The multichromophore approach: prolonged room-temperature luminescence lifetimes in Ru(II) complexes based on tridentate polypyridine ligands

A new family of ruthenium(II) complexes with multichromophoric properties was prepared based on a "chemistry-on-the-complex" synthetic approach. The new compounds are based on tridentate chelating sites (tpy-type ligands, tpy=2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) and most of them carry appended anthryl chromophores. Complexes 2 a and 2 b were synthesized through the Pd-catalyzed Suzuki coupling reaction between 9-anthrylboronic acid and the chloro ligands on the presursor species 1 a and 1 b, respectively. The monocoupling product 2 c was also synthesized as the starting complex for a dimetallic complex under optimized Suzuki coupling conditions. The palladium(0)-catalyzed homocoupling reaction on complexes 1 a and 2 c led to dimetallic Ru(II) species 2 d and 2 e, respectively. The solid structures of complexes 2 a and 2 b were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The absorption spectra, redox behavior, luminescence properties (both at room temperature and at 77 K), and transient absorption spectra and decays of 2 a-e were investigated. The absorption spectra of all new species are dominated by ligand-centered (LC) bands in the UV region and metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands in the visible region. The new compounds undergo reversible metal-centered oxidation processes and several ligand-centered reduction processes, which have been assigned to specific sites. The complexes exhibit luminescence both at room temperature in fluid solution and at 77 K in rigid matrices; the emission was attributed to (3)MLCT states at room temperature and to the lowest-lying anthracene triplet ((3)An) at low temperature, except for 2 c, which does not contain any anthryl chromophore and whose low temperature emission is also of MLCT origin. The luminescence lifetimes of complexes 2 a-d showed that multichromophoric behavior occurs in these species, allowing the luminescence lifetime of the Ru(II)-based chromophores to be prolonged to the microsecond timescale, with the anthryl groups behaving as energy-storage elements for the repopulation of the (3)MLCT state. Nanosecond transient-absorption spectroscopy confirmed the equilibration process between the triplet MLCT and An levels at room temperature. Thermodynamic and kinetic factors governing the equilibration time and the lifetime of the equilibrated excited state are discussed.     

Tuning photophysical properties with ancillary ligands in Ru(II) mono-diimine complexes

The series of complexes [XRu(CO)(L-L)(L′)₂][PF₆] (X = H, TFA, Cl; L-L = 2,2′-bipyridyl, 1,10-phenanthroline, 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline and 4,4′-dicarboxylic-2,2′-bipyridyl; L′₂ = 2PPh₃, Ph₂PC₂H₄PPh_2, Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂) have been synthesized from the starting complex K[Ru(CO)₃(TFA)₃] (TFA = CF₃CO₂) by first reacting with the phosphine ligand, followed by reaction with the L-L and anion exchange with NaPF₆. In the case of L-L = phenanthroline and L′₂ = 2PPh₃, the neutral complex Ru(Ph₃P)(CO)(1,10-phenanthroline)(TFA)₂ is also obtained and its solid state structure is reported. Solid state structures are also reported for the cationic complexes where L-L = phenanthroline, L₂ = 2PPh₃ and X = Cl and for L-L = 2,2′-bipyridyl, L₂ = 2PPh₃ and X = H. All the complexes were characterized in solution by a combination of ¹H and ³¹P NMR, IR, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. The purpose of the project was to synthesize a series of complexes that exhibit a range of excited-state lifetimes and that have large Stokes shifts, high quantum yields and high intrinsic polarizations associated with their metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) emissions. To a large degree these goals have been realized in that excited-state lifetimes in the range of 100 ns to over 1 μs are observed. The lifetimes are sensitive to both solvent and the presence of oxygen. The measured quantum yields and intrinsic anisotropies are higher than for previously reported Ru(II) complexes. Interestingly, the neutral complex with one phosphine ligand shows no MLCT emission. Under the conditions of synthesis some of the initially formed complexes with X = TFA are converted to the corresponding hydrides or in the presence of chlorinated solvents to the corresponding chlorides, testifying to the lability of the TFA Ligand. The compounds show multiple reduction potentials which are chemically and electrochemically reversible in a few cases as examined by cyclic voltammetry. The relationships between the observed photophysical properties of the complexes and the nature of the ligands on the Ru(II) is discussed.     

Application of new Ru (II) pyridine-based complexes in the partial oxidation of n-octane

Tridentate and bidentate Ru (II) complexes were prepared through reaction of four pyridine-based ligands: pyCH₂N(R)CH₂py {R = propyl, tert-butyl, cyclohexyl and phenyl; py = pyridine} with the [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ dimer. Crystal structures of the new terdentate Ru (II) complexes [Ru{pyCH₂N(R)CH₂py}C₆H₆](PF₆)₂ (R = C₃H₇ ( 1 ), C (CH₃)₃ ( 2 ), C₆H₁₁ ( 3 ) and the bidentate Ru (II) complex [Ru{pyCH₂N(R)}C₆H₆]PF₆ (R = C₆H₅ ( 4 )) are reported. It was found that complexes 1, 2 , 3 and 4 crystallised as mono-metallic species, with a piano stool geometry around each Ru centre. All complexes were active in the selective oxidation of n-octane using t-BuOOH and H₂O₂ as oxidants. Complexes 2 and 4 reached a product yield of 12% with t-BuOOH as oxidant, however, superior yields (23–32%) were achieved using H₂O₂ over all systems. The selectivity was predominantly towards alcohols (particularly 2-octanol) over all complexes using t-BuOOH and H₂O₂ after reduction of the formed alkylhydroperoxides in solution by PPh₃. High TONs of up to 2400 were achieved over the Ru/H₂O₂ systems.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes incorporating tridentate Schiff base ligands: synthesis,spectroscopic, redox,catalytic and biological properties

A series of new diamagnetic ruthenium(II) complexes of the type [RuCl(CO)(B)(L)] (where B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py; L = monobasic tridentate Schiff base ligands derived from o‐aminophenol or o‐aminothiophenol with ethylacetoacetate or ethylbenzoylacetate) have been synthesized and these complexes were characterized by physico‐chemical and spectroscopic methods. Cyclic voltammograms of all the complexes show quasi‐reversible oxidation in the range 0.24–1.05 V and the quasi‐reversible reduction in the range ? 0.14 to ? 0.51 V. The observed redox potentials show little variation with respect to the replacement of triphenyl phosphine/arsine by pyridine. The complexes were tested as catalysts in the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols using molecular oxygen at room temperature and also in C? C coupling reactions. Further, the antibacterial properties of the free ligands and their metal complexes were evaluated against certain bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy-level tailoring in a series of redox-rich quinonoid-bridged diruthenium complexes containing tris2-pyridylmethyl)amine as a co-ligand

Reactions of [{Ru(tmpa)}₂(μ‐Cl)₂][ClO₄]₂, ( 2 [ClO₄]₂, tmpa=tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine) with 2,5‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐benzoquinone ( L¹ ), 2,5‐di‐[2,6‐(dimethyl)‐anilino]‐1,4‐benzoquinone ( L² ), or 2,5‐di‐[2,4,6‐(trimethyl)‐anilino)]‐1,4‐benzoquinone ( L³ ) in the presence of a base led to the formation of the dinuclear complexes [{Ru(tmpa)}₂(μ‐ L¹ _{?2 H})][ClO₄]₂ ( 3 [ClO₄]₂), [{Ru(tmpa)}₂(μ‐ L² _{?2 H})][ClO₄]₂ ( 4 [ClO₄]₂), and [{Ru(tmpa)}₂(μ‐ L³ _{?2 H})][ClO₄]₂ ( 5 [ClO₄]₂). Structural characterization of 5 [ClO₄]₂ showed the localization of the double bonds within the quinonoid ring and a twisting of the mesityl substituents with respect to the quinonoid plane. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes show two reversible oxidation and quinonoid‐based reduction processes. Results obtained from UV/Vis/NIR and EPR spectroelectrochemistry are invoked to discuss ruthenium‐ versus quinonoid‐ligand‐centered redox activity. The complex 3 [ClO₄]₂ is compared to the reported complex [{Ru(bpy)}₂(μ‐ L¹ _{?2 H})]²⁺ ( 1²⁺ , bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine). The effects of substituting the bidentate and better π‐accepting bpy co‐ligands with tetradentate tmpa ligands [pure σ‐donating (amine) as well as σ‐donating and π‐accepting (pyridines)] on the redox and electronic properties of the complexes are discussed. Comparisons are also made between complexes containing the dianionic forms of the all‐oxygen‐donating L¹ ligand with the L² and L³ ligands containing an [O,N,O,N] donor set. The one‐electron oxidized forms of the complexes show absorption in the NIR region. The position as well as the intensity of this band can be tuned by the substituents on the quinonoid bridge. In addition, this band can be switched on and off by using tunable redox potentials, making such systems attractive candidates for NIR electrochromism.     

Photophysical and electrochemical properties of Ru(II) complexes containing tridentate bisphosphino-oligothiophene ligands

Nine Ru(II) complexes containing the conjugated oligothiophene ligands 3,3'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-2,2':5',2'-terthiophene (P(2)T(3)) and 4',3'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-3,3'-dihexyl- 2,2':5',2':5',2':5',2'-pentathiophene (P(2)T(5)) were prepared and characterized. P(2)T(3) and P(2)T(5) bond as tridentate ligands and three of the complexes (1, 2 and 5) form green five-coordinate Ru(II) complexes in solution. Cyclic voltammetry, variable temperature UV-vis spectroscopy and time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy were used to characterize the electronic properties of the complexes. Increased conjugation in the complexes containing the P(2)T(5) ligand resulted in a lowering of the oxidation potential of the oligothiophene, but electropolymerization was not observed. The electronic spectra were dominated by π-π* transitions. All of the complexes were non-emissive both at room temperature and low temperature, indicating the excited state decays by other, non-radiative pathways. The transient absorption spectrum of complex 7 shows a species with a band at 475 nm and a lifetime of ～100 ns, assigned to a ligand-based triplet state.     

Exogenous bridging and nonbridging in Cu(II) complexes of Mannich base ligands: Synthesis and physical properties

Preparation of pentadentate ligands L¹, L², L³ and L⁴, where L¹ = 4-chloro-3-methyl-2[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]-6-[N-phenyl piperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenol, L² = 4-ethyl-2-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]-6-[(N-phenyl piperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenol, L³ = 4-chloro-3-methyl-2-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]-6-[N-methyl piperazin-1-yl]methyl phenol, L⁴ = 4-methoxy-2-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]-6-[(N-phenyl piperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenol is described together with that of the corresponding Cu(II) complexes with various bridging motifs like OH, OAc and NO₂. The complexes are characterized by elemental analysis, electrochemical and electron paramagnetic spectral studies. Redox properties of the complexes in acetonitrile are highly quasireversible due to the chemical or/and stereochemical changes subsequent to electron transfer. The complexes show resolved copper hyperfine EPR at room temperature, indicating the presence of weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the copper atoms. Strengths of the antiferromagnetic interactions are in the order NO₂>OAc>OH.     

C60Ru(OCOCF3)(CO)(PPh3)配合物的合成及性能

富勒烯;钌配合物;循环伏安法;C60Ru(OCOCF3)(CO)(PPh3)配合物的合成及性能     

Ruthenium complexes of easily accessible tridentate ligands based on the 2-aryl-4,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine motif: absorption spectra, luminescence properties, and redox behavior

A family of tridendate ligands 1 a-e, based on the 2-aryl-4,6-di(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine motif, was prepared along with their hetero- and homoleptic Ru(II) complexes 2 a-e ([Ru(tpy)(1 a-e)](2+); tpy=2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) and 3 a-e ([(Ru(1 a-e)(2)](2+)), respectively. The ligands and their complexes were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, ES-MS, and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of 2 a and 2 e demonstrated that the triazine core is nearly coplanar with the non-coordinating ring, with dihedral angles of 1.2 and 18.6 degrees, respectively. The redox behavior and electronic absorption and luminescence properties (both at room temperature in liquid acetonitrile and at 77 K in butyronitrile rigid matrix) were investigated. Each species undergoes one oxidation process centered on the metal ion, and several (three for 2 a-e and four for 3 a-e) reduction processes centered on the ligand orbitals. All compounds exhibit intense absorption bands in the UV region, assigned to spin-allowed ligand-centered (LC) transitions, and moderately intense spin-allowed metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption bands in the visible region. The compounds exhibit relatively intense emissions, originating from triplet MLCT levels, both at 77 K and at room temperature. The incorporation of triazine rings and the near planarity of the noncoordinating ring increase the luminescence lifetimes of the complexes by lowering the energy of the (3)MLCT state and creating a large energy gap to the dd state.     

New Ru(II)–dmso complexes with heterocyclic hydrazone ligands towards cancer chemotherapy

The synthesis and characterization of ruthenium(II) complexes, [RuCl₂(dmso)₂(bfmh)] (1; dmso = dimethyl sulfoxide, bfmh = benzoic acid furan-2-ylmethylene-hydrazide), [RuCl₂(dmso)₂(btmh)](2; btmh = benzoic acid thiophen-2-ylmethylene-hydrazide), [RuCl₂(dmso)₂(bfeh)](3; bfeh = benzoic acid (1-furan-2-yl-ethylidene)-hydrazide) and [RuCl₂(dmso)₂(bpeh)](4; bpeh = benzoic acid (1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)-hydrazide) are described. The ligands, when treated with either cis-[RuCl₂(dmso)₄] or trans(Cl)–[RuCl₂(dmso)₂(bpy)], resulted in the same products. This has been confirmed by IR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The redox behaviors of the complexes have been found to be strongly dependent on the electronic nature of the moieties present in the hydrazone ligands. The binding of the complexes to Herring sperm DNA has been studied by absorption titration and cyclic voltammetry. But, due to the random change in the absorption on the addition of DNA, only a qualitative result rather than a quantitative result has been obtained. All the complexes have been found to bind DNA through different modes to different extents. The antibacterial properties of the ligands and the complexes have been studied against five pathogenic bacteria and also the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of all the ligands and complexes 2 and 4 have been evaluated.     

Atropisomeric discrimination in new Ru(II) complexes containing the C(2)-symmetric didentate chiral phenyl-1,2-bisoxazolinic ligand

A new family of Ru(II) complexes containing the tridentate meridional 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (trpy) ligand, a C(2)-symmetric didentate chiral oxazolinic ligand 1,2-bis[4'-alkyl-4',5'-dihydro-2'-oxazolyl]benzene (Phbox-R, R = Et or iPr), and a monodentate ligand, of general formula [Ru(Y)(trpy)(Phbox-R)](n+) (Y = Cl, H(2)O, py, MeCN, or 2-OH-py (2-hydroxypyridine)) have been prepared and thoroughly characterized. In the solid state the complexes have been characterized by IR spectroscopy and by X-ray diffraction analysis in two cases. In solution, UV/Vis, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy techniques have been used. We have also performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations with these complexes to interpret and complement experimental results. The oxazolinic ligand Phbox-R exhibits free rotation along the phenyloxazoline axes. Upon coordination this rotation is restricted by an energy barrier of 26.0 kcal mol(-1) for the case of [Ru(trpy)(Phbox-iPr)(MeCN)](2+) thus preventing its potential interconversion. Furthermore due to steric effects the two atropisomers differ in energy by 5.7 kcal mol(-1) and as a consequence only one of them is obtained in the synthesis. Subtle but important structural effects occur upon changing the monodentate ligands that are detected by NMR spectroscopy in solution and interpreted by using their calculated DFT structures.     

Half‐sandwich Ru (II) complexes containing (N,O) Schiff base ligands: Catalysts for base‐free transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Two new half‐sandwich Ru (II)(p‐cymene) complexes ( 1 and 2 ) containing dopamine‐based (N, O) Schiff base ligands ( L ¹ H and L ² H ) were synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR, UV–Visible and ¹H & ¹³C NMR spectral techniques, and elemental analyses. The spectroscopic and analytical data revealed monobasic bidentate coordination of the ligands with Ru ion. The molecular structures of L ¹ H , L ² H and 2 were further confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. Complexes 1 and 2  have been employed as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones using 2‐propanol as a hydrogen source at 85 °C under base‐free condition. Good to the excellent yield of secondary alcohols, gram scale synthesis, and high TON and TOF made this catalytic system interesting.     

Copper(II) complexes of tridentate SNO ligands: synthesis,characterization and crystal structure

A new series of binary copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L)₂] (2) [where L is a monobasic tridentate methylthioazophenolate having NSO donor sets], has been synthesized. The reddish brown colored complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic and other physico-chemical tools. The detailed structure analysis of one of the complexes, [Cu(1a)₂] (2a), by single-crystal X-ray crystallography shows that thioether-S donor center participates in coordination with the copper(II) ion with a weak interaction with long Cu–S(thioether) bond distances [2.956(2) Å and 2.925(2) Å]. Electrochemical study of the complexes in methanol using TBAP as supporting electrolyte shows that heterogeneous electron-transfer rate is low at the applied potential.     

A strategy for improving the room-temperature luminescence properties of Ru(II) complexes with tridentate ligands

Several ruthenium(II) complexes with new tridentate polypyridine ligands have been prepared, and their photophysical properties have been studied. The new tridentate ligands are tpy-modified systems (tpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) in which aromatic substituents designed to be coplanar with the tpy moiety are introduced, with the aim of enhancing delocalization in the acceptor ligand of the potentially luminescent metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) state and increasing the MLCT-MC energy gap (MC = metal-centered excited state). Indeed, the Ru(II) complexes obtained with this new family of tridentate ligands exhibit long-lived luminescence at room temperature (up to 200 ns). The enhanced luminescence properties of these complexes support this design strategy and are superior to those of the model Ru(tpy)22+ compound and compare favorably with those of the best Ru(II) complexes with tridentate ligands reported so far.     

Novel cyclohexyl‐based aminophosphine ligands and use of their Ru(II) complexes in transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Two new aminophosphines – furfuryl‐(N‐dicyclohexylphosphino)amine, [Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃O] ( 1 ) and thiophene‐(N‐dicyclohexylphosphino)amine, [Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃S] ( 2 ) – were prepared by the reaction of chlorodicyclohexylphosphine with furfurylamine and thiophene‐2‐methylamine. Reaction of the aminophosphines with [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)(μ‐Cl)Cl]₂ or [Ru(η⁶‐benzene)(μ‐Cl)Cl]₂ gave corresponding complexes [Ru(Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃O)(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Cl₂] ( 1a ), [Ru(Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃O)(η⁶‐benzene)Cl₂] ( 1b ), [Ru(Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃S)(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Cl₂] ( 2a ) and [Ru(Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃S)(η⁶‐benzene)Cl₂] ( 2b ), respectively, which are suitable catalyst precursors for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones. In particular, [Ru(Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃S)(η⁶‐benzene)Cl₂] acts as a good catalyst, giving the corresponding alcohols in 98–99% yield in 30 min at 82 °C (up to time of flight ≤ 588 h^?1). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.