Synthesis of New Porphyrin–Fullerene Dyads Capable of Forming Charge‐Separated States on a Microsecond Lifetime Scale

A series of covalently linked axially symmetric porphyrin–fullerene dyads with a rigid pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrolic linker enabling a fixed and orthogonal arrangement of the chromophores has been synthesized and studied by means of transient absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The lifetime of the charge‐separated state has been found to depend on the substituents on the porphyrin core, reaching up to 4 μs for a species with meso‐(p‐MeOC₆H₄) substituents. The ground and excited electronic states of model compounds have been calculated at the DFT and TD‐DFT B3LYP(6‐31G(d)) levels of theory and analyzed with regard to the effect of the substituent on the stabilization of the charge‐separated state in the porphyrin–fullerene ensemble with a view to explaining the observed dependence.     

Light‐Driven Charge Separation in Isoxazolidine–Perylene Bisimide Dyads

A series of arrays for light‐driven charge separation is presented, in which perylene tetracarboxylic bisimide is the light‐absorbing chromophore and electron acceptor, whereas isoxazolidines are colourless electron donors, the electron‐releasing properties of which are increased with respect to the amino group by means of the α‐effect. Charge separation (CS) in toluene over a distance ranging from ≈10 to ≈16 Å, with efficiencies of ≈95 to ≈50 % and CS lifetimes from 300 ps to 15 ns, are demonstrated. In dichloromethane the charge recombination reaction is faster than charge separation, preventing accumulation of the CS state. The effects of solvent polarity and molecular structure are discussed in the frame of current theories.     

Drastic Tuning of the Photonic Properties of «(Push–Pull)n» trans‐Bis(ethynyl)bis(Tributylphosphine)Platinum(II)‐Containing Polymers

The trans‐Pt(PBu₃)₂Cl₂ complex reacts with 1 equiv. of 2,6‐diethynyl‐ AQ and 2 equiv. of 2‐ethynyl‐ AQ ( AQ = anthraquinone) to form the polymer (trans‐Pt(2,6‐diethynyl‐ AQ )₂(PBu₃)₂)_n, 1 , and the model compounds, 2 , trans‐Pt(PBu₃)₂(2‐ethynyl‐ AQ )₂ (in a 20:1 ratio as trans‐( 2a ) and cis‐( 2b ) rotational isomers), respectively. These redox‐active and luminescent materials have been characterized by gel permeation chromatography, thermal gravimetric analysis, X‐ray crystallography, electrochemistry, photophysics, and DFT computations (B3LYP). The typical π,π* T₂→S₀ phosphorescence centered on the trans‐Pt(PBu₃)₂(aryl)₂ chromophore, [Pt] , generally encountered for the analogous polymers (trans‐Pt(PBu₃)₂(aryl)₂‐acceptor)_n (acceptor = quinonediimine, QN₂ ; anthraquinone diimine, AQN₂ ), for which the CT T₁→S₀ emission is silent, has been completely annihilated and replaced by a red‐shifted T₁→S₀ emission in 1 and 2a , which arise from a triplet charge transfer excited state [Pt] → AQ .

     

A Charge‐Stabilizing,Multimodular, Ferrocene–Bis(triphenylamine)–Zinc‐porphyrin–Fullerene Polyad

A novel multimodular donor–acceptor polyad featuring zinc porphyrin, fullerene, ferrocene, and triphenylamine entities was designed, synthesized, and studied as a charge‐stabilizing, photosynthetic‐antenna/reaction‐center mimic. The ferrocene and fullerene entities, covalently linked to the porphyrin ring, were distantly separated to accomplish the charge‐separation/hole‐migration events leading to the creation of a long‐lived charge‐separated state. The geometry and electronic structures of the newly synthesized compound was deduced by B3LYP/3‐21G(*) optimization, while the energy levels for different photochemical events was established using data from the optical absorption and emission, and electrochemical studies. Excitation of the triphenylamine entities revealed singlet‐singlet energy transfer to the appended zinc porphyrin. As predicted from the energy levels, photoinduced electron transfer from both the singlet and triplet excited states of the zinc porphyrin to fullerene followed by subsequent hole migration involving ferrocene was witnessed from the transient absorption studies. The charge‐separated state persisted for about 8.5 μs and was governed by the distance between the final charge‐transfer product, that is, a species involving a ferrocenium cation and a fullerene radical anion, with additional influence from the charge‐stabilizing triphenylamine entities located on the zinc‐porphyrin macrocycle.     

Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of (Pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl)–(Nitronyl Nitroxide)/(Iminonitroxide)‐Dyads

Unlike extensively studied diradicals linked by π‐conjugated systems, only a few studies have investigated weakly coupled diradicals linked by an sp³ carbon atom. Herein, we prepared pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl–(nitronyl nitroxide)‐dyad 5 and pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl–iminonitroxide‐dyad 6 . From the observed temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, 5 and 6 were determined to be in singlet ground states with 2J_intra/k_B=?35.2 K and ?13.6 K, respectively. From these results and theoretical calculations of related diradicals, the spin‐polarization model counting the small spin density of the sp³ carbon atom could be used as a spin‐prediction model.     

Synthesis,spectral and antibacterial activity of Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 2‐hydroxy‐benzoic acid(3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐naphthalen‐1‐ylidene)‐hydrazide

A bioactive Schiff base HL i.e. 2‐hydroxy‐benzoic acid(3,4‐dihydro‐2H ‐naphthalen‐1‐ylidene)‐hydrazide was synthesized by reacting equimolar amount of salicylic acid hydrazide and 1‐tetralone. Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes of ligand HL was synthesized in 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratio of metal to ligand. The structure of the synthesized ligand and metal complexes was established by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, electronic, IR and EPR spectral techniques. For determining the thermal stability the TGA has been done. In DFT studies the geometries of Schiff bases and metal complexes were fully optimized with respect to the energy using the 6–31 + g(d,p) basis set. Spectral data reveal that ligand behave uninegative tridentate in ML complexes and uninegative bidentate in ML₂ complexes. On the basis of characterization octahedral geometry has been assigned for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes, while tetrahedral for Zn(II) complexes. Antibacterial activity of the synthesized compounds were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli , Xanthomonas campestris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the results revealed that metal complexes show enhanced activity in comparison to free ligand.     

High‐Potential Perfluorinated Phthalocyanine–Fullerene Dyads for Generation of High‐Energy Charge‐Separated States: Formation and Photoinduced Electron‐Transfer Studies

High oxidation potential perfluorinated zinc phthalocyanines (ZnF_nPcs) are synthesised and their spectroscopic, redox, and light‐induced electron‐transfer properties investigated systematically by forming donor–acceptor dyads through metal–ligand axial coordination of fullerene (C₆₀) derivatives. Absorption and fluorescence spectral studies reveal efficient binding of the pyridine‐ (Py) and phenylimidazole‐functionalised fullerene (C₆₀Im) derivatives to the zinc centre of the F_nPcs. The determined binding constants, K, in o‐dichlorobenzene for the 1:1 complexes are in the order of 10⁴ to 10⁵ M ^?1; nearly an order of magnitude higher than that observed for the dyad formed from zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) lacking fluorine substituents. The geometry and electronic structure of the dyads are determined by using the B3LYP/6‐31G* method. The HOMO and LUMO levels are located on the Pc and C₆₀ entities, respectively; this suggests the formation of ZnF_nPc^.+–C₆₀Im^.? and ZnF_nPc^.+–C₆₀Py^.? (n=0, 8 or 16) intra‐supramolecular charge‐separated states during electron transfer. Electrochemical studies on the ZnPc–C₆₀ dyads enable accurate determination of their oxidation and reduction potentials and the energy of the charge‐separated states. The energy of the charge‐separated state for dyads composed of ZnF_nPc is higher than that of normal ZnPc–C₆₀ dyads and reveals their significance in harvesting higher amounts of light energy. Evidence for charge separation in the dyads is secured from femtosecond transient absorption studies in nonpolar toluene. Kinetic evaluation of the cation and anion radical ion peaks reveals ultrafast charge separation and charge recombination in dyads composed of perfluorinated phthalocyanine and fullerene; this implies their significance in solar‐energy harvesting and optoelectronic device building applications.     

A Ruthenium Bridge in Fullerene–Ferrocene Arrays: Synthesis of [Ru(C60Me5)R(CO)2] (R=C6H4Fc,C≡CFc) and Their Charge‐Transfer Properties

New fullerene–ferrocene arrays, [Ru(C₆₀Me₅)(C₄H₆Fc)(CO)₂] (Fc=ferrocenyl) and [Ru(C₆₀Me₅)(CCFc)(CO)₂], in which the ruthenium complex functions as a conjugative bridge, were synthesized by the reaction of [Ru(C₆₀Me₅)Cl(CO)₂] with FcC₆H₄MgBr and FcCCLi, respectively. These compounds were investigated by electrochemical measurement, single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis, and photophysical measurement. Upon photoirradiation, the former compound was converted rapidly into the corresponding triplet state in toluene (τ_singlet=21 ps), whereas the charge‐separated state was predominant in THF (τ_singlet=10.5 ps; τ_CS=355 ps). The latter compound, on the other hand, formed the charge‐separated state in both toluene and THF (τ_singlet=3.0 ps; τ_CS=152 ps). Thus, the structural difference between the phenylene and acetylene bridges in 1 and 2 , respectively, was found to change the outcome of the photophysical processes.     

Photophysical characteristics of soluble oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene)–fullerene dyad

The fact that C₆₀ is a good acceptor has stimulated interest in covalently linked complexes, including polymers and oligomers. Photoinduced charge transfer in these systems has great potential for use in photovoltaic devices. In this study, an alternating conjugated oligomer of alkylated carbazole and dialkoxyl‐substituted phenylene, with pendant C₆₀ moieties, (PPV‐AFCAR) was prepared and characterized. The excited‐state properties of PPV–AFCAR were investigated with steady‐state spectroscopy and lifetime measurements. After photoexcitation, photoinduced energy transfer from the oligomer chain to the pendant moiety occurred in great proportion, but a charge‐separation process did not. Whether the energy‐transfer process was measurable or not depended on the system temperature. At 77 K, a quantum yield of more than 50% for energy transfer was found by the fitting of a linear combination of the excitation spectra of the precursor oligomer, the alternating conjugated oligomer of alkylated carbazole and dialkoxyl‐substituted phenylene PPV–ACAR, and the absorption spectra of C₆₀. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3981–3988, 2001     

Long‐Lived Charge‐Transfer State Induced by Spin‐Orbit Charge Transfer Intersystem Crossing (SOCT‐ISC) in a Compact Spiro Electron Donor/Acceptor Dyad

We prepared conceptually novel, fully rigid, spiro compact electron donor (Rhodamine B, lactam form, RB)/acceptor (naphthalimide; NI) orthogonal dyad to attain the long‐lived triplet charge‐transfer (³CT) state, based on the electron spin control using spin‐orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT‐ISC). Transient absorption (TA) spectra indicate the first charge separation (CS) takes place within 2.5 ps, subsequent SOCT‐ISC takes 8 ns to produce the ³NI* state. Then the slow secondary CS (125 ns) gives the long‐lived ³CT state (0.94 μs in deaerated n‐hexane) with high energy level (ca. 2.12 eV). The cascade photophysical processes of the dyad upon photoexcitation are summarized as ¹NI*→¹CT→³NI*→³CT. With time‐resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectra, an EEEAAA electron‐spin polarization pattern was observed for the naphthalimide‐localized triplet state. Our spiro compact dyad structure and the electron spin‐control approach is different to previous methods for which invoking transition‐metal coordination or chromophores with intrinsic ISC ability is mandatory.     

(PPh4)2[Cl2Re(N3S2)(μ‐NSN)(μ‐N≡ReCl3)]2 – ein Rhenium(VII)‐Komplex mit einer Nitrido‐, einer Dinitridosulfato(II)‐ und einer Rhena‐3,5‐dithia‐2,4,6‐triazino‐Funktion

(PPh₄)₂[Cl₂Re(N₃S₂)(μ‐NSN)(μ‐N≡ReCl₃)]₂ – a Rhenium(VII) Complex with a Nitrido, a Dinitridosulfato(II), and a Rhena‐3,5‐dithia‐2,4,6‐triazino Function The title compound has been prepared from PPh₄[Re^VIICl₄(NSCl)₂] with N(SiMe₃)₃ in dichloromethane solution to give red‐brown single crystals, which were suitable for a crystal structure determination. As a by‐product PPh₄[ReNCl₄] is formed. (PPh₄)₂[Cl₂Re^VII(N₃S₂)(μ‐NSN)(μ‐N≡Re^VIICl₃)]₂ ( 1 ): Space group P2₁/c, Z = 2, lattice dimensions at –80 °C: a = 1280.8(2), b = 1017.5(1), c = 2467.8(3) pm, β = 95.04(1)°, R = 0.049. The complex anion of 1 consists of a planar ReN₃S₂‐heterocycle which is connected with the second rhenium atom by a μ‐nitrido bridge as well as by a μ‐dinitridosulfato(II) ligand to form a planar Re₂(N)(NSN) six‐membered heterocycle. This [Cl₂Re(N₃S₂)(μ‐NSN)(μ‐N≡ReCl₃)]^– unit dimerizes via one of the N‐atoms of the (NSN)^4– ligand to give a centrosymmetric Re₂N₂ four‐membered ring.     

Supramolecular Formation of Li+@PCBM Fullerene with Sulfonated Porphyrins and Long‐Lived Charge Separation

Lithium‐ion‐encapsulated [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester fullerene (Li⁺@PCBM) was utilized to construct supramolecules with sulfonated meso‐tetraphenylporphyrins (MTPPS^4?; M=Zn, H₂) in polar benzonitrile. The association constants were determined to be 1.8×10⁵ M ^?1 for ZnTPPS^4?/Li⁺@PCBM and 6.2×10⁴ M ^?1 for H₂TPPS^4?/Li⁺@PCBM. From the electrochemical analyses, the energies of the charge‐separated (CS) states were estimated to be 0.69 eV for ZnTPPS^4?/Li⁺@PCBM and 1.00 eV for H₂TPPS^4?/Li⁺@PCBM. Upon photoexcitation of the porphyrin moieties of MTPPS^4?/Li⁺@PCBM, photoinduced electron transfer occurred to produce the CS states. The lifetimes of the CS states were 560 μs for ZnTPPS^4?/Li⁺@PCBM and 450 μs for H₂TPPS^4?/Li⁺@PCBM. The spin states of the CS states were determined to be triplet by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements at 4 K. The reorganization energies (λ) and electronic coupling term (V) for back electron transfer (BET) were determined from the temperature dependence of k_BET to be λ=0.36 eV and V=8.5×10^?3 cm^?1 for ZnTPPS^4?/Li⁺@PCBM and λ=0.62 eV and V=7.9×10^?3 cm^?1 for H₂TPPS^4?/Li⁺@PCBM based on the Marcus theory of nonadiabatic electron transfer. Such small V values are the result of a small orbital interaction between the MTPPS^4? and Li⁺@PCBM moieties. These small V values and spin‐forbidden charge recombination afford a long‐lived CS state.     

Structural Relationships obtained from the Coordination of α‐Picolinamide to the (Iminodiacetato)copper(II) Chelate: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Properties of (α‐Picolinamide)(iminodiacetato)copper(II) Dihydrate

The stoichiometric reaction of copper(II) hydroxycarbonate, iminodiacetic acid (H₂IDA = HN(CH₂CO₂H)₂) and α‐picolinamide (pya) in water yields crystalline samples of (α‐picolinamide)(iminodiacetato)copper(II) dihydrate, [Cu(IDA)(pya)] · 2 H₂O ( 1 ). The compound was characterised by thermal (TG analysis with FT‐IR study of the evolved gasses), spectral (IR, electronic and ESR spectra), magnetic and single crystal X‐ray diffraction methods. It crystallises in the triclinic system, space group P1, a = 8.8737(4), b = 10.23203(5), c = 15.7167(11) Å, α = 77.61(1)°, β = 103.89(1)°, γ = 80.32(1)°, Z = 4, final R1 = 0.056. The asymmetric unit contains two crystallographic independent molecules but chemically very similar ones. The Cu^II atom exhibits a square base pyramidal coordination (type 4 + 1). pya acts as N,O‐bidentate ligand supplying two among the four closest donor atoms of the metal [averaged bond distances (Å): Cu–N = 1.982(2), Cu–O(amide) = 1.972(2)]. IDA plays a N,O,O′‐terdentate chelating role [averaged bond distances (Å): Cu–N = 2.004(3), Cu–O = 1.941(2) and Cu–O = 2.242(2)]. The coordinating behaviour of pya in 1 is discussed on the basis of its N,O‐bidentate chelating role and the preference of the ‘Cu‐iminodiacetato' moiety [Cu(IDA)] to link the N‐heterocyclic donor of pya in trans versus the Cu–N(IDA) bond. Consistently the ligand pya is able to impose a fac‐chelating configuration to IDA one around the copper(II) as previously has been reported to mixed‐ligand complexes having a 1/1/2 Cu^II/IDA/N(heterocyclic) donor ratio or a closely related 1/1/1/1 Cu^II/IDA/N(heterocyclic)/N(aliphatic) one.     

Coordination Compounds of Palladium(II) and 4‐Amino‐1,2,4‐triazole

Mononuclear coordination compounds of the type [Pd(NH₂trz)₄]²⁺ with the counterions chloride, nitrate, trifluoromethanesulfonate, and methanesulfonate were synthesized and their structures identified with single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In case of the synthesis with methanesulfonate as the counterion the dominant product was of the generic formula [Pd₂(NH₂trz)₃](CH₃SO₃)₄, and the complex [Pd(NH₂trz)₄](CH₃SO₃)₂ only emerged as a byproduct. While the structure of the byproduct could be analyzed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, suitable crystals of the main product [Pd₂(NH₂trz)₃](CH₃SO₃)₄ could not be obtained. However, stoichiometry implies a polynuclear nature with NH₂trz present in the rare μ₃‐η¹:η¹:η¹ coordination type, i.e. with NH₂trz molecules coordinating to three palladium atoms. Accordingly, identification of solids by single‐crystal analysis alone can be misleading in particular with NH₂trz as a ligand due to its versatile coordination behavior. Finally, analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the complexes were thermally stable (the onset of decomposition well above 100 °C), with [Pd₂(NH₂trz)₃](CH₃SO₃)₄ being the most stable compound (onset of decomposition at 204 °C).     

Systematic Modulation of the Fluorescence Brightness in Boron‐Dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐Tagged N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)–Gold–Thiolates

Five different highly fluorescent boron‐dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐tagged N‐heterocyclic carbene NHC–gold halide complexes were synthesized. The substitution of the halogeno ligand by 4‐substituted aryl thiolates leads to a decrease in the brightness of the complexes. This decrease depends on the electronic nature of the thiols, being most pronounced with highly electron‐rich thiols (4‐R=NMe₂). The brightness of the gold thiolates also depends on the distance between the sulfur atom and the BODIPY moiety. The systematic variation of the electron density of [(NHC–bodipy)Au(SC₆H₄R)] (via different R groups) enables the systematic variation of the fluorescence brightness of an appended BODIPY fluorophore. Based on this and supported by DFT calculations, a photoinduced electron‐transfer quenching appears to be the dominant mechanism controlling the brightness of the appended BODIPY dye.     

(PPh4)2[(SN)ReCl3(μ‐N)(μ‐NSN)ReCl3(THF)] – ein Nitrido‐Thionitrosyl‐Dinitridosulfato‐Komplex des Rheniums

(PPh₄)₂[(SN)ReCl₃(μ‐N)(μ‐NSN)ReCl₃(THF)] – a Nitrido‐Thionitrosyl‐Dinitridosulfato‐Complex of Rhenium The title compound has been prepared from PPh₄[Re^VIICl₄(NSCl)₂] with excess N(SiMe₃)₃ in dichloromethane solution to give red‐brown single crystals after recrystallisation from acetonitrile/THF solutions. As a by‐product PPh₄[ReNCl₄] is formed. (PPh₄)₂[(SN)ReCl₃(μ‐N)(μ‐NSN)ReCl₃(THF)] ( 1 ): Space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at –80 °C: a = 1024.1(1), b = 2350.2(1), c = 2315.4(2) pm, β = 94.09(1)°, R₁ = 0.0403. In the complex anion of 1 the rhenium atoms are connected by an asymmetric Re≡N–Re bridge as well as by a (NSN)^4–‐bridge to form a planar Re₂N(NSN) six‐membered heterocycle. Both rhenium atoms are coordinated by three chlorine atoms, one of them by a thionitrosyl ligand, the other one by the oxygen atom of a thf molecule.     

Tuning the Excited—state Properties of Cyclometalated Platinum（Ⅱ）Complexes of 6—Pheny1—2,2’bipyridine by Ancillary Acetylide Ligand

A series of luminescent cyclometalated platinum(Ⅱ）complexes,(C^N^N)Pt(C≡CR)[HC^N^N=4-(4-tolyl)-6-phenyl-2,2’-bipyridine;R=4-chlorophenyl(1),phenyl(2) and 4-tolyl(3)],were synthesized,and their spectroscopic properties have been examined.These complexes are brightly emissive both in fluid solution and in the solid state,attributed to triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer(^3MLCT)state.The excited state energy can be tuned by ancillary acetylide ligands.The emission lifetimes in dichloromethand solution at room temperature were up to 1.64 μs and the emission quantum yields were in the range of 0.03-0.15.     

Stabilization of the Charge‐Separated States of Covalently Linked Zinc Porphyrin–Triphenylamine–[60]Fullerene

Spectroscopic, redox, computational, and electron transfer reactions of the covalently linked zinc porphyrin–triphenylamine–fulleropyrrolidine system are investigated in solvents of varying polarity. An appreciable interaction between triphenylamine and the porphyrin π system is revealed by steady‐state absorption and emission, redox, and computational studies. Free‐energy calculations suggest that the light‐induced processes via the singlet‐excited porphyrin are exothermic in benzonitrile, dichlorobenzene, toluene, and benzene. The occurrence of fast and efficient charge‐separation processes (≈10¹² s^?1) via the singlet‐excited porphyrin is confirmed by femtosecond transient absorption measurements in solvents with dielectric constants ranging from 25.2 (benzonitrile) to 2.2 (benzene). The rates of the charge separation processes are much less solvent‐dependent, which suggests that the charge‐separation processes occur at the top region of the Marcus parabola. The lifetimes of the singlet radical‐ion pair (70–3000 ps at room temperature) decrease substantially in more polar solvents, which suggests that the charge‐recombination process is occurring in the Marcus inverted region. Interestingly, by utilizing the nanosecond transient absorption spectral technique we can obtain clear evidence about the existence of triplet radical‐ion pairs with relatively long lifetimes of 0.71 μs (in benzonitrile) and 2.2 μs (in o‐dichlorobenzene), but not in toluene and benzene due to energetic considerations. From the point of view of mechanistic information, the synthesized zinc porphyrin–triphenylamine–fulleropyrrolidine system has the advantage that both the lifetimes of the singlet and triplet radical‐ion pair can be determined.     

A Heteroleptic Push–Pull Substituted Iron(II) Bis(tridentate) Complex with Low‐Energy Charge‐Transfer States

A heteroleptic iron(II) complex [Fe(dcpp)(ddpd)]²⁺ with a strongly electron‐withdrawing ligand (dcpp, 2,6‐bis(2‐carboxypyridyl)pyridine) and a strongly electron‐donating tridentate tripyridine ligand (ddpd, N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐dipyridine‐2‐yl‐pyridine‐2,6‐diamine) is reported. Both ligands form six‐membered chelate rings with the iron center, inducing a strong ligand field. This results in a high‐energy, high‐spin state (⁵T₂, (t_2g)⁴(e_g*)²) and a low‐spin ground state (¹A₁, (t_2g)⁶(e_g*)⁰). The intermediate triplet spin state (³T₁, (t_2g)⁵(e_g*)¹) is suggested to be between these states on the basis of the rapid dynamics after photoexcitation. The low‐energy π^* orbitals of dcpp allow low‐energy MLCT absorption plus additional low‐energy LL′CT absorptions from ddpd to dcpp. The directional charge‐transfer character is probed by electrochemical and optical analyses, Mößbauer spectroscopy, and EPR spectroscopy of the adjacent redox states [Fe(dcpp)(ddpd)]³⁺ and [Fe(dcpp)(ddpd)]⁺, augmented by density functional calculations. The combined effect of push–pull substitution and the strong ligand field paves the way for long‐lived charge‐transfer states in iron(II) complexes.