Contemporary progresses on neutral, highly emissive Os(II) and Ru(II) complexes

This tutorial review highlights recent and current advances in Os(II) and Ru(II) based luminescent complexes in view of their potential in providing models for photophysical properties and in serving as active materials in optoelectronic devices. It starts with a discussion of the fundamentals of pyridyl azolate chromophores and presents several prototypical designs that allow subtle variation of their basic properties. The third section of this article concerns the preparation of Os(II) and Ru(II) metal complexes and discusses the key factors that control their phosphorescence efficiencies and peak wavelengths. Attention is focused on the properties of their lowest lying excited states. In the last section, we present a series of related Os(II) complexes possessing pyridyl azolate, cyclometalated benzo[h]quinoline, beta-diketonates and quinolinates to demonstrate the power of fundamental basis to chemistry and theoretical approaches in rationalizing the corresponding photophysical behavior and hence to discuss the implications regarding their possible routes for future research.     

Conformational control of excited-state dynamics in highly distorted Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes

Tris(bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) complexes modified such that one of the bipyridines is appended with a crown ether display luminescence that is responsive to complexation with metal ions. The parent species, Ru(bpy)3(2+), is moderately luminescent, with an emission lifetime of about 1 micros in fluid solution at room temperature. The modified complexes are much less emissive, with lifetimes near 1 ns. Conformational flexibility and distortion in the crown-ether complexes enhance nonradiative decay. Noncovalent binding of metal ions, however, restores luminescence intensity by reducing nonradiative decay and increasing the lifetime 10- to 100-fold. Reported here are the syntheses and steady-state and time-resolved luminescence measurements in addition to other supporting spectroscopic characterization. Seven metals were investigated; significant luminescence enhancements occur in the presence of Mg2+, Ca2+, and Pb2+. Effective concentrations of metal ions range from tens of microM to hundreds of mM. The steady-state enhancements are readily measured, but they are less than would be expected from the lifetime changes, partly because only a portion (not more than 50%) of the fast (1 ns) decay in Ru(bpy)2(bpy-crown) is capable of converting to the conformation possessing the longer lifetime. A photophysical model is proposed to explain these and other observations.     

Development of a heterobimetallic Ru(II)-Cu(II) complex for highly selective and sensitive luminescence sensing of sulfide anions

A heterobimetallic ruthenium(II)-copper(II) complex-based luminescent chemosensor, [Ru(bpy)(2)(bpy-DPA)Cu](4+) (bpy: 2,2'-bipyridine; bpy-DAP: 4-methyl-4'-[N,N-bis(2-picolyl)amino-methylene]-2,2'-bipydine), has been designed and synthesized for the highly selective and sensitive recognition and detection of sulfide anions in 100% aqueous solutions. Owing to the high affinity of sulfide to Cu(II), the non-luminescent chemosensor can specifically and rapidly react with sulfide to yield the corresponding ruthenium(II) complex, [Ru(bpy)(2)(bpy-DPA)](2+), accompanied by the remarkable luminescence enhancement. The dose-dependent luminescence enhancement of the sensor shows a good linearity with a detection limit of 20.7 nM for sulfide anions. The novel luminescence sensor has a widely available pH range from 4.5 to 10 and an excellent response selectivity to sulfide only even in the presence of various other anions. Based on this chemosensor, a rapid, selective and sensitive luminescence method for the detection of sulfide anions in wastewater samples was established. The coefficient variations (CVs) of the method are less than 3.1%, and the recoveries are in the range of 90.9-108.5%.     

Quenching of the long-lived Ru(II)bathophenanthroline luminescence for the detection of supramolecular interactions

A feasibility study based on tailor-made peptide sequences for a new robust luminescence probe-system using the long-lived luminescence of a Ru(II)-bathophenanthroline complex in combination with an efficient anthraquinone-type quencher is presented. Due do their high chemical stability, both dyes can be introduced during solid-phase peptide synthesis avoiding post-synthetic labelling. Photophysical measurements revealed an intense quenching of the luminescence of the Ru-complex (65-68%) which was also confirmed by calculations resulting from decay time measurements. The long-lived luminescence allows for a time-gated detection scheme, which can reduce any luminescence contribution from matrix components.     

Rapid and highly sensitive dual-channel detection of cyanide by bis-heteroleptic ruthenium(II) complexes

Two new ruthenium complexes [Ru(bipy)(2)(PDA)](2+) (1) and [Ru(phen)(2)(PDA)](2+) (2) (PDA = 1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-dicarboxaldehyde) have been synthesized to detect cyanide based on the well-known formation of cyanohydrins. Both 1[PF(6)](2) and 2[PF(6)](2) were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and their solid state structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Their anion binding properties in pure and aqueous acetonitrile were thoroughly examined using two different channels, i.e., UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL). After addition of only 2 equiv of CN(-), the PL intensity of 1[PF(6)](2) and 2[PF(6)](2) was enhanced ～55-fold within 15 s along with a diagnostic blue shift of the emission by more than 100 nm. PL titrations of 1[PF(6)](2) and 2[PF(6)](2) with CN(-) in CH(3)CN furnished the very high overall cyanohydrin formation constants log β([CN(-)]) = 15.36 ± 0.44 (β([CN(-)]) = 2.3 × 10(15) M(-2)) and log β([CN(-)]) = 16.37 ± 0.53 (β([CN(-)]) = 2.3 × 10(16) M(-2)), respectively. For both probes, the second constant, K(2), is about 57-84 times less than K(1), suggesting that the cyanohydrin reaction is stepwise. The stepwise mechanism is further supported by results of a (1)H NMR titration of 2[PF(6)](2) with CN(-). The high selectivity of 2[PF(6)](2) for CN(-) was established by PL in the presence of other competing anions. Furthermore, the color change from orange-red to yellow and the appearance of a orange luminescence, which can be observed by the naked eye, provides a simple real-time method for cyanide detection. Finally, theoretical calculations were carried out to elucidate the details of the electronic structure and transitions involved in the ruthenium probes and their cyanide adducts.     

Electrochemiluminescent peptide nucleic acid-like monomers containing Ru(II)-dipyridoquinoxaline and Ru(II)-dipyridophenazine complexes

A series of Ru(II)-peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-like monomers, [Ru(bpy)(2)(dpq-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M1), [Ru(phen)(2)(dpq-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M2), [Ru(bpy)(2)(dppz-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M3), and [Ru(phen)(2)(dppz-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M4) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dpq-L-PNA-OH = 2-(N-(2-(((9H-fluoren-9-yl)methoxy)carbonylamino)ethyl)-6-(dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine-11-carboxamido)hexanamido)acetic acid, dppz-L-PNA-OH = 2-(N-(2-(((9H-fluoren-9-yl) methoxy)carbonylamino)ethyl)-6-(dipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline-2-carboxamido)acetic acid) have been synthesized and characterized by IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. As is typical for Ru(II)-tris(diimine) complexes, acetonitrile solutions of these complexes (M1-M4) show MLCT transitions in the 443-455 nm region and emission maxima at 618, 613, 658, and 660 nm, respectively, upon photoexcitation at 450 nm. Changes in the ligand environment around the Ru(II) center are reflected in the luminescence and electrochemical response obtained from these monomers. The emission intensity and quantum yield for M1 and M2 were found to be higher than for M3 and M4. Electrochemical studies in acetonitrile show the Ru(II)-PNA monomers to undergo a one-electron redox process associated with Ru(II) to Ru(III) oxidation. A positive shift was observed in the reversible redox potentials for M1-M4 (962, 951, 936, and 938 mV, respectively, vs Fc(0/+) (Fc = ferrocene)) in comparison with [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (888 mV vs Fc(0/+)). The ability of the Ru(II)-PNA monomers to generate electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was assessed in acetonitrile solutions containing tripropylamine (TPA) as a coreactant. Intense ECL signals were observed with emission maxima for M1-M4 at 622, 616, 673, and 675 nm, respectively. At an applied potential sufficiently positive to oxidize the ruthenium center, the integrated intensity for ECL from the PNA monomers was found to vary in the order M1 (62%) > M3 (60%) > M4 (46%) > M2 (44%) with respect to [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (100%). These findings indicate that such Ru(II)-PNA bioconjugates could be investigated as multimodal labels for biosensing applications.     

Intramolecular dealkylation of chelating diamines with Ru(II) complexes

N,N, N',N'-Tetraethylethylenediamine undergoes simple or double intramolecular dealkylation reactions in the presence of the complexes [RuCl2(diene)]n (diene = cod, nbd) or trans-[RuCl2(diene)(morfoline)2 at 80 degrees C to afford chelating amine ligands which contains one or two N-H functionalities.     

The electronic structure and spectra of Ru(II) and Ru(III) complexes with imidazole and its derivatives

The calculations of the electronic structure and spectra of [Ru(NH3)5L]2+ (L = imidazole, histidine) and [Ru(NH3)5L]3+ (L = imidazole, N-imidazolate anion, 4-methylimidazole, 4-methyl-1N-imidazolate anion and 1N-bound histidine) complexes are performed in the framework of the CI method in the INDO/CNDO approximation. The MO diagram is obtained. The assignment of all transitions with energies of 4-5 eV is made and the nature of corresponding excited states is discussed. For the Ru(II) complexes, the lower energy observable transition is assigned to d-->pi* type, whereas the higher energy one is assigned to pi-->pi* type. In the spectra of the Ru(III) complexes with charged ligands both transitions are of pi-->d character, while in the case of uncharged ligands, the higher energy transition mostly incorporates pi-->pi* excitations.     

Derivatization of bichromic cyclometalated Ru(II) complexes with hydrophobic substituents

The syntheses and physical properties of cyclometalated Ru(II) complexes containing a triphenylamine (TPA) unit bearing aliphatic groups are reported. Each member of the series consists of an octahedral Ru(II) center coordinated by a tridentate polypyridyl ligand and a tridentate cyclometalating ligand. One of the chelating ligands contains electron-deficient methyl ester groups, while a TPA unit is attached to the central ring of the adjacent chelating ligand through a thiophene bridge. This study builds on our previous work (Inorg. Chem. 2011, 50, 6019-6028; Inorg. Chem. 2011, 50, 5494-5508) by (i) outlining a synthetic protocol for installing aliphatic groups on the TPA substituents, (ii) examining the role that terminal -O-hexyl and -S-hexyl groups situated on the TPA have on the electrochemical properties, and (iii) demonstrating the potential benefit of installing the TPA on the neutral chelating ligand rather than the anionic chelating ligand. The results reported herein provide important synthetic advances for our broader goal of developing bis-tridentate cyclometalated Ru(II) complexes for light-harvesting applications.     

Structure and redox behavior of Ru(II)-diene complexes

A series of Ru(acac)₂(η⁴-diene) complexes containing cis- and trans-diene coordination have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry to correlate structural bonding and conformation patterns of diene ligands with redox behaviors. The solid-state structure of Ru(acac)₂(2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene) has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Ru(acac)₂(2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 12.368(2) Å, b = 17.0600(2) Å, c = 16.0110(2) Å, β = 98.4405(10)° and V = 3341.38(10) ų for Z = 8. A structural comparison between several Ru-trans-η⁴-diene complexes and Ru-η⁴-1,3-cyclohexadiene revealed no difference in the Ru-C(diene) bond distances. However, through cyclic voltammetry experiments these species demonstrated different redox behavior, as function of the coordinated diene ligand.     

Synthesis of monomeric Fe(II) and Ru(II) complexes of tetradentate phosphines

rac-Bis[{(diphenylphosphino)ethyl}-phenylphosphino]methane (DPPEPM) reacts with iron(II) and ruthenium(II) halides to generate complexes with folded DPPEPM coordination. The paramagnetic, five-coordinate Fe(DPPEPM)Cl(2) (1) in CD(2)Cl(2) features a tridentate binding mode as established by (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy. Crystal structure analysis of the analogous bromo complex, Fe(DPPEPM)Br(2) (2) revealed a pseudo-octahedral, cis-α geometry at iron with DPPEPM coordinated in a tetradentate fashion. However, in CD(2)Cl(2) solution, the coordination of DPPEPM in 2 is similar to that of 1 in that one of the external phosphorus atoms is dissociated resulting in a mixture of three tridentate complexes. The chloro ruthenium complex cis-Ru(κ(4)-DPPEPM)Cl(2) (3) is obtained from rac-DPPEPM and either [RuCl(2)(COD)](2) [COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene] or RuCl(2)(PPh(3))(4). The structure of 3 in both the solid state and in CD(2)Cl(2) solution features a folded κ(4)-DPPEPM. This binding mode was also observed in cis-[Fe(κ(4)-DPPEPM)(CH(3)CN)(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(2) (4). Addition of an excess of CO to a methanolic solution of 1 results in the replacement of one of the chloride ions by CO to yield cis-[Fe(κ(4)-DPPEPM)Cl(CO)](Cl) (5). The same reaction in CH(2)Cl(2) produces a mixture of 5 and [Fe(κ(3)-DPPEPM)Cl(2)(CO)] (6) in which one of the internal phosphines has been substituted by CO. Complexes 2, 3, 4, and 5 appear to be the first structurally characterized monometallic complexes of κ(4)-DPPEPM.     

Redox and spectroscopic orbitals in Ru(II) and Os(II) phenolate complexes

A detailed spectroscopic and electrochemical study of a series of novel phenolate bound complexes, of general formulas [M(L-L)(2)(box)](PF(6)), where M is Os and Ru, L-L is 2,2-bipyridine or 2,2-biquinoline, and box is 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole, is presented. The objectives of this study were to probe the origin of the LUMOs and HOMOs in these complexes, to elucidate the impact of metal and counter ligand on the electronic properties of the complex, and to identify the extent of orbital mixing in comparison with considerably more frequently studied quinoid complexes. [M(L-L)(2)(box)](PF(6)) complexes exhibit a rich electronic spectroscopy extending into the near infrared region and good photostability, making them potentially useful as solar sensitizers. Electrochemistry and spectroscopy indicate that the first oxidation is metal based and is associated with the M(II)/(III) redox states. A second oxidative wave, which is irreversible at slow scan rates, is associated with the phenolate ligand. The stabilities of the oxidized complexes are assessed using dynamic electrochemistry and discussed from the perspective of metal and counter ligand (LL) identity and follow the order of increasing stability [Ru(biq)(2)(box)](+) < [Ru(bpy)(2)(box)](+) < [Os(bpy)(2)(box)](+). Electronic and resonance Raman spectroscopy indicate that the lowest energy optical transition for the ruthenium complexes is a phenolate (pi) to L-L (pi) interligand charge-transfer transition (ILCT) suggesting the HOMO is phenolate based whereas electrochemical data suggest that the HOMO is metal based. This unusual lack of correlation between redox and spectroscopically assigned orbitals is discussed in terms of metal-ligand orbital mixing which appears to be most significant in the biquinoline based complex.     

Theoretical insights and design of Ru(II)-based complexes with DNA-photocleavage properties

A theoretical research on the properties of Ru(II)-based complexes 1–5 with polypyridyl ligands damaging DNA with the help of light has been carried out. Firstly, the redox potential, electrons-transfer (ET) activation energy, and intra-molecular reorganization energy were computed using DFT (density functional theory), and the results can be used to explain the DNA-photocleavage efficiencies of complexes. Secondly, the effect of ligands on the reduction potentials of complexes in the excited state was elucidated, and the reason of complexes cleaving DNA by the oxidation-reduction reaction and the produced singlet oxygen was explained. Finally, the frontier orbitals of complexes were computed, which was used to qualitatively explain the reason of complexes with high reduction potentials in the excited state.     

Phosphaallyl complexes of Ru(II) derived from dicyclohexylvinylphosphine (DCVP)

The complexes [(eta5-RC5H4)Ru(CH3CN)3]PF6(R = H, CH3) react with DCVP (DCVP = Cy2PCH=CH2) at room temperature to produce the phosphaallyl complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(eta1-DCVP)(eta3-DCVP)]PF6 and [(eta5-MeC5H4)Ru(eta1-DCVP)(eta3-DCVP)]PF6. Both compounds react with a variety of two-electron donor ligands displacing the coordinated vinyl moiety. In contrast, we failed to prepare the phosphaallyl complexes [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(eta1-DCVP)(eta3-DCVP)]PF6, [(eta5-MeC5H4)Ru(CO)(eta3-DCVP)]PF6 and [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(CO)(eta3-DPVP)]PF6(DPVP = Ph2PCH=CH2).The compounds [(eta5-MeC5H4)Ru(CO)(CH3CN)(DPVP)]PF6 and [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(CO)(CH3CN)(DPVP)]PF6 react with DMPP (3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylphosphole) to undergo [4 + 2] Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions at elevated temperature. Attempts at ruthenium catalyzed hydration of phenylacetylene produced neither acetophenone nor phenylacetaldehyde but rather dimers and trimers of phenylacetylene. The structures of the complexes described herein have been deduced from elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, 1H, 13C{1H}, 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy and in several cases by X-ray crystallography.     

Bi-1,10-phenanthrolines and their mononuclear Ru(II) complexes

A series of four biphen (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) ligands, 2,2'-biphen (1), 3,3'-biphen (2), 2,2'-dimethylene-3,3'-biphen (3), and 2,3'-dimethylene-3,2'-biphen (4), is prepared by coupling and Friedl?nder methodology. The corresponding mononuclear Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(1-4)(Mebpy)(2)](2+) where Mebpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, are prepared. These complexes show long wavelength electronic absorptions at 441-452 nm and emissions at 622-641 nm. Metal-based oxidations occur in the range 1.18-1.21 V, and ligand-based reductions, at -1.20 to -1.30 V. The addition of Zn(2+), Cd(2+), or Hg(2+) ions results in a strong enhancement and red shift of the luminescence of complex Ru-3. Alkali and alkaline earth metal ions barely affect the luminescence of Ru-3 while transition metal ions such as Co(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), and Mn(2+) lead to efficient quenching of the Ru-3 luminescence. The luminescence of Ru-2 and Ru-4 is quenched in the presence of Zn(2+) because of a conformationally induced reduction in electronic communication between the two phen halves of the ligand. The addition of Zn(2+) has only a slight effect on the luminescence of Ru-1 because of steric hindrance toward complexation.     

Spanning pairs of Rh2(acetate)4 units with Ru(II) complexes

A synthetic route to linear pairs of Rh2 "paddlewheel" dimers bridged by Ru(II) complexes is presented. A bis(4'-(4-carboxyphenyl)-terpyridine)Ru(II) complex spans two Rh2 dimers and displays a 26 A separation between the dimers. Increased electronic interaction is found for the dimer of dimers without the phenyl groups using bis(4'-(4-carboxy)-terpyridine)Ru(II) as the bridging complex.     

Experimental and theoretical characterization of Ru(II) complexes with polypyridine and phosphine ligands

The synthesis and the experimental and theoretical characterization of ruthenium hydride complexes containing phosphorus and polypyridine ligands [RuH(CO)(N-N)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ with N-N = dppz 1, dppz-CH₃2 (2.1 isomer), dppz-Cl 3 (3.1 isomer), ppl 4, and 2,2′-biquinoline 5, (where dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine), are presented. ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR-FT, UV-Vis and elemental analysis are used to characterize the complexes. Optimized molecular geometries in the gas phase at the B3LYP/LACVP(d,p) level showed a distorted octahedral structure for ruthenium, the phosphine ligands are localized in a trans position, while the polypyridine ligand, which in all the cases is planar except in 5, adopt a trans position relative to the carbon monoxide and hydride ligands. The theoretical absorption spectra (one hundred excited states) were calculated for the seven complexes by the time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) in the gas phase. They predicted very well the UV-Vis spectra. It was possible to identify the character of each electronic transition and the fragments of the complexes involved in it. Theoretical evidence of the substituent effect in the polypyridine ligand and of the ligand effect (dppz, biq, ppl) was found, displayed mainly in the longer wavelength band. The theoretical results showed that the properties of these complexes can be tuned with changes localized in the polypyridine ligand covalently bonded to ruthenium.     

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.     

Photoinduced energy- and electron-transfer processes in dinuclear Ru(II)-Os(II), Ru(II)-Os(III), and Ru(III)-Os(II) trisbipyridine complexes containing a shape-persistent macrocyclic spacer.

The PF6- salt of the dinuclear [(bpy)2Ru(1)Os(bpy)2]4+ complex, where 1 is a phenylacetylene macrocycle which incorporates two 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) chelating units in opposite sites of its shape-persistent structure, was prepared. In acetonitrile solution, the Ru- and Os-based units display their characteristic absorption spectra and electrochemical properties as in the parent homodinuclear compounds. The luminescence spectrum, however, shows that the emission band of the Ru(II) unit is almost completely quenched with concomitant sensitization of the emission of the Os(II) unit. Electronic energy transfer from the Ru(II) to the Os(II) unit takes place by two distinct processes (k(en) = 2.0x10(8) and 2.2x10(7) s(-1) at 298 K). Oxidation of the Os(II) unit of [(bpy)2Ru(1)Os(bpy)2]4+ by Ce(IV) or nitric acid leads quantitatively to the [(bpy)2Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+ complex which exhibits a bpy-to-Os(III) charge-transfer band at 720 nm (epsilon(max) = 250 M(-1) cm(-1)). Light excitation of the Ru(II) unit of [(bpy)2Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+ is followed by electron transfer from the Ru(II) to the Os(III) unit (k(el,f) = 1.6x10(8) and 2.7x10(7) s(-1)), resulting in the transient formation of the [(bpy)2Ru(III)(1)Os(II)(bpy)2]5+ complex. The latter species relaxes to the [(bpy)2Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+ one by back electron transfer (k(el,b) = 9.1x10(7) and 1.2x10(7) s(-1)). The biexponential decays of the [(bpy)2*Ru(II)(1)Os(II)(bpy)2]4+, [(bpy)2*Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+, and [(bpy)2Ru(III)(1)Os(II)(bpy)2]5+ species are related to the presence of two conformers, as expected because of the steric hindrance between hydrogen atoms of the pyridine and phenyl rings. Comparison of the results obtained with those previously reported for other Ru-Os polypyridine complexes shows that the macrocyclic ligand 1 is a relatively poor conducting bridge.     

New organometallic Ru(II) and Fe(II) complexes with tetrathia-[7]-helicene derivative ligands

A series of organometallic complexes possessing new tetrathia-[7]-helicene nitrile derivative ligands [TH-7] as chromophores, of general formula [MCp(P–P)(NC{TH-[7]-Y}Z)][PF₆] (M = Ru, Fe, P–P = DPPE, Y = H, NO₂, Z = H, C≡N; M = Ru, L–L = 2PPh₃, Y = H, Z = H) has been synthesized and fully characterized. ¹H NMR, FT-IR and UV–Vis. spectroscopic data were analyzed with in order to evaluate the existence of electronic delocalization from the metal centre to the coordinated ligand to have some insight on the potentialities of these new compounds as non-linear optical molecular materials. Slow crystallization of compound [RuCp(PPh₃)₂(NC{TH-[7]-H}H)][PF₆] 2Ru revealed an interesting isomerization of the helical ligand with formation of two carbon-carbon bonds between the two terminal thiophenes, leading to the total closure of the helix (2*Ru).