pK(a) values favors more complex pathways such as proton-coupled electron transfer.     

9-Oxidophenalenone: a noninnocent β-diketonate ligand?

The redox systems [Ru(L)(bpy)(2)](k), [Ru(L)(2)(bpy)](m), and [Ru(L)(3)](n) containing the potentially redox-active ligand 9-oxidophenalenone = L(-) were investigated by spectroelectrochemistry (UV-vis-near-IR and electron paramagnetic resonance) in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Compounds [Ru(L(-))(bpy)(2)]ClO(4) ([1]ClO(4)) and [Ru(L(-))(2)(bpy)]ClO(4) ([2]ClO(4)) were structurally characterized. In addition to establishing electron-transfer processes involving the Ru(II)/Ru(III)/Ru(IV) and bpy(0)/bpy(?-) couples, evidence for the noninnocent behavior of L(-) was obtained from [Ru(IV)(L(?))(L(-))(bpy)](3+), which exhibits strong near-IR absorption due to ligand-to-ligand charge transfer. In contrast, the lability of the electrogenerated anion [Ru(L)(2)(bpy)](-) is attributed to a resonance situation [Ru(II)(L(?2-))(L(-))(bpy)](-)/[Ru(II)(L(-))(2) (bpy(?-))](-), as suggested by DFT calculations.     

Changing the role of 2,2'-bipyridine from secondary ligand to protagonist in [Ru(bpy)2(N-N)]2+ complexes: low-energy, red emission from a ruthenium(II)-to-2,2'-bipyridine 3MLCT state

Two new bidentate ligands (1 and 2) with bicyclic guanidine moieties were synthesized and attached to a Ru(II)(bpy)(2) core (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) to afford complexes 3 and 4, which were characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. Complex 4 was further characterized by X-ray crystallography. In cyclic voltammetric studies, both complexes show a Ru(II/III) couple, which is 500 mV less positive than the Ru(II/III) couple of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+). The (1)MLCT and (3)MLCT states of 3 (560 nm/745 nm) and 4 (550 nm/740 nm) are significantly red-shifted with respect to Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) (440 nm/620 nm). Compounds 3 and 4 exhibit emission from a Ru(II)-to-bpy (3)MLCT state, which is rarely the emitting state at λ > 700 nm in [Ru(bpy)(2)(N-N)](2+) complexes.     

Filling gaps in the series of noninnocent hetero-1,3-diene chelate ligands: ruthenium complexes of redox-active α-azocarbonyl and α-azothiocarbonyl ligands RNNC(R')E, E = O or S

The series of 4-center unsaturated chelate ligands A═B-C═D with redox activity to yield (-)A-B═C-D(-) in two steps has been complemented by two new combinations RNNC(R')E, E = O or S, R = R' = Ph. The ligands N-benzoyl-N'-phenyldiazene = L(O), and N-thiobenzoyl-N'-phenyldiazene = L(S), (obtained in situ) form structurally characterized compounds [(acac)(2)Ru(L)], 1 with L = L(O), and 3 with L = L(S), and [(bpy)(2)Ru(L)](PF(6)), 2(PF(6)) with L = L(O), and 4(PF(6)) with L = L(S) (acac(-) = 2,4-pentanedionato; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine). According to spectroscopy and the N-N distances around 1.35 ? and N-C bond lengths of about 1.33 ?, all complexes involve the monoanionic (radical) ligand form. For 1 and 3, the antiferromagnetic spin-spin coupling with electron transfer-generated Ru(III) leads to diamagnetic ground states of the neutral complexes, whereas the cations 2(+) and 4(+) are EPR-active radical ligand complexes of Ru(II). The complexes are reduced and oxidized in reversible one-electron steps. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry in conjunction with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations allowed us to assign the electronic transitions in the redox series, revealing mostly ligand-centered electron transfer: [(acac)(2)Ru(III)(L(0))](+) ? [(acac)(2)Ru(III)(L(?-))] ? [(acac)(2)Ru(III)(L(2-))](-)/[(acac)(2)Ru(II)(L(?-))](-), and [(bpy)(2)Ru(III)(L(?-))](2+)/[(bpy)(2)Ru(II)(L(0))](2+) ? [(bpy)(2)Ru(II)(L(?-))](+) ? [(bpy)(2)Ru(II)(L(2-))](0). The differences between the O and S containing compounds are rather small in comparison to the effects of the ancillary ligands, acac(-) versus bpy.