Electronic tuning of ruthenium complexes by 8-quinolate ligands

A series of Ru(II) complexes were synthesized with the deprotonated forms of the ligands 8-hydroxyquinoline (quo⁻) and 5-NO₂-8-hydroxyquinoline (5-NO₂-quo⁻) as analogs to the prototypical complex [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine). Electrochemistry, spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations were utilized to investigate the electronic tuning of the occupied t_2g-type orbitals of the metal center with variation in the ligation sphere. The maximum of the lowest energy absorption of complexes containing one, two and three 8-quinolate ligands progressively redshifts from 452 nm in [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ to 510 nm in [Ru(bpy)₂(quo)]⁺, 515 nm in [Ru(bpy)(quo)₂] and 540 nm in [Ru(quo)₃]⁻ in water. This bathochromic shift results from the increase in energy of the occupied t_2g-type orbital across the series afforded by coordination of each subsequent quo⁻ ligand to the Ru(II) center. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations along with electrochemical analysis reveals that the lowest energy transition has contributions in the highest occupied molecular orbital from both the quo⁻ ligand and the metal, such that the lowest energy transition is not from an orbital that is purely metal-centered in character as in [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺.     

Investigations on the Structure Diversity and Thermal Degradation Behavior of CdII and ZnII Thiocyanato Coordination Compounds based on 3‐Acetylpyridine as Neutral Co‐Ligand

Reaction of Cd^II and Zn^II thiocyanate with 3‐acetylpyridine leads to the formation of the new Cd^II and Zn^II coordination compounds [Cd(NCS)₂(3‐acetylpyridine)₄] ( 1A ), [Cd(NCS)₂(3‐acetylpyridine)₂]_n ( 1B ), [Cd(NCS)₂(3‐acetylpyridine)]_n ( 1C ) and [Zn(NCS)₂(3‐acetylpyridine)₂] ( 2A ). Compound 1A consists of discrete complexes, in which the metal centers are octahedrally coordinated by four terminal bonded N‐donor co‐ligands and two terminal N‐bonded thiocyanato anions. In compound 2A the metal centers are only tetrahedrally coordinated by two terminal bonded N‐donor co‐ligands and two terminal N‐bonded thiocyanato anions. In compound 1B the Cd^II cations are octahedrally coordinated by two terminal bonded N‐donor co‐ligands and four thiocyanato anions. The metal centers are linked by μ‐1, 3 bridging thiocyanato anions into chains. In compound 1C the metal cations are octahedrally coordinated by two μ‐1, 5 bridging 3‐acetyl‐pyridine ligands and four μ‐1, 3 bridging thiocyanato anions building up a three‐dimensional coordination network. Investigations on the thermal degradation behavior of all compounds using simultaneous differential thermoanalysis and thermogravimetry as well as X‐ray powder diffraction and IR spectroscopy prove that on heating compound 2A decompose without the formation of 3‐acetylpyridine‐deficient intermediates. In contrast, for compound 1A a stepwise decomposition is observed, leading to the formation of the 3‐acetylpyridine‐deficient compound [Cd(NCS)₂(3‐acetylpyridine)₂]_n ( 1B ) which decomposes on further heating     

Water Oxidation by In Situ Generated [RuII(OH2)(NCNHCO)(pic)2]+

A dinuclear ruthenium complex [Ru^II(NC^NHC O)(pic)₂]₂²⁺ ( 2 ) was firstly prepared and characterized spectroscopically and electrochemically. Instead of the conventional ligand exchange, complex 2 dissociates in situ to afford two single‐site Ru aqua complexes, [Ru^II(OH₂)(NC^NHC O)(pic)₂]⁺, which mediates water oxidation through proton‐coupled electron transfer events. In electrokinetic studies, complex 2 demonstrated a TOF of 150.3 s⁻¹ comparable to those state‐of‐the‐art catalysts at neutral conditions. TONs of 2173 and 217 were attained in chemical and photochemical water oxidation when 2 was used as a catalyst, exhibiting good stability. Notably, a TOF of 1.3 s⁻¹ was achieved at CAN‐driven water oxidation, which outperformed most of the reported single‐site Ru complexes, indicating that complex 2 is one of most active water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) to date. The unique coordination configuration and outstanding catalytic performance of complex 2 might shed light on the design of novel molecular WOCs.     

Divergent Coordination Chemistry: Parallel Synthesis of [2×2] Iron(II) Grid‐Complex Tauto‐Conformers

The coordination of iron(II) ions by a homoditopic ligand L with two tridentate chelates leads to the tautomerism‐driven emergence of complexity, with isomeric tetramers and trimers as the coordination products. The structures of the two dominant [Fe^II₄ L ₄]⁸⁺ complexes were determined by X‐ray diffraction, and the distinctness of the products was confirmed by ion‐mobility mass spectrometry. Moreover, these two isomers display contrasting magnetic properties (Fe^II spin crossover vs. a blocked Fe^II high‐spin state). These results demonstrate how the coordination of a metal ion to a ligand that can undergo tautomerization can increase, at a higher hierarchical level, complexity, here expressed by the formation of isomeric molecular assemblies with distinct physical properties. Such results are of importance for improving our understanding of the emergence of complexity in chemistry and biology.     

Influence of Central Metalloligand Geometry on Electronic Communication between Metals: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,MMCT Properties of Isomeric Cyanido‐Bridged Fe2Ru Complexes,and TDDFT Calculations

To investigate how the central metalloligand geometry influences distant or vicinal metal‐to‐metal charge‐transfer (MMCT) properties of polynuclear complexes, cis‐ and trans‐isomeric heterotrimetallic complexes, and their one‐ and two‐electron oxidation products, cis/trans‐ [Cp(dppe)Fe^IINCRu^II(phen)₂CN‐Fe^II(dppe)Cp][PF₆]₂ (cis/trans‐ 1 [PF₆]₂), cis/trans‐[Cp(dppe)Fe^IINCRu^II(phen)₂CNFe^III‐(dppe)Cp][PF₆]₃ (cis/trans‐ 1 [PF₆]₃) and cis/trans‐[Cp(dppe)Fe^IIINCRu^II(phen)₂CN‐Fe^III(dppe)Cp][PF₆]₄ (cis/trans‐ 1 [PF₆]₄) have been synthesized and characterized. Electrochemical measurements show the presence of electronic interactions between the two external Fe^II atoms of the cis‐ and trans‐isomeric complexes cis/trans‐ 1 [PF₆]₂. The electronic properties of all these complexes were studied and compared by spectroscopic techniques and TDDFT//DFT calculations. As expected, both mixed valence complexes cis/trans‐ 1 [PF₆]₃ exhibited different strong absorption signals in the NIR region, which should mainly be attributed to a transition from an MO that is delocalized over the Ru^II‐CN‐Fe^II subunit to a Fe^III d orbital with some contributions from the co‐ligands. Moreover, the NIR transition energy in trans‐ 1 [PF₆]₃ is lower than that in cis‐ 1 [PF₆]₃, which is related to the symmetry of their molecular orbitals on the basis of the molecular orbital analysis. Also, the electronic spectra of the two‐electron oxidized complexes show that trans‐ 1 [PF₆]₄ possesses lower vicinal Ru^II→Fe^III MMCT transition energy than cis‐ 1 [PF₆]₄. Moreover, the assignment of MMCT transition of the oxidized products and the differences of the electronic properties between the cis and trans complexes can be well rationalized using TDDFT//DFT calculations.     

Aspects of Aqueous Ruthenium(II) Chemistry

Since the first facile synthesis of [Ru(H₂O)₆](tos)₂ was published at the beginning of the eighties, several Ru^II aqueous inorganic and organometallic complexes were described, showing the increasing interest in this kind of compound due to potential applications in catalysis and medicine. To understand what governs the reactivity of the ligands in the first coordination sphere of the Ru^II center, we discuss its solution behavior, starting with the simplest aqueous species [Ru(H₂O)₆]²⁺ and moving progressively in complexity with selected examples. In addition, we present variable‐pressure measurements with two objectives: to determine activation volumes for mechanistic assignments, and to shift equilibria by increasing the solubility of gaseous molecules.     

An easy electrochemical procedure for tailoring thin films containing the [Fe(bpy)2(CH3CN)2] and/or [Fe(bpy)3]-like cores (bpy=2,2-bipyridine). Application to the design of a modified electrode with a supramolecular structure

A simple electrochemical procedure to tailor thin polymeric films containing the [Fe^II(bpy)₂(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ and/or [Fe^II(bpy)₃]²⁺-like cores have been described (bpy=2,2^′-bipyridine). The procedure is based on the electroreductive precipitation of soluble polymers prepared in situ in CH₃CN by mixing Fe³⁺ ions and a bis bipyridyl ligand, (chiragen: chir). In the resulting [Fe^II(chir)(CH₃CN)₂]_n²⁺ films, the two labile S ligands can be easily replaced by a bidentate ligand. This method has been applied with success to design a modified electrode with a supramolecular structure.     

Sulfur‐linked Phenolates as Ligands for the Syntheses of Low‐Nuclearity Iron(III) Complexes

Exploiting thiacalix 4 arene and sulfur‐bridged bisphenolates as ligands for bioinorganic studies involving iron(III) requires the prior development of synthetic routes (varying substituents and reaction conditions) to construct complexes with low nuclearities and accessible coordination sites, which was in the focus of this investigation. Treating p‐tert‐butylthiacalix 4 arene (H₄TC) and 1, 4‐dimethyl‐p‐tert‐butylthiacalix 4 arene (Me₂H₂TC) with Fe[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ yielded in the formation of the iron(III) complexes [(Me₃SiTC)₂Fe₂] ( 1 ) and [(Me₂TC)₃Fe₂] ( 3 ), respectively. While 1 is a sandwich compound, in 3 one [Me₂TC]^2– unit is bridging two [Me₂TCFe]⁺ moieties. Employing thiobisphenolates as ligands it turned out, that in dependence on the residues R and the preparation method it is possible to selectively access sandwich, anionic or neutral complexes, which were shown to contain central high‐spin iron(III) atoms. The syntheses, structures, and electronic properties of three iron(III) bisphenolate complexes, [^ClL₂Fe]NEt₃H ( 4 ), [^MeLFeCl₂]NEt₃H ( 5 ), and [^tBuLFeCl(thf)] ( 7 ) are discussed.     

Predictable Electronic Tuning By Choice of Azine Substituent in Five Iron(II) Triazoles: Redox Properties and DFT Calculations

Five new mononuclear iron(II) tris‐ligand complexes, and four solvatomorphs, have been made from the azine‐substituted 1,2,4‐triazole ligands ( L^azine ): [Fe^II( L^pyridazine )₃](BF₄)₂ ( 1 ), [Fe^II( L^pyrazine )₃](BF₄)₂ ( 2 ), [Fe^II( L^pyridine )₃](BF₄)₂ ( 3 ), [Fe^II( L^2pyrimidine )₃](BF₄)₂ ( 4 ), and [Fe^II( L^4pyrimidine )₃](BF₄)₂ ( 5 ). Single‐crystal XRD and solid‐state magnetometry reveal that all of them are low‐spin (LS) iron(II), except for solvatomorph 5 ?4 H₂O. Evans method NMR studies in CD₂Cl₂, (CD₃)₂CO and CD₃CN show that all are LS in these solvents, except 5 in CD₂Cl₂ (consistent with L^4pyrimidine imposing the weakest field). Cyclic voltammetry in CH₃CN vs. Ag/0.01 m AgNO₃ reveals an, at best quasi‐reversible, Fe^III/II redox process, with E_pa increasing from 0.69 to 0.99 V as the azine changes: pyridine< pyridazine<2‐pyrimidine<4‐pyrimidine< pyrazine. The observed E_pa values correlate linearly with the DFT calculated HOMO energies for the LS complexes.     

Boron Cluster Anions [BnHn]2– (n = 10, 12) in Reactions of Iron(II) and Iron(III) Complexation with 2, 2′‐Bipyridyl and 1, 10‐Phenanthroline

Complexation of Fe^II and Fe^III with azaheterocyclic ligands L (L = phen or bipy) were studied in the presence and in the absence of boron cluster anions [B_nH_n]^2– (n = 10, 12). The reactions were carried out in air at room temperature in organic solvents and/or water. In all the solvents used, well known [FeL₃]An (An = 2Cl^– or SO₄^2–) ferrous complexes were formed from Fe^II salts. Composition of ferric complexes with L ligands depends on the nature of solvent: either dinuclear oxo‐iron(III) chlorides [L₂ClFe^III–O–Fe^IIIL₂Cl]Cl₂ or ferric ferrates(III) [Fe^IIIL₂Cl₂][Fe^IIICl₄], or [Fe^IIIL₂Cl₂][Fe^IIICl₄L] were isolated from Fe^III salts. Introduction of the closo‐borate anions to a Fe³⁺(or Fe²⁺)/L/solv. mixture stabilizes ferrous cationic complexes [FeL₃]²⁺ in all the solvents used: only ferrous [FeL₃][B_nH_n] (n = 10, 12) complexes were isolated from all the reaction mixtures in the presence of boron cluster anions.     

The Coordination Chemistry of Iron with the 1,4‐Bis(2‐pyridyl‐methyl)piperazine Ligand

The behaviour of Fe^II and Fe^III ions in combination with the potential ligand 1,4‐bis(2‐pyridyl‐methyl)piperazine (BPMP) under anhydrous conditions has been investigated. BPMP has been reacted with FeCl₂, FeCl₃ and [Fe(OTf)₂(MeCN)₂]. This led to the isolation of four new complexes, which were fully characterized and structurally investigated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. It turned out that in the presence of chloride co‐ligands Fe^III favours the tetradentate coordination mode of BPMP with the piperazine unit in a boat configuration, like for instance in [BPMP(Cl)Fe(μ‐O)FeCl₃] or [BPMP‐FeCl₂][FeCl₄], ( 1 ). However, the employment of FeCl₂ leads to the formation of a coordination polymer [BPMP‐FeCl₂]_n, ( 2 ), containing the piperazine ring in a chair configuration binding to two iron centres each. 2 can only be dissolved in very polar solvents like dmf which is capable of breaking up the polymeric structure under formation of [Cl₂(dmf)Fe(μ‐BPMP‐1κ²N,N:2κ²N,N))Fe(dmf)Cl₂]·2 dmf, ( 3 ). In contrast, using [Fe(OTf)₂(MeCN)₂] instead of FeCl₂ as the starting material leads to a mononuclear Fe^II complex with BPMP bound in the desirable tetradentate fashion: [BPMP‐Fe(OTf)₂], ( 4 ). Unlike other complexes with tetradentate N/py ligands the two residual ligands in 4 are bound almost trans to each other with the potential to adopt a cis orientation under oxidising conditions, and it will be interesting to exploit its catalytic properties in future.     

Interfacial Impregnation Chemistry in the Synthesis of Cobalt Catalysts Supported on Titania

The interfacial chemistry of the impregnation step involved in the synthesis of cobalt catalysts supported on titania was investigated with regard to the mode of interfacial deposition of the aqua complex [Co(H₂O)₆]²⁺ on the “titania/electrolyte solution” interface, the structure of the inner‐sphere complexes formed, and their relative interfacial concentrations. Several methodologies based on the application of deposition experiments and electrochemical techniques were used in conjunction with diffuse‐reflectance spectroscopy and EPR spectroscopy. These suggested the formation of mononuclear/oligonuclear inner‐sphere complexes on deposition of the [Co(H₂O)₆]²⁺ ions at the “titania/electrolyte solution” interface. The joint application of semiempirical quantum‐mechanical calculations, stereochemical considerations, and modeling of the deposition data revealed the exact structure of these complexes and allowed their relative concentrations at various Co^II surface concentrations to be determined. It was found that the interface speciation depends on the Co^II surface concentration. Mononuclear complexes are formed at the compact layer of the “titania/electrolyte solution” interface for low and medium Co^II surface concentrations. Formation of mono‐hydrolyzed Ti₂O–TiO and the dihydrolyzed TiO–TiO disubstituted configurations is very probable. In the first configuration one water ligand of the [Co(H₂O)₆]²⁺ ion is substituted by a bridging surface oxygen atom and another by a terminal surface oxygen atom. In the second configuration two water ligands of the [Co(H₂O)₆]²⁺ ion are substituted by two terminal surface oxygen atoms. Binuclear and trinuclear inner‐sphere complexes are formed, in addition to the mononuclear ones, at relatively high Co^II surface concentrations.     

Metallomacrocycles with a Difference: Macrocyclic Complexes with Exocyclic Ruthenium(II)‐Containing Domains

The templated synthesis of organic macrocycles containing rings of up to 96 atoms and three 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) units is described. Starting with the bpy‐centred ligands 5,5′‐bis[3‐(1,4‐dioxahept‐6‐enylphenyl)]‐2,2′‐bipyridine and 5,5′‐bis[3‐(1,4,7‐trioxadec‐9‐enylphenyl)]‐2,2′‐bipyridine, we have applied Grubbs’ methodology to couple the terminal alkene units of the coordinated ligands in [FeL₃]²⁺ complexes. Hydrogenation and demetallation of the iron(II)‐containing macrocyclic complexes results in the isolation of large organic macrocycles. The latter bind {Ru(bpy)₂} units to give macrocyclic complexes with exocyclic ruthenium(II)‐containing domains. The complex [Ru(bpy)₂(L)]²⁺ (isolated as the hexafluorophosphate salt), in which L=5,5′‐bis[3‐(1,4,7,10‐tetraoxatridec‐12‐enylphenyl)]‐2,2′‐bipyridine, undergoes intramolecular ring‐closing metathesis to yield a macrocycle which retains the exocyclic {Ru(bpy)₂} unit. The poly(ethyleneoxy) domains in the latter macrocycle readily scavenge sodium ions, as proven by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and atomic absorption spectroscopy data for the bulk sample. In addition to the new compounds, a series of model complexes have been fully characterized, and representative single‐crystal X‐ray structural data are presented for iron(II) and ruthenium(II) acyclic and macrocyclic species.     

Solvent‐Free Ball‐Milling Subcomponent Synthesis of Metallosupramolecular Complexes

Subcomponent self‐assembly from components A , B , C , D , and Fe²⁺ under solvent‐free conditions by self‐sorting leads to the construction of three structurally different metallosupramolecular iron(II) complexes. Under carefully selected ball‐milling conditions, tetranuclear [Fe₄( AD ₂)₆]^4? 22‐component cage 1 , dinuclear [Fe₂( BD ₂)₃]^2? 11‐component helicate 2 , and 5‐component mononuclear [Fe( CD ₃)]²⁺ complex 3 were prepared simultaneously in a one‐pot reaction from 38 components. Through subcomponent substitution reaction by adding subcomponent B , the [Fe₄( AD ₂)₆]^4? cage converts quantitatively to the [Fe₂( BD ₂)₃]^2? helicate, which, in turn, upon addition of subcomponent C , transforms to [Fe( CD ₃)]²⁺, following the hierarchical preference based on the thermodynamic stability of the complexes.     

Three Novel Mixed‐ligand Cadmium(II) Sulfonates with Aza‐aromatic Skeltons as Co‐ligands

To survey the influence of aza‐aromatic co‐ligands on the structure of Cadmium(II) sulfonates, three Cd(II) complexes with mixed‐ligand, [Cd^II(ANS)₂(phen)₂] ( 1 ), [Cd^II(ANS)₂(2,2′‐bipy)₂] ( 2 ) and [Cd^II(ANS)₂(4,4′‐bipy)₂]_n ( 3 ) (ANS = 2‐aminonaphthalene‐1‐sulfonate; phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline; 2,2′‐bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 4,4′‐bipy = 4,4′‐bipyridine) were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Of the three complexes, ANS consistently coordinates to Cd²⁺ ion as a monodentate ligand. While phen in 1 and 2,2′‐bipy in 2 act as N,N‐bidentate chelating ligands, leading to the formation of a discrete mononuclear unit; 4,4′‐bipy in 3 bridges two Cd^II atoms in bis‐monodentate fashion to produce a 2‐D layered network, suggesting that the conjugate skeleton and the binding site of the co‐ligands have a moderate effect on molecular structure, crystal stacking pattern, and intramolecular weak interactions. In addition, the three complexes exhibit similar luminescent emissions originate from the transitions between the energy levels of sulfonate anions.     

Ketimido Metallophthalocyanines: An Approach to Phthalocyanine‐Supported Mononuclear High‐Valent Ruthenium Complexes

A “metal–ketimine+ArI(OR)₂” approach has been developed for preparing metal–ketimido complexes, and ketimido ligands are found to stabilize high‐valent metallophthalocyanine (M? Pc) complexes such as ruthenium(IV) phthalocyanines. Treatment of bis(ketimine) ruthenium(II) phthalocyanines [Ru^II(Pc)(HN?CPh₂)₂] ( 1a ) and [Ru^II(Pc)(HNQu)₂] ( 1b ; HNQu=N‐phenyl‐1,4‐benzoquinonediimine) with PhI(OAc)₂ affords bis(ketimido) ruthenium(IV) phthalocyanines [Ru^IV(Pc)(N?CPh₂)₂] ( 2a ) and [Ru^IV(Pc)(NQu)₂] ( 2b ), respectively. X‐ray crystal structures of 1b and [Ru^II(Pc)(PhN?CHPh)₂] ( 1c ) show Ru? N(ketimine) distances of 2.075(4) and 2.115(3) Å, respectively. Complexes 2a , 2b readily revert to 1a , 1b upon treatment with phenols. ¹H NMR spectroscopy reveals that 2a , 2b are diamagnetic and 2b exists as two isomers, consistent with a proposed eclipsed orientation of the ketimido ligands in these ruthenium(IV) complexes. The reaction of 1a , 1b with PhI(OAc)₂ to afford 2a , 2b suggests the utility of ArI(OR)₂ as an oxidative deprotonation agent for the generation of high‐valent metal complexes featuring M? N bonds with multiple bonding characters. DFT and time‐dependent (TD)‐DFT calculations have been performed on the electronic structures and the UV/Vis absorption spectra of 1b and 2b , which provide support for the diamagnetic nature of 2b and reveal a significant barrier for rotation of the ketimido group about the Ru? N(ketimido) bond.     

Duplex‐Selective Ruthenium‐Based DNA Intercalators

We report the design and synthesis of small molecules that exhibit enhanced luminescence in the presence of duplex rather than single‐stranded DNA. The local environment presented by a well‐known [Ru(dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine)L₂]²⁺‐based DNA intercalator was modified by functionalizing the bipyridine ligands with esters and carboxylic acids. By systematically varying the number and charge of the pendant groups, it was determined that decreasing the electrostatic interaction between the intercalator and the anionic DNA backbone reduced single‐strand interactions and translated to better duplex specificity. In studying this class of complexes, a single Ru^II complex emerged that selectively luminesces in the presence of duplex DNA with little to no background from interacting with single‐stranded DNA. This complex shows promise as a new dye capable of selectively staining double‐ versus single‐stranded DNA in gel electrophoresis, which cannot be done with conventional SYBR dyes.     

Catalytic Water Oxidation by Ruthenium(II) Quaterpyridine (qpy) Complexes: Evidence for Ruthenium(III) qpy‐N,N′′′‐dioxide as the Real Catalysts

Polypyridyl and related ligands have been widely used for the development of water oxidation catalysts. Supposedly these ligands are oxidation‐resistant and can stabilize high‐oxidation‐state intermediates. In this work a series of ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(qpy)(L)₂]²⁺ (qpy=2,2′:6′,2′′:6′′,2′′′‐quaterpyridine; L=substituted pyridine) have been synthesized and found to catalyze Ce^IV‐driven water oxidation, with turnover numbers of up to 2100. However, these ruthenium complexes are found to function only as precatalysts; first, they have to be oxidized to the qpy‐N,N′′′‐dioxide (ONNO) complexes [Ru(ONNO)(L)₂]³⁺ which are the real catalysts for water oxidation.     

Tuning the Electronic Properties in Ruthenium–Quinone Complexes through Metal Coordination and Substitution at the Bridge

A rare example of a mononuclear complex [(bpy)₂Ru(L¹_?H)](ClO₄), 1 (ClO₄) and dinuclear complexes [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐L¹_?2H)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂, 2 (ClO₄)₂, [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐L²_?2H)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂, 3 (ClO₄)₂, and [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐L³_?2H)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂, 4 (ClO₄)₂ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, L¹=2,5‐di‐(isopropyl‐amino)‐1,4‐benzoquinone, L²=2,5‐di‐(benzyl‐amino)‐1,4‐benzoquinone, and L³=2,5‐di‐[2,4,6‐(trimethyl)‐anilino]‐1,4‐benzoquinone) with the symmetrically substituted p‐quinone ligands, L, are reported. Bond‐length analysis within the potentially bridging ligands in both the mono‐ and dinuclear complexes shows a localization of bonds, and binding to the metal centers through a phenolate‐type “O^?” and an immine/imminium‐type neutral “N” donor. For the mononuclear complex 1 (ClO₄), this facilitates strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding and leads to the imminium‐type character of the noncoordinated nitrogen atom. The dinuclear complexes display two oxidation and several reduction steps in acetonitrile solutions. In contrast, the mononuclear complex 1 ⁺ exhibits just one oxidation and several reduction steps. The redox processes of 1 ¹⁺ are strongly dependent on the solvent. The one‐electron oxidized forms 2 ³⁺, 3 ³⁺, and 4 ³⁺ of the dinuclear complexes exhibit strong absorptions in the NIR region. Weak NIR absorption bands are observed for the one‐electron reduced forms of all complexes. A combination of structural data, electrochemistry, UV/Vis/NIR/EPR spectroelectrochemistry, and DFT calculations is used to elucidate the electronic structures of the complexes. Our DFT results indicate that the electronic natures of the various redox states of the complexes in vacuum differ greatly from those in a solvent continuum. We show here the tuning possibilities that arise upon substituting [O] for the isoelectronic [NR] groups in such quinone ligands.     

Octacyanidorhenate(V) Ion as an Efficient Linker for Hysteretic Two‐Step Iron(II) Spin Crossover Switchable by Temperature,Light, and Pressure

A two‐step hysteretic Fe^II spin crossover (SCO) effect was achieved in programmed layered Cs{[Fe(3‐CNpy)₂][Re(CN)₈]}?H₂O ( 1 ) (3‐CNpy=3‐cyanopyridine) assembly consisting of cyanido‐bridged Fe^II‐Re^V square grid sheets bonded by Cs⁺ ions. The presence of two non‐equivalent Fe^II sites and the conjunction of 2D bimetallic coordination network with non‐covalent interlayer interactions involving Cs⁺, [Re^V(CN)₈]^3? ions, and 3‐CNpy ligands, leads to the occurrence of two steps of thermal SCO with strong cooperativity giving a double thermal hysteresis loop. The resulting spin‐transition phenomenon could be tuned by an external pressure giving the room‐temperature range of SCO, as well as by visible‐light irradiation, inducing an efficient recovery of the high‐spin Fe^II state at low temperatures. We prove that octacyanidorhenate(V) ion is an outstanding metalloligand for induction of a cooperative multistep, multiswitchable Fe^II SCO effect.