Intramolecular energy-transfer processes in a bis(porphyrin)-ruthenium(II) bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) molecular array

A molecular triad has been synthesized comprising two free-base porphyrin terminals linked to a central ruthenium(II) bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) subunit via meso-phenylene groups. Illumination into the ruthenium(II) complex is accompanied by rapid intramolecular energy transfer from the metal-to-ligand, charge-transfer (MLCT) triplet to the lowest-energy pi-pi* triplet state localized on one of the porphyrin subunits. Transfer takes place from a vibrationally excited level which lowers the activation energy. The electronic coupling matrix element for this process is 73 cm(-1). Selective illumination into the lowest-energy singlet excited state (S1) localized on the porphyrin leads to fast singlet-triplet energy transfer that populates the MLCT triplet state with high efficiency. This latter process occurs via Dexter-type electron exchange at room temperature, but the activation energy is high and the reaction is prohibited at low temperature. For this latter process, the electronic coupling matrix element is only 8 cm(-1).     

Competition between energy transfer and interligand electron transfer in porphyrin-osmium(II) bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) dyads

Rapid intramolecular energy transfer occurs from a free-base porphyrin to an attached osmium(II) bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) complex, most likely by way of the F?rster dipole-dipole mechanism. The initially formed metal-to-ligand, charge-transfer (MLCT) excited-singlet state localized on the metal complex undergoes very fast intersystem crossing to form the corresponding triplet excited state ((3)MLCT). This latter species transfers excitation energy to the (3)pi,pi* triplet state associated with the porphyrin moiety, such that the overall effect is to catalyze intersystem crossing for the porphyrin. Interligand electron transfer (ILET) to the distal terpyridine ligand, for which there is no driving force, competes poorly with triplet energy transfer from the proximal (3)MLCT to the porphyrin. Equipping the distal ligand with an ethynylene residue provides the necessary driving force for ILET and this process now competes effectively with triplet energy transfer to the porphyrin. The rate constants for all the relevant processes have been derived from laser flash photolysis studies.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Electrocatalytic properties of guanine, adenine, guanosine-5'-monophosphate, and ssDNA by Fe(II) bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyridine), Fe(II) tris(1,10-phenanthroline), and poly-Fe(II) tris(5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline)

The electrocatalytic oxidations of guanine, adenine, guanosine-5'-monophosphate(GMP) and ssDNA were performed in the presence of Fe(II) bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) and Fe(II) tris(1,10-phenanthroline) complexes as homogeneous catalysts by cyclic voltammetric methods. The Fe(II/III) redox couple of these compounds is responsible for their catalytic properties. The electrocatalytic oxidation current of above substrates were developed from the anodic peak currents of Fe(II) bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) and Fe(II) tris(1,10-phenanthroline) complexes at about +0.93 V and 0.97 V, respectively. The electrocatalytic oxidative properties of guanine by Fe(II) bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) complex was measured by amperometry method using the rotating disk electrodes. Electropolymerization of Fe(II) tris(5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline) complex produced thin polymer films on gold and glassy carbon electrodes. The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and cyclic voltammetry were used to study the in situ growth of the polymer. The poly(FeII(5-NH(2)-1,10-phen)(3)) exhibited a good electrocatalytic oxidation towards guanine and also for the mixture of guanine and adenine too.     

Comparison of the photophysical properties of osmium(II) bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) and the corresponding ethynylated derivative

The photophysical properties of osmium(II) bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) have been recorded over a wide temperature range. An emission band is observed and attributed to radiative decay of the lowest-energy metal-to-ligand, charge-transfer (MLCT) triplet state. This triplet is coupled to two other triplet states that lie at higher energy. The second triplet, believed to be of MLCT character, is reached by crossing a barrier of only 640 cm(-1), but the highest-energy triplet, considered to be of metal-centered (MC) character, is separated from the lowest-energy MLCT triplet by a barrier of 3500 cm(-1). Analysis of the emission spectrum shows that both low- and high-frequency modes are involved in the decay process, while weak emission is seen from the second excited triplet state. The magnitude of the low- and high-frequency modes depends on temperature in fluid solution but not in a KBr disk. Apart from a substantial lowering of the triplet energy, the photophysical properties are relatively insensitive to the presence of an ethynylene substituent at the 4' position of each terpyridine ligand. However, the barrier to reaching the MC triplet is markedly reduced, and the vibrational modes become less sensitive to changes in temperature.     

Electron donor-acceptor dyads based on ruthenium(II) bipyridine and terpyridine complexes bound to naphthalenediimide

Two series of photosensitizer-electron acceptor complexes have been synthesized and fully characterized: ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine) ([Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(bpy-X-NDI)], where X = -CH(2)-, tolylene, or phenylene, bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, and NDI is naphthalenediimide) and ruthenium(II) bis(terpyridine) ([Ru(II)(Y-tpy)(tpy-X-NDI)], where Y = H or tolyl and X = tolylene or phenylene, and tpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine). The complexes have been studied by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry and by steady state and time-resolved absorption and emission techniques. Rates for forward and backward electron transfer have been investigated, following photoexcitation of the ruthenium(II) polypyridine moiety. The terpyridine complexes were only marginally affected by the linked diimide unit, and no electron transfer was observed. In the bipyridine complexes we achieved efficient charge separation. For the complexes containing a phenyl link between the ruthenium(II) and diimide moieties, our results suggest a biphasic forward electron-transfer reaction, in which 20% of the charge-separated state was formed via population of the naphthalenediimide triplet state.     

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.     

Electrochemical probing of ground state electronic interactions in polynuclear complexes of a new heteroditopic ligand

The synthesis and electronic properties of dinuclear ([(bipy)2Ru(I)M(terpy)][PF6]4(bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine, terpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine; M = Ru, Os)) and trinuclear ([[(bipy)2Ru(I)]2M][PF6]6 M = Ru, Os, Fe, Co) complexes bridged by 4'-(2,2'-bipyridin-4-yl)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (I) have been investigated and are compared with those of mononuclear model complexes. The electrochemical analysis using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry reveals that there are no interactions in the ground state between adjacent metal centres. However, there is strong electronic communication between the 2,2'-bipyridine and 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine components of the bridging ligand. This conclusion is supported by a step-by-step reduction of the dinuclear and trinuclear complexes and the assignment of each electrochemical process to localised ligand sites within the didentate and terdentate domains. The investigation of the electronic absorption and emission spectra reveals an energy transfer in the excited state from the terminating bipy-bound metal centres to the central terpy-bound metal centre. This indicates that the bridge is able to facilitate energy transfer in the excited state between the metal centres despite the lack of interactions in the ground state.     

Controlling Electronic Communication in Ethynylated-Polypyridine Metal Complexes

By introduction of a naphthalene subunit in the middle of a butadiynylene spacer the triplet lifetime of the ruthenium chromophore in RR is prolongated to 475 ns. By increasing laser intensities the two Ru-terpy terminals are simultaneously promoted to the triplet state, and triplet - triplet annihilation occurs. In contrast, in the mixed Ru/Os complex (RO) the long inherent triplet lifetime of the Os-terpy fragment facilitates reverse triplet energy transfer. terpy=bis(2,2':6',2"-terpyridine).     

Photoinduced energy transfer coupled to charge separation in a Ru(II)-Ru(II)-acceptor triad

The bichromophoric system Ru-Ru(C)-PI ([(bpy)3Ru-Ph-Ru(dpb)(Metpy-PI)][PF6]3, where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, Hdpb is 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)-benzene, Metpy is 4'-methyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine and PI is pyromellitimide) containing two Ru(II) polypyridyl chromophores with a N6 and a N5C ligand set, respectively, was synthesized and characterized. Its photophysical properties were investigated and compared to those of the monochromophoric cyclometalated complexes Ru(C)-PI ([Ru(dpb)(Metpy-PI)][PF6]), Ru(C)-phi-PI ([Ru(dpb)(ttpy-PI)][PF6], ttpy is 4'-p-tolyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine), Ru(C)-phi ([Ru(dpb)(ttpy)][PF6]), and Ru(C) ([Ru(dpb)(Metpy)][PF6]). Excitation of the Ru(C) unit in the dyads leads to oxidative quenching, forming the Ru(C)(III)-phi-PI*- and Ru(C)(III)-Pl.- charge-separated (CS) states with k(f)(ET) = 7.7 x 10(7) s(-1) (CH3CN, 298 K) in the tolyl-linked Ru(C)-phi-PI and k(f)(ET) = 4.4 x 10(9) s(-1) (CH2Cl2, 298 K) in the methylene-linked Ru(C)-PI. In the Ru-Ru(C)-PI triad, excitation of the Ru(C) chromophore leads to dynamics similar to those in the Ru(C)-PI dyad, generating the Ru(II)-Ru(C)(III)-PI*- CS state, whereas excitation of the Ru unit results in an initial energy transfer (k(EnT) = 4.7 x 10(11) s(-1)) to the cyclometalated Ru(C) unit. Subsequent electron transfer to the PI acceptor results in the formation of the same Ru(II)-Ru(C)(III)-PI*- CS state with k(f)(ET) = 5.6 x 10(9) s(-1) that undergoes rapid recombination with k(b)(ET) = 1 x 10(10) s(-1) (CH2Cl2, 298 K). The fate of the Ru(II)-Ru(C)(III)-PI*- CS state upon a second photoexcitation was studied by pump-pump-probe experiments in an attempt to detect the fully charge-separated Ru(III)-Ru(C)(II)-PI*- state.     

Metal-directed synthesis and photophysical studies of trinuclear v-shaped and pentanuclear x-shaped ruthenium and osmium metallorods and metallostars based upon 4'-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine divergent units

A new series of V-shaped trinuclear metallorods and X-shaped pentanuclear metallostars has been prepared by the reaction of metal complexes bearing pendant phenolic functionalities with complexes containing electrophilic ligands. Specifically, {M(tpy)2} motifs (M=Ru or Os; tpy=2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) bearing one or two pendant 3,5-dihydroxyphenyl substituents at the 4-position of the central ring of the tpy have been reacted with the complexes [Ru(tpy)(Xtpy)]2+ (X=Cl or Br) to form new ether-linked species. The energy transfer from ruthenium to osmium in these complexes has been investigated in detail and the efficiency of transfer shown to be highly temperature dependent; the energy transfer is highly efficient at low temperature, whereas at room temperature nonradiative and nontransfer deactivation of the excited {Ru(tpy)2}* domains is most significant.     

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.     

Self-assembled light-harvesting systems: Ru(II) complexes assembled about Rh-Rh cores

Ru(II) polypyridine species have been assembled about dirhodium(II, II) tetracarboxylate cores. The complexes prepared have general formulas [{(terpy)Ru(La)}n{Rh2(CH3COO)4-n(CH3CN)2}]2n+ (a-type compounds: terpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine; La = 4'-(p-carboxyphenyl)-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine; n = 1, 1a; n = 2, cis-2a and trans-2a-cis and trans refer to the arrangement of the Ru(II) species around the dirhodium core; n = 3, 3a), [{(Lb)Ru(La)}n{Rh2(CH3COO)4-n(CH3CN)2}]2n+ (b-type compounds: Lb = 6-phenyl-2,4-di(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine; n = 1, 1b; n = 2, an inseparable mixture of cis-2b and trans-2b; n = 3, 3b; n = 4, 4b), and [{(terpy)Ru(Lc)}{Rh2(CH3COO)3(CH3CN)2}]2+ (1c; Lc = 6-(p-carboxyphenyl)-2,4-di(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine). As model species, also the mononuclear [(terpy)Ru(La)]2+ (5a), [(La)Ru(Lb)]2+ (5b), and [(terpy)Ru(Lc)]2+ (5c) have been prepared. All of the complexes have been characterized by several techniques, including NMR and mass spectra, and the stability of the various species is discussed. The absorption spectra of all of the compounds are dominated by the Ru(II) polypyridine moieties, showing intense ligand-centered (LC) bands in the UV region and intense metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands in the visible. The compounds exhibit several metal-centered oxidation and ligand-centered reduction processes, which have been assigned to specific subunits. Both absorption and redox data indicate a supramolecular nature of the assembled systems. Efficient energy transfer from the MLCT triplet state of the Ru-based components to the lowest-energy excited state of the dirhodium core takes place for the a-type compounds at 298 K in acetonitrile solution, whereas such a process is inefficient for the b-type and c-type species, which exhibit the typical MLCT emission. At 77 K in butyronitrile matrix, Ru-to-Rh2 energy transfer is partly efficient for both the a-type and the b-type compounds and is inefficient for 1c. The reasons for such behavior are discussed by taking into account arguments concerning the driving force and reorganization energy of the complexes.     

Mono- and dinuclear ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) polypyridine complexes built around spiro-bridged bis(phenanthroline) ligands: synthesis, electrochemistry, and photophysics

Two new dyads have been synthesized in which terminal Ru(II) and Os(II) polypyridine complexes are separated by sterically constrained spiro bridges. The photophysical properties of the corresponding mononuclear complexes indicate the importance of the decay of the lowest-energy triplet states localized on the metallo fragments through the higher-energy metal-centered excited states. This effect is minimized at 77 K, where triplet lifetimes are relatively long, and for the Os(II)-based systems relative to their Ru(II)-based counterparts. Intramolecular triplet energy transfer takes place from the Ru(II)-based fragment to the appended Os(II)-based unit, the rate constant being dependent on the molecular structure and on temperature. In all cases, the experimental rate constant matches surprisingly well with the rate constant calculated for F?rster-type dipole-dipole energy transfer. As such, the disparate rates shown by the two compounds can be attributed to stereochemical factors. It is further concluded that the spiro bridging unit does not favor through-bond electron exchange interactions, a situation confirmed by cyclic voltammetry.     

Rapid energy transfer in bichromophoric tris-bipyridyl/cyclometallated ruthenium(II) complexes

The synthesis, characterization, and photophysical properties of the N6-N5C bichromophoric [(bpy)2Ru(I)Ru(ttpy)][PF6]3 (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine and ttpy is 4'-p-tolyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) and [(bpy)2Ru(II)Ru(ttpy)][PF6]3 (I and II are bpy-dipyridylbenzene ditopic ligands bridged by an ethynyl and phenyl unit, respectively) complexes are reported together with the model mononuclear complexes [(bpy)2Ru(I)][PF6]2, [(bpy)2Ru(II)][PF6]2, [Ru(VI)(ttpy)][PF6] (VI is 3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-biphenyl) and [Ru(dpb)(ttpy)][PF(6)] (Hdpb is 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)-benzene). The electrochemical data show that there is little ground state electronic communication between the metal centers in the bimetallic complexes. Selective excitation of the N(5)C unit in the bichromophoric systems leads to luminescence typical for a bis-tridentate cyclometallated ruthenium complex and is similar to the [Ru(VI)(ttpy)][PF6] model complex. In contrast, the luminescence from the tris-bidentate N6 unit is efficiently quenched by energy transfer to the N5C unit. The energy transfer rate has been determined by femtosecond pump-probe measurements to 0.7 ps in the ethynyl-linked [(bpy)2Ru(I)Ru(ttpy)][PF6]3 and to 1.5 ps in the phenyl-linked [(bpy)2Ru(II)Ru(ttpy)][PF6]3 (in acetonitrile solution at 298 K), and is inferred to occur via a Dexter mechanism.     

Synthesis and redox behavior of biferrocenyl-functionalized ruthenium(II) terpyridine gold clusters

Spectroscopic and electrochemical characterizations of ferrocene- and biferrocene-functionalized terpyridine octanethiolate monolayer-protected clusters were investigated and reported. The electrochemical measurements of Ru2+ coordinated with 4'-ferrocenyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine and 4'-biferrocenyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine complexes were dominated by the Ru2+/Ru3+ redox couple (E(1/2) at approximately 1.3 V), Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) redox couples (E(1/2) from approximately 0.6 to approximately 0.9 V), and terpy/terpy-/terpy2- redox couples (E(1/)(2) at ca. -1.2 and ca. -1.4 V). The substantial appreciable variations detected in the Ru2+/Ru3+ and Fe2+/Fe3+ oxidation potentials indicate that there is an interaction between the Ru2+ and Fe2+ metal centers. The coordination of the Ru2+ metal center with 4'-ferrocenyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine and 4'-biferrocenyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine leads to an intense 1[(d(pi)Fe)6] --> 1[d(pi)Fe)5(pi*terpyRu)1] transition in the visible region. The 1[(d(pi)Fe)6] -->1[d(pi)Fe)5(pi*terpyRu)1] transition observed at approximately 510 nm revealed that there was a qualitative electronic coupling between metal centers. The coordination of the Ru2+ transition metal center lowers the energy of the pi*terpy orbitals, causing this transition.