Two-photon absorption properties of iron(II) and ruthenium(II) trischelate complexes of 2,2':4,4' ':4',4' '-quaterpyridinium ligands

A series of RuII or FeII trischelate complex salts containing N-methyl/aryl-2,2':4,4' ':4',4' '-quaterpyridinium ligands that has previously been subjected to quadratic nonlinear optical studies (Coe, B. J. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 13399) has now been investigated for two-photon absorbing behavior. Z-scan measurements using a 750 nm laser afford reasonably large two-photon absorption (2PA) cross-sections sigma2 of ca. 62-180 GM for the RuII complexes, but only very weak 2PA is observed for the FeII compounds. The excited-state and 2PA properties of the representative chromophore [RuII(Me2Qpy2+)3]8+ (Me2Qpy2+=N' ',N' '-dimethyl-2,2':4,4' ':4',4' '-quaterpyridinium) have also been investigated by using semiempirical intermediate neglect of differential overlap/multireference-determinant single and double configuration interaction computations with the optimized geometry obtained via density functional theory. The calculated sigma2 value of ca. 624 GM at 1.70 eV for this metal-to-ligand charge-transfer chromophore is about 10 times larger than that obtained from the Z-scan studies.     

Synthesis and properties of the elusive ruthenium(II) complexes of 4'-cyano-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine

The heteroleptic and homoleptic ruthenium(II) complexes of 4'-cyano-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine are synthesized by palladium catalyzed cyanation of the corresponding Ru(II) complexes of 4'-chloro-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine. The introduction of the strongly electron-withdrawing cyano group into the Ru(tpy)(2)(2+) moiety dramatically changes its photophysical and redox properties as well as prolongs its room temperature excited-state lifetime.     

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemistry of 4'-functionalized 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine ruthenium(II) complexes and their biological activity

The synthesis and characterization of Ru(II) terpyridine complexes derived from 4'-functionalized 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine ligands by a multi step procedure have been described. The complexes are redox-active, showing both metal-centred (oxidation) and ligand-centred (reduction) processes. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the synthesized ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(attpy)2](PF6)2 (attpy = 4'-(4-acryloyloxymethylphenyl)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine); [Ru(mttpy)2](PF6)2 (mttpy = 4'-(4-methacryloyloxymethylphenyl)-2,2':6',2'- terpyridine); [Ru(mttpy)(MeOPhttpy)](PF6)2 (MeOPhttpy = 4'-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine); and [Ru(mttpy)(ttpy)](PF6)2 (ttpy = 4'-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) were tested against four human pathogens (Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) and five plant pathogens (Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium udum, Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani) by the well diffusion method and MIC values of the complexes are reported. A biological study of the complexes indicated that the complexes [Ru(mttpy)2](PF6)2 and [Ru(mttpy)(MeOPhttpy)](PF6)2 exhibit very good activity against most of the test pathogens and their activity is better than those of some of the commercially available antibiotics like tetracycline and the fungicide carbendazim.     

Orientational control of electronic coupling in mixed-valence, binuclear ruthenium(II)-bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) complexes

A series of binuclear ruthenium(II)-bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) complexes has been prepared around a central biphenylene unit equipped with a strap of variable length. Partial oxidation forms the mixed-valence complex that displays both ligand-to-metal, charge-transfer, and intervalence charge-transfer (IVCT) transitions in the near-IR region. On the basis of Hush theory, the electronic coupling matrix element for interaction between the metal centers decreases with increasing length of the tethering strap. This effect arises because the strap modulates the torsion angle between the phenyl rings and thereby controls the extent of through-bond electronic coupling. The coupling element favors a maximum for planar geometries and a minimum for orthogonal structures, but the full impact of the torsion angle is not realized due to thermal fluctuations.     

Synthesis, luminescence, and electrochemical studies of tris(homoleptic) ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes of 6'-tolyl-2,2':4',2'-terpyridine

The synthesis and photophysical and electrochemical properties of tris(homoleptic) complexes [Ru(tpbpy)3](PF6)2 (1) and [Os(tpbpy)3](PF6)2 (2) (tpbpy = 6'-tolyl-2,2':4',2' '-terpyridine) are reported. The ligand tpbpy is formed as the side product during the synthesis of 4'-tolyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine (ttpy) and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: monoclinic, P21/c. The tridentate tpbpy coordinates as a bidentate ligand. The complexes 1 and 2 exhibit two intense absorption bands in the UV region (200-350 nm) assignable to the ligand-centered (1LC) pi-pi* transitions. The ruthenium(II) complex exhibits a broad absorption band at 470 nm while the osmium(II) complex exhibits an intense absorption band at 485 nm and a weak band at 659 nm assignable to the MLCT (dpi-pi*) transitions. A red shifting of the dpi-pi* MLCT transition is observed on going from the Ru(II) to the Os(II) complex as expected from the high-lying dpi Os orbitals. These complexes exhibit ligand-sensitized emission at 732 and 736 nm, respectively, upon light excitation onto their MLCT band through excitation of higher energy LC bands at room temperature. The MLCT transitions and the emission maxima of 1 and 2 are substantially red-shifted compared to that of [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 and [Os(bpy)3](PF6)2. The emission of both the complexes in the presence of acid is completely quenched indicating that the emission is not due to the protonation of the coordinated ligands. Our results indicate the occurrence of intramolecular energy transfer from the ligand to the metal center. Both the complexes undergo quasi-reversible metal-centered oxidation, and the E1/2 values for the M(II)/M(III) redox couples (0.94 and 0.50 V versus Ag/Ag+ for 1 and 2, respectively) are cathodically shifted with respect to that of [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 and [Os(bpy)3](PF6)2 (E1/2 = 1.28 and 1.09 V versus Ag/Ag+, respectively). The tris(homoleptic) Ru(II) and Os(II) complexes 1 and 2 could be used to construct polynuclear complexes by using the modular synthetic approach in coordination compounds by exploiting the coordinating ability of the pyridine substituent. Furthermore, these complexes offer the possibility of studying the influence of electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents on the photophysical properties of Ru(II) and Os(II) polypyridine complexes.     

Highly efficient alkene epoxidation and aziridination catalyzed by iron(II) salt + 4,4',4'-trichloro-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine/4,4'-dichloro-4'-O-PEG-OCH3-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine

"Iron(II) salt + 4,4',4'-trichloro-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine" is an effective catalyst for epoxidation and aziridination of alkenes and intramolecular amidation of sulfamate esters. The epoxidation of allylic-substituted cycloalkenes achieved excellent diastereoselectivities up to 90%. ESI-MS results supported the formation of iron-oxo and -imido intermediates. Derivitization of Cl 3terpy to O-PEG-OCH 3-Cl 2terpy renders the terpyridine unit to be recyclable, and the "iron(II) salt + 4,4'-dichloro-4'- O-PEG-OCH 3-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine" protocol can be reused without a significant loss of catalytic activity in the alkene epoxidation.     

Synthesis and computational studies of Mg complexes supported by 2,2':6,2'-terpyridine ligands

The reactions of the substituted 2,2':6,2'-terpyridine ligands, 4'-mesityl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (mesitylterpy) (1a), 4,4',4'-tri-tert-butyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (tri-(t)Buterpy) (1b) and 4'-phenyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (phenylterpy) (1c) with Grignard reagents were investigated. When half an equivalent of mesitylterpy or tri-(t)Buterpy were treated with MeMgBr in diethyl ether, the only products were (R-terpy)MgBr(2) (R = mesityl (5a), or tri-(t)Bu (5b)) and Me(2)Mg and a similar reaction was observed in THF. Compounds 5a and 5b were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Changing the Grignard reagent to PhMgBr also generated 5a and 5b along with Ph(2)Mg, while the reaction between MeMgCl or PhMgCl and 1a or 1b generated (R-terpy)MgCl(2) (R = mesityl (6a), or tri-(t)Bu (6b)) and either Me(2)Mg or Ph(2)Mg, respectively. The products from reactions between phenylterpy (1c) and Grignard reagents were highly insoluble and could not be fully characterized but appeared to be the same as those from reactions with 1a and 1b. In contrast to other studies using tridentate nitrogen ligands, which formed either mixed halide alkyl species or dihalide and bis(alkyl) species depending on whether the Grignard reagent was reacted with the ligand in diethyl ether or THF, the formation of mixed halide, alkyl complexes of the type (R-terpy)MgR'X (R' = Me or Ph; X = Cl or Br) or dialkyl species such as (R-terpy)MgR'(2) (R' = Me or Ph) was not observed here, regardless of the reaction conditions. DFT studies were performed to complement the experimental studies. The experimental results could not be accurately reproduced unless π-stacking effects associated with free terpyridine were included in the model. When these effects were included, the calculations were consistent with the experimental results which indicated that the formation of the terpy Mg dihalide species and R'(2)Mg (R' = Me or Ph) is thermodynamically preferred over the formation of mixed alkyl halide Mg species. This is proposed to be due to the increased steric bulk of the terpy ligand in the coordination plane, compared with other tridentate nitrogen donors.     

Reversible luminescence switching in a ruthenium(II) bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyridine)-benzoquinone dyad

An electroactive luminescent switch has been synthesized that comprises a hydroquinone-functionalized 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine ligand coordinated to a ruthenium(II) (4'-phenylethynyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) fragment. The assembly is sufficiently rigid that the hydroquinone-chromophore distance is fixed. Excitation of the complex via the characteristic metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption band produces an excited triplet state in which the promoted electron is localized on the terpyridine ligand bearing the acetylenic group. The triplet lifetime in butyronitrile solution at room temperature is 46 +/- 3 ns but increases markedly at lower temperature. Oxidation of the hydroquinone to the corresponding benzoquinone switches on an electron-transfer process whereby the MLCT triplet donates an electron to the quinone. This reaction reduces the triplet lifetime to 190 +/- 12 ps and essentially extinguishes emission. The rate of electron transfer depends on temperature in line with classical Marcus theory, allowing calculation of the electronic coupling matrix element and the reorganization energy as being 22 cm(-1) and 0.84 eV, respectively. The switching behavior can be monitored using luminescence spectroelectrochemistry. The on/off level is set by temperature and increases as the temperature is lowered.     

Expanded ligands: bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyridine carboxylic acid)ruthenium(ii) complexes as metallosupramolecular analogues of dicarboxylic acids

Ligands in which multiple metal-binding domains are linked by a metal-containing moiety rather than a conventional organic group are described as "expanded ligands". The use of 4,4'-difunctionalised {Ru(tpy)(2)} units provides a linear spacer between metal-binding domains and we have extended this motif to expanded ligands containing two carboxylic acid metal-binding domains. In this paper, we describe the synthesis and structural characterisation of ruthenium(ii) complexes of 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine-4'-carboxylic acid and 4'-carboxyphenyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine. The ability of the ruthenium(ii) centre to charge compensate deprotonation of the carboxylic acid leads to Zwitterionic complexes and three representative compounds have been structurally characterised.     

An apparent angle dependence for the nonradiative deactivation of excited triplet states of sterically constrained, binuclear ruthenium(II) bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) complexes

The photophysical properties are reported for a series of binuclear ruthenium(II) bis(2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) complexes built around a geometrically constrained, biphenyl-based bridge. The luminescence quantum yield and lifetime increase progressively with decreasing temperature, but the derived rate constant for nonradiative decay of the lowest-energy triplet state depends on the length of a tethering strap attached at the 2,2'-positions of the biphenyl unit. Since the length of the strap determines the dihedral angle for the central C-C bond, the rate of nonradiative decay shows a pronounced dependence on angle. The minimum rate of nonradiative decay occurs when the dihedral angle is 90 degrees, but there is a maximum in the rate when the dihedral angle is about 45 degrees. This effect does not appear to be related to the extent of electron delocalization at the triplet level but can be explained in terms of variable coupling with a low-frequency vibrational mode associated with the strapped biphenyl unit.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes with improved photophysical properties based on planar 4'-(2-pyrimidinyl)-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine ligands

A series of new tridentate polypyridine ligands, made of terpyridine chelating subunits connected to various substituted 2-pyrimidinyl groups, and their homoleptic and heteroleptic Ru(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized. The new metal complexes have general formulas [(R-pm-tpy)Ru(tpy)]2+ and [Ru(tpy-pm-R)2]2+ (tpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine; R-pm-tpy = 4'-(2-pyrimidinyl)-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine with R = H, methyl, phenyl, perfluorophenyl, chloride, and cyanide). Two of the new metal complexes have also been characterized by X-ray analysis. In all the R-pm-tpy ligands, the pyrimidinyl and terpyridyl groups are coplanar, allowing an extended delocalization of acceptor orbital of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited state. The absorption spectra, redox behavior, and luminescence properties of the new Ru(II) complexes have been investigated. In particular, the photophysical properties of these species are significantly better compared to those of [Ru(tpy)2]2+ and well comparable with those of the best emitters of Ru(II) polypyridine family containing tridentate ligands. Reasons for the improved photophysical properties lie at the same time in an enhanced MLCT-MC (MC = metal centered) energy gap and in a reduced difference between the minima of the excited and ground states potential energy surfaces. The enhanced MLCT-MC energy gap leads to diminished efficiency of the thermally activated pathway for the radiationless process, whereas the similarity in ground and excited-state geometries causes reduced Franck Condon factors for the direct radiationless decay from the MLCT state to the ground state of the new complexes in comparison with [Ru(tpy)2]2+ and similar species.     

Water-soluble alkylated bis{4'-(4-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine}ruthenium(II) complexes for use as photosensitizers in water oxidation: a complementary experimental and TD-DFT investigation

A series of N-alkylated derivatives [RuL(2)][PF(6)](4) has been prepared from [Ru(pytpy)(2)][PF(6)](2) (N-alkyl substituent = 4-cyanobenzyl, 4-nitrobenzyl, ethyl, cyanomethyl, allyl, octyl). Solution NMR spectroscopic, electrochemical and photophysical properties are reported, along with the single crystal structure of [Ru(4)(2)][PF(6)](4)·H(2)O (4 = 4'-(4-(1-ethylpyridinio))-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine). Anion exchange leads to the water-soluble [RuL(2)][HSO(4)](4) salts (N-alkyl substituent = benzyl, 4-cyanobenzyl, 4-nitrobenzyl, ethyl, cyanomethyl, allyl, octyl) and the NMR spectroscopic signatures of pairs of hexafluoridophosphate and hydrogensulfate salts are compared. The change in anion has little effect on the energies of absorptions in the electronic spectra, although for all complexes, decreases in extinction coefficients are observed. The emission spectra and lifetimes for the hexafluoridophosphate and hydrogensulfate salts show similar trends; all exhibit an emission close to 720-730 nm (λ(ex) = 510 nm). For a given ligand, L, the emission lifetime decreases on going from [RuL(2)][PF(6)](4) to [RuL(2)][HSO(4)](4). However, trends are the same for both salts, i.e. the longest lived emitters are observed for N-ethyl, N-octyl and N-benzyl derivatives, and the shortest lived emitters are those containing cyano or nitro groups. Significantly, in the absorption spectra of the complexes, there is little variation in the energy of the MLCT band, suggesting that the character of the ligand orbital involved in the transition contains no character from the N-substituent. We have addressed this by carrying out a complementary DFT and TD-DFT study. Calculated absorption spectra predict a red shift in λ(max) on going from [Ru(pytpy)(2)](2+) to [RuL(2)](4+), and little variation in λ(max) within the series of [RuL(2)](4+) complexes; these results agree with experimental observations. Analysis of the compositions of the MOs involved in the MLCT transitions explain the experimental observations, showing that there is no contribution from orbitals on the N-alkyl substituents, consistent with the fact that the nature of the N-substituents has little influence on the energy of the MLCT band. The theoretical results also reveal satisfactory agreement between calculated and crystallographic data for [Ru(1)(2)](4+) (1 = 4'-(4-(1-benzylpyridinio))-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) and [Ru(4)(2)](4+).     

Photophysical properties of closely-coupled, binuclear ruthenium(II) bis(2,2':6',2''-terpyridine) complexes

The photophysical properties of closely-coupled, binuclear complexes formed by connecting two ruthenium(II) bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) complexes via an alkynylene group are compared to those of the parent complex. The dimers exhibit red-shifted emission maxima and prolonged triplet lifetimes in deoxygenated solution. Triplet quantum yields are much less than unity and the dimers generate singlet molecular oxygen with low quantum efficiency. Temperature dependence emission studies indicate coupling to higher-energy triplet states while cyclic voltammetry shows that the metal centres are only very weakly coupled but that extensive electron delocalization occurs upon one-electron reduction. The radiative rate constants derived for these dimers are relatively low, because the lowest-energy metal-to-ligand, charge-transfer states possess increased triplet character. In contrast, the rate constants for nonradiative decay of the lowest-energy triplet states are kept low by extended electron delocalization over the polytopic ligand. The poor triplet yields are a consequence of partitioning at the second triplet level.     

Environmental control of solution speciation in cobalt(II) 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine complexes: anion and solvent dependence

In methanol or chloroform/methanol solutions, reactions of Cltpy or MeOtpy (Rtpy = 4'-R-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) with CoX(2)·xH(2)O (X(-) = Cl(-), [OAc](-), [NO(3)](-) or [BF(4)](-)) result in the formation of equilibrium mixtures of [Co(Rtpy)(2)](2+) and [Co(Rtpy)X(2)]. A study of the solution speciation has been carried out using (1)H NMR spectroscopy, aided by the dispersion of signals in the paramagnetically shifted spectra; on going from a low- to high-spin cobalt(II) complex, proton H(6) of the tpy ligand undergoes a significant shift to higher frequency. For R = Cl and X(-) = [OAc](-), increasing the amount of CD(3)OD in the CD(3)OD/CDCl(3) solvent mixture affects both the relative proportions of [Co(Cltpy)(2)](2+) and [Co(Cltpy)(OAc)(2)] and the chemical shifts of the (1)H NMR resonances arising from [Co(Cltpy)(OAc)(2)]. When the solvent is essentially CDCl(3), the favoured species is [Co(Cltpy)(OAc)(2)]. For the 4'-methoxy-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine, the speciation of mono- and bis(terpyridine)cobalt(II) complexes depends upon the anion, solvent and ligand:Co(2+) ion ratio. The (1)H NMR spectrum of [Co(MeOtpy)(2)](2+) is virtually independent of anion and solvent. In contrast, the signals arising from [Co(MeOtpy)X(2)] depend on the anion and solvent. In the case of X(-) = [BF(4)](-), we propose that the mono(tpy) complex formed in solution is [Co(MeOtpy)L(n)](2+) (L = H(2)O or solvent, n = 1-3). The formation of mono(tpy) species has been confirmed by the solid state structures of [Co(Cltpy)(OAc-O)(OAc-O,O')], [Co(MeOtpy)(OAc-O)(OAc-O,O')], [Co(MeOtpy)(NO(3)-O)(2)(OH(2))] and [Co(MeOtpy)Cl(2)]. The single crystal structure of the cobalt(III) complex [Co(Cltpy)Cl(3)]·CHCl(3) is also reported.     

Eilatin as a bridging ligand in ruthenium(II) complexes: synthesis,crystal structures,absorption spectra,and electrochemical properties

The potential of the heptacyclic aromatic alkaloid eilatin (1), that features two nonequivalent binding sites, to serve as a bridging ligand is reported. The nonequivalency of the binding sites allowed the selective synthesis of both mono- and dinuclear complexes. The mononuclear Ru(II) complexes [Ru(dmbpy)(2)(eilatin)](2+) (2) and [Ru(tmbpy)(2)(eilatin)](2+) (3) in which eilatin selectively binds "head-on" were synthesized and employed as building blocks in the synthesis of the dinuclear complexes [[Ru(dmbpy)(2)](2)(mu-eilatin)](4+) (4) and [[Ru(tmbpy)(2)](2)(mu-eilatin)](4+) (5). Complete structure elucidation of the complexes in solution was accomplished by 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The X-ray structures of the mononuclear complex 3 and of the two dinuclear complexes 4 and 5 were solved, and absorption spectra and electrochemical properties of the complexes were explored. Both dinuclear complexes formed as racemic mixtures in a 3:1 diastereoisomeric ratio, the major isomer being the heterochiral one (Delta Lambda/Lambda Delta) as revealed by crystallography. The mononuclear complexes feature an exceptionally low energy MLCT band around 600 nm that shifted to over 700 nm upon the binding of the second Ru(II) center. The mononuclear complexes show one reversible oxidation and several reversible reduction waves, the first two reductions being substantially anodically shifted in comparison with [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+), attributed to the reduction of eilatin, and consistent with its low lying pi* orbital. The dinuclear complexes follow the same reduction trend, exhibiting several reversible reduction waves, and two reversible well-resolved metal centered oxidations due to the nonequivalent binding sites and to a significant metal-metal interaction mediated by the bridging eilatin.     

Studies on copper(II)-thiosemicarbazide complexes: Electronic absorption spectra

The complex formation between copper(II) and thiosemicarbazide has been investigated via spectrophotometric and potentiometric procedures. The Leden-Fronaeus methods were used to calculate the formation constants from e.m.f. measurements. The electronic absorption spectra of copper(II)-bis-thiosemilcarbazide complex was studied in different solvents and the energy level splitting of copper(II) orbitals was discussed. The spectra have shown an appreciable tetragonal distortion geometry for the complex ion.     

Electron delocalization in a ruthenium(II) Bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridyl) complex

Photophysical properties have been recorded for a ruthenium(II) bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) complex bearing a single ethynylene substituent. The target compound is weakly emissive in fluid solution at room temperature, but both the emission yield and lifetime increase dramatically as the temperature is lowered. As found for the unsubstituted parent complex, the full temperature dependence indicates that the lowest-energy triplet state couples to two higher-energy triplets and to the ground state. Luminescence occurs only from the lowest-energy triplet state, but the radiative and nonradiative decay rates indicate that electron delocalization occurs at the triplet level. Comparison of the target compound with the parent complex indicates that the ethynylene group reduces the size of the electron-vibrational coupling element for nonradiative decay of the lowest-energy triplet state. Although other factors are affected by substitution, this is by far the most important feature with regard to stabilization of the triplet state.     

Ligands and complexes with supramolecular aromatic-aromatic interactions: iron(II) and ruthenium(II) complexes of 2,2':6',2'-terpyridines with pendant naphthalene groups

The synthesis and characterisation of five new ligands (L), each containing a terpy binding domain and bearing a pendant naphthalene group in the 4'-position are described; homoleptic complexes, [ML2][PF6]4 (M = Fe, Ru) have been studied and structural data for four complexes are reported.     

Preparation, separation, and characterization of ruthenium(II) thiocyanate linkage isomers

The reaction of [(p-cym)Ru(bpy)Cl](+) (p-cym = eta(6)-p-cymene; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) with SCN(-) gives a mixture of the linkage isomers [(p-cym)Ru(bpy)(SCN)](+) and [(p-cym)Ru(bpy)(NCS)](+). The linkage isomers were efficiently separated by column chromatography on Hg(NO3)2-coated Al2O3. Both isomers were fully characterized by elemental analysis, (1)H NMR and IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The equilibrium constant for the conversion of the S-bound to the N-bound isomer was determined to be 0.29(4) in methanol-d4 and 0.74(7) in acetone-d6, respectively, at 50 degrees C. Kinetic data for the linkage isomerization reaction are also reported.