Photoinduced electron transfer across oligo-p-phenylene bridges. Distance and conformational effects in Ru(II)-Rh(III) dyads

A series of rodlike ruthenium(II)-rhodium(III) polypyridine dyads based on modular oligo-p-phenylene bridges, of the general formula [(Me2phen)2Ru-bpy-(ph)n-bpy-Rh(Me2bpy)]5+ (Me2phen=4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline; bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; ph=1,4-phenylene; n=1-3), have been synthesized and their photophysical properties investigated. The dyad [(Me2bpy)2Ru-bpy-(ph)3'-bpy-Rh(Me2bpy)]5+ with the central phenylene unit bearing two hexyl chains has also been studied. The metal-to-metal distance reaches 24 A for the longest (n=3) spacer in the series. For all of the dyads in a room-temperature CH3CN solution, quenching of the typical metal-to-ligand charge-transfer luminescence of the Ru-based chromophoric unit is observed, indicating that an efficient intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer from the excited Ru moiety to the Rh-based unit takes place. The rate constants for the electron-transfer process have been determined by time-resolved emission and absorption spectroscopy in the nanosecond and picosecond time scale. An exponential dependence of experimental transfer rates on the bridge length is observed, consistent with a superexchange mechanism. An attenuation factor beta of 0.65 A(-1) is determined, in line with the behavior of other systems containing oligo-p-phenylene spacers. Interestingly, for n=3, the presence/absence of hexyl substituents in the central p-phenylene ring causes a 10-fold difference in the rates between otherwise identical dyads. This comparison highlights the importance of the twist angle between adjacent spacers on the overall through-bond donor-acceptor coupling.     

Fused donor-acceptor ligands in RuII chemistry: synthesis, electrochemistry and spectroscopy of [Ru(bpy)3-n(TTF-dppz)n](PF6)2.

Three ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes of general formula [Ru(bpy)(3-n)(TTF-dppz)n](PF6)2 (n=1-3, bpy=2,2'-bipyridine), with one, two or three redox-active TTF-dppz (4',5'-bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvenyl[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) ligands, were synthesised and fully characterised. Their electrochemical and photophysical properties are reported together with those of the reference compounds [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2, [Ru(dppz)3](PF6)2 and [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)](PF6)2 and the free TTF-dppz ligand. All three complexes show intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) fluorescence of the TTF-dppz ligand. Remarkably, the complex with n=1 exhibits luminescence from the Ru(2+)-->dppz metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ((3)MLCT) state, whereas for the other two complexes, a radiationless pathway via electron transfer from a second TTF-dppz ligand quenches the (3)MLCT luminescence. The TTF fragments as electron donors thus induce a ligand-to-ligand charge-separated (LLCS) state of the form TTF-dppz- -Ru(2+)-dppz-TTF(+). The lifetime of this LLCS state is approximately 2.3 micros, which is four orders of magnitude longer than that of 0.4 ns for the ILCT state, because recombination of charges on two different ligands is substantially slower.     

Luminescent ruthenium(II) polypyridine biotin complexes: synthesis, characterization, photophysical and electrochemical properties, and avidin-binding studies

Two luminescent ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes containing a biotin moiety [Ru(bpy)(2)(L1)](PF(6))(2) (1) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(L2)](PF(6))(2) (2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; L1 = 4-(N-((2-biotinamido)ethyl)amido)-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine; L2 = 4-(N-((6-biotinamido)hexyl)amido)-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized, and their photophysical and electrochemical properties have been studied. Upon photoexcitation, complexes 1 and 2 display intense and long-lived triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ((3)MLCT) (dpi(Ru) --> pi*(L1 or L2)) emission in fluid solutions at 298 K and in low-temperature glass. We have studied the binding of these ruthenium(II) biotin complexes to avidin by 4'-hydroxyazobenzene-2-carboxylic acid (HABA) assays, luminescence titrations, competitive assays using native biotin, and quenching experiments using methyl viologen. On the basis of the results of these experiments, a homogeneous competitive assay for biotin has been investigated.     

Photophysical properties of ligand localized excited state in ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes: a combined effect of electron donor-acceptor ligand

We have synthesized ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes (1) Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(1)), (2) Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(2)) and (3) Ru(II)(bpy)(L(1))(L(2)), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl, L(1) = 4-[2-(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridinyl-4-yl)vinyl]benzene-1,2-diol) and L(2) = 4-(N,N-dimethylamino-phenyl)-(2,2'-bipyridine) and investigated the intra-ligand charge transfer (ILCT) and ligand-ligand charge transfer (LLCT) states by optical absorption and emission studies. Our studies show that the presence of electron donating -NMe(2) functionality in L(2) and electron withdrawing catechol fragment in L(1) ligands of complex 3 introduces low energy LLCT excited states to aboriginal MLCT states. The superimposed LLCT and MLCT state produces redshift and broadening in the optical absorption spectra of complex 3 in comparison to complexes 1 and 2. The emission quantum yield of complex 3 is observed to be extremely low in comparison to that of complex 1 and 2 at room temperature. This is attributed to quenching of the (3)MLCT state by the low-emissive (3)LLCT state. The emission due to ligand localized CT state (ILCT and LLCT) of complexes 2 and 3 is revealed at 77 K in the form of a new luminescence band which appeared in the 670-760 nm region. The LLCT excited state of complex 3 is populated either via direct photoexcitation in the LLCT absorption band (350-700 nm) or through internal conversion from the photoexcited (3)MLCT (400-600 nm) states. The internal conversion rate is determined by quenching of the (3)MLCT state in a time resolved emission study. The internal conversion to LLCT and ILCT excited states are observed to be as fast as ～200 ps and ～700 ps for complexes 3 and 2, respectively. The present study illustrates the photophysical property of the ligand localized excited state of newly synthesized heteroleptic ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes.     

Binuclear wirelike dimers based on ruthenium(II)-bipyridine units linked by ethynylene-oligothiophene-ethynylene bridges

The syntheses, structural characteristics, electrochemical behavior, ground-state spectra, photophysical properties, and transient absorption (TA) spectra in CH(3)CN solvent are reported for binuclear [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpy-E(T)(n)()E-bpy)Ru(bpy)(2)](4+) complexes, Ru(bpyT(n)bpy)Ru, where the Ru-based units are connected by alternating 3,4-dibutylthiophene (DBT')/thiophene (T') fragments linked via ethynyl groups (E) to bpy ligands at the 5-position (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine). The ligand bpyT(3)bpy represents a module containing DBT'/T'/DBT' subunits, and bpyT(5)bpy accounts for a DBT'/T'/DBT'/T'/DBT' pattern. The syntheses and electrochemical and spectroscopic (emission and TA) properties in CH(2)Cl(2) solvent of the bpyT(n)()bpy ligands are likewise reported. The behavior of the Ru(bpyT(n)bpy)Ru dimers has been compared to that of the bpyT(n)bpy ligands and to that of a related mononuclear complex, [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpy-E-DBT')](2+), Ru(bpyDBT'). For the dimeric complexes, the electrochemical results show that the first reduction step takes place at the bpy ligand(s) bearing an ethynylene group, the first oxidation step is thiophene-centered, and further oxidation involves the metal centers, which are only weakly interacting. The photophysical and TA results for the Ru(bpyT(n)bpy)Ru dimers account for the presence of low-lying oligothiophene-centered (3)pi,pi levels, while higher-lying metal-ligand charge transfer ((3)MLCT) levels are thermally accessible only for the case of Ru(bpyT(3)bpy)Ru; the possible role of charge separation (CS) levels (from oxidation at the thiophene bridge and reduction at one of the coordinated bpy's) is also discussed.     

Ruthenium-phenothiazine electron transfer dyad with a photoswitchable dithienylethene bridge: flash-quench studies with methylviologen

A molecular ensemble composed of a phenothiazine (PTZ) electron donor, a photoisomerizable dithienylethene (DTE) bridge, and a Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) electron acceptor was synthesized and investigated by optical spectroscopic and electrochemical means. Our initial intention was to perform flash-quench transient absorption studies in which the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) unit is excited selectively ("flash") and its (3)MLCT excited state is quenched oxidatively ("quench") by excess methylviologen prior to intramolecular electron transfer from phenothiazine to Ru(III) across the dithienylethene bridge. However, after selective Ru(bpy)(3)(2+1)MLCT excitation of the dyad with the DTE bridge in its open form, (1)MLCT → (3)MLCT intersystem crossing on the metal complex is followed by triplet-triplet energy transfer to a (3)π-π* state localized on the DTE unit. This energy transfer process is faster than bimolecular oxidative quenching with methylviologen at the ruthenium site (Ru(III) is not observed); only the triplet-excited DTE then undergoes rapid (10 ns, instrumentally limited) bimolecular electron transfer with methylviologen. Subsequently, there is intramolecular electron transfer with PTZ. The time constant for formation of the phenothiazine radical cation via intramolecular electron transfer occurring over two p-xylene units is 41 ns. When the DTE bridge is photoisomerized to the closed form, PTZ(+) cannot be observed any more. Irrespective of the wavelength at which the closed isomer is irradiated, most of the excitation energy appears to be funneled rapidly into a DTE-localized singlet excited state from which photoisomerization to the open form occurs within picoseconds.     

Light-induced charge separation and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water using Ru(II)Pt(II)-based molecular devices: effects of introducing additional donor and/or acceptor sites

In our hopes to improve the photocatalytic efficiency of photo-hydrogen-evolving molecular devices, several new dyads and triads possessing a photosensitizing Ru(bpy)(phen)(2)(2+) (or Ru(phen)(3)(2+)) chromophore (abbreviated as Ru(II)) attached to both/either a phenothiazine moiety (abbreviated as Phz) and/or H(2)-evolving PtCl(2)(bpy) units (abbreviated as Pt), such as Phz-Ru(II)-Pt2 (triad), Ru(II)-Pt2 (dyad), and Ru(II)-Pt3 (dyad), were synthesized and their basic properties together with the photo-hydrogen-evolving characteristics were investigated in detail. The (3)MLCT phosphorescence from the Ru(II) moiety in these systems is substantially quenched due to the highly efficient photoinduced electron transfer (PET). Based on the electrochemical studies, the driving forces for the PET were estimated as -0.07 eV for Phz-Ru(II)-Pt2, -0.24 eV for Ru(II)-Pt2, and -0.22 eV for Ru(II)-Pt3, revealing the exergonic character of the PET in these systems. Luminescence lifetime studies revealed the existence of more than two decay components, indicative of a contribution of multiple PET processes arising from the presence of at least two different conformers in solution. The major luminescence decay components of the hybrid systems [τ(1) = 6.5 ns (Ru(II)-Pt2) and τ(1) = 1.04 ns (Phz-Ru(II)-Pt2) in acetonitrile] are much shorter than those of Phz-free/Pt-free Ru(bpy)(phen)(2)(2+) derivatives. An important finding is that the triad Phz-Ru(II)-Pt2 affords a quite long-lived charge separated (CS) state (τ(CS) = 43 ns), denoted as Phz(+)˙-Ru(Red)-Pt2, as a result of reductive quenching of the triplet excited state of Ru(bpy)(phen)(2)(2+) by the tethering Phz moiety, where Ru(Red) denotes Ru(bpy)(phen)(2)(+). Moreover, the lifetime of Phz(+)˙-Ru(Red)-Pt2 was observed to be much longer than that of Phz(+)˙-Ru(Red). The photocatalytic H(2) evolution from water driven by these systems was examined in an aqueous acetate buffer solution (pH 5.0) containing 4-19% dimethylsulfoxide (solubilising reagent) in the presence of EDTA as a sacrificial electron donor. Dyads Ru(II)-Pt2 and Ru(II)-Pt3 were found to exhibit improved photo-hydrogen-evolving activity compared to the heterodinuclear Ru-Pt dyads developed so far in our group. On the other hand, almost no catalytic activity was observed for Phz-Ru(II)-Pt2 in spite of the formation of a strongly reducing Ru(Red) site (Phz(+)˙-Ru(Red)-Pt2), indicating that the electron transfer from the photogenerated Ru(Red) unit to the PtCl(2)(bpy) unit is not favoured presumably due to the slow electron transfer rate in the Marcus inverted region.     

Synthesis,characterization, and photophysical studies of new bichromophoric ruthenium(II) complexes

The photophysical properties of a series of prepared ruthenium tris(bipyridine) complexes, covalently linked to aromatic species, of type [Ru(bpy)(2)-(4-methyl-4'-(arylaminocarbonyl)-2,2'-bipyridine)](2+) ([Ru(bpy)(2)(mbpy-L)](2+), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; mbpy = 4-methyl-4'-carbonyl-2,2'-bipyridine; and L = 2-aminonaphthyl (naph), 9-aminoanthryl (anth), 1-aminopyrenyl (pyr), or 9-aminoacridinyl (acrd)) were studied by electronic absorption spectroscopy and steady state and time resolved luminescence spectroscopies. The absorption spectra of the MLCT electronic transition of the complexes are similar, which is in agreement with a practically constant redox potential of Ru(III/II) close to 1.28 V versus Ag/AgCl. However, the luminescence spectra of the new complexes are red shifted compared to Ru(bpy)(3)(2+), and this effect is ascribed to solvation and inductive effects of the amide group which enhance the symmetry breakdown among the three bipyridyl ligands. The energy stabilization of the (3)MLCT state is in the range 2.1-8.4 kJ/mol. The triplet-triplet energy transfer between the Ru complex and the aromatic species linked by an amide spacer is a slow process with rate constants of 2.6 x 10(4), 3.6 x 10(4), and 4.9 x 10(4) s(-)(1) for anthracene, acridine, and pyrene as acceptors in methanol, respectively. The energy transfer rate constant increases with decreasing polarity of the solvent. In dichloromethane, the rate constants for anthracene, acridine, and pyrene acceptors are 2.6 x 10(5), 1.5 x 10(5), and 2.9 x 10(5) s(-)(1), respectively. The low efficiency of energy transfer is due to the small difference in triplet energy between donor and acceptor species, weak electronic coupling, and unfavorable Franck-Condon factors, despite the short separation distance between donor and acceptor species in an amide bridge.     

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.     

Efficient energy transfer via the cyanide bridge in dinuclear complexes containing Ru(II) polypyridine moieties

We report the synthesis, structure and properties of the cyanide-bridged dinuclear complex ions [Ru(L)(bpy)(μ-NC)M(CN)(5)](2-/-) (L = tpy, 2,2';6',2'-terpyridine, or tpm, tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, M = Fe(II), Fe(III), Cr(III)) and the related monomers [Ru(L)(bpy)X](2+) (X = CN(-) and NCS(-)). All the monomeric compounds are weak MLCT emitters (λ = 650-715 nm, ? ≈ 10(-4)). In the Fe(II) and Cr(III) dinuclear systems, the cyanide bridge promotes efficient energy transfer between the Ru-centered MLCT state and a Fe(II)- or Cr(III)-centered d-d state, which results either in a complete quenching of luminescence or in a narrow red emission (λ ≈ 820 nm, ? ≈ 10(-3)) respectively. In the case of Fe(III) dinuclear systems, an electron transfer quenching process is also likely to occur.     

Photophysical properties of TiO(2) surfaces modified with dinuclear RuRu and RuOs polypyridyl complexes

The photophysical properties of nanoporous TiO(2) surfaces modified with two new Ru(II)-(bpt)-Ru(II) and Ru(II)-(bpt)-Os(II) polypyridyl complexes are reported. These dyads have been prepared by a two-step synthetic pathway. In the first step, [Ru(dcbpy)(2)Cl(2)], where dcbpy is 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2-bipyridyl, was reacted with the bridging ligand 3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (Hbpt) to yield the mononuclear precursor Na(3)[Ru(dcbpy)(2)(bpt)].3H(2)O. Subsequent reaction of this compound with either [Ru(bpy)(2)Cl(2)] or [Os(bpy)(2)Cl(2)] yields the Ru(II)-Ru(II) and Ru(II)-Os(II) dyads. Electrochemical data, together with time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy and the investigation of the incident-photon-to-current-efficiency (IPCE), have been used to obtain a detailed picture of the photoinduced charge injection properties of these dyads. These measurements indicate that for the heterosupramolecular triad based on Ru(II)-(bpt)-Ru(II), the final product species obtained upon charge injection is TiO(2)(e)-Ru(II)Ru(III). For the mixed metal Ru(II)-(bpt)-Os(II) dyad, both metal centers inject efficiently into the semiconductor surface and as a result TiO(2)(e)-Ru(II)Os(III) is obtained as a single charge-separated product.     

Solvent switching of intramolecular energy transfer in bichromophoric systems: photophysics of (2,2'-bipyridine)tetracyanoruthenate(II)/pyrenyl complexes

The supramolecular systems [Ru(Pyr(n)bpy)(CN)(4)](2-) (n = 1, 2), where one and two pyrenyl units are linked via two-methylene bridges to the [Ru(bpy)(CN)(4)](2-) chromophore, have been synthesized. The photophysical properties of these systems, which contain a highly solvatochromic metal complex moiety, have been investigated in water, methanol, and acetonitrile. In all solvents, prompt and efficient singlet-singlet energy transfer takes places from the pyrene to the inorganic moiety. Energy transfer at the triplet level, on the other hand, is dramatically solvent dependent. In water, the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) emission of the Ru-based chromophore is completely quenched, and rapid (200 ps for n = 1) irreversible triplet energy transfer to the pyrene units is detected in ultrafast spectroscopy. In acetonitrile, the MLCT emission is practically unaffected by the presence of the pyrenyl chromophore, implying the absence of any intercomponent triplet energy transfer. In methanol, triplet energy transfer leads to an equilibrium between the excited chromophores, with considerable elongation of the MLCT lifetime. The investigation of the [Ru(Pyr(n)bpy)(CN)(4)](2-) systems in methanol provided a very detailed and self-consistent picture: (i) The initially formed MLCT state relaxes toward equilibrium in 0.5-1.3 ns (n = 1, 2), as monitored both by ultrafast transient absorption and by time-correlated single photon counting. (ii) The two excited chromophores decay with a common lifetime of 260-450 ns (n = 1, 2), as determined from the decay of MLCT emission (slow component) and of the pyrene triplet absorption. (iii) These equilibrium lifetimes are fully consistent with the excited-state partition of 12-6% MLCT (n = 1-2), independently measured from preexponential factors of the emission decay. Altogether, the results demonstrate how site-specific solvent effects can be used to control the direction of intercomponent energy flow in bichromophoric systems.     

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.     

Conformationally gated photoinduced processes within photosensitizer-acceptor dyads based on osmium(II) complexes with triarylpyridinio-functionalized terpyridyl ligands: insights from experimental study

[(ttpy)Os(tpy-ph-TPH(3)(+))](3+) (2), [(ttpy)Os(tpy-xy-TPH(3)(+))](3+) (3), [(ttpy)Os(tpy-ph-TPH(2)(NO(2))(+))](3+) (4), and [(ttpy)Os(tpy-xy-TPH(2)(NO(2))(+))](3+) (5) are a series of dyads made of an Os(II) bis-tpy complex (tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) as the photosensitizer (P) and 2,4,6-triarylpyridinium group (TP(+)) as the electron acceptor (A). These dyads were designed to form charge-separated states (CSS) upon light excitation. Together with analogous Ru(II) complexes (7-10), they have been synthesized and fully characterized. We describe herein how intramolecular photoinduced processes are affected when the electron-accepting strength of A (by nitro-derivatization of TP(+)) and/or the steric hindrance about intercomponent linkage (by replacing a phenyl spacer by a xylyl one) are changed. Electronic absorption and electrochemical behavior revealed that (i) chemical substitution of TP(+) (i.e., TP(+)-NO(2)) has no sizable influence on P-centered electronic features, (ii) reduction processes located on TP(+) depend on the intercomponent tilt angle. Concerning excited-state properties, photophysical investigation evidenced that phosphorescence of P is actually quenched in dyads 4 and 5 only. Ultrafast transient absorption (TA) experiments allowed attributing the quenching in conformationally locked dyad 5 to oxidative electron transfer (ET) from the (3)MLCT level to the TP(+)-NO(2) acceptor (k(el) = 1.1 x 10(9) s(-)(1)). For 4, geometrically unlocked, the (3)MLCT state was shown to first rapidly equilibrate (reversible energy transfer; k(eq) approximately 2 x 10(9) s(-)(1)) with a ligand centered triplet state before undergoing CSS formation. Thus, the pivotal role of conformation in driving excited-state decay pathways is demonstrated. Also, inner P structural planarization as a relaxation mode of the (3)MLCT states has been inferred from TA experiments.     

Ruthenium(II)-polyazine light absorbers bridged to reactive cis-dichlororhodium(III) centers in a bimetallic molecular architecture

Bimetallic complexes of the form [(bpy)(2)Ru(BL)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and BL = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp) or 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpm), were synthesized, characterized, and compared to the [{(bpy)(2)Ru(BL)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) trimetallic analogues. The new complexes were synthesized via the building block method, exploiting the known coordination chemistry of Rh(III) polyazine complexes. In contrast to [{(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) and [{(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5), [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) and [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) have a single visible light absorber subunit coupled to the cis-Rh(III)Cl(2) moiety, an unexplored molecular architecture. The electrochemistry of [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) showed a reversible oxidation at 1.61 V (vs Ag/AgCl) (Ru(III/II)), quasi-reversible reductions at -0.39 V, -0.74, and -0.98 V. The first two reductive couples corresponded to two electrons, consistent with Rh reduction. The electrochemistry of [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) exhibited a reversible oxidation at 1.76 V (Ru(III/II)). A reversible reduction at -0.14 V (bpm(0/-)), and quasi-reversible reductions at -0.77 and -0.91 V each corresponded to a one electron process, bpm(0/-), Rh(III/II), and Rh(II/I). The dpp bridged bimetallic and trimetallic display Ru(dpi)-->dpp(pi*) metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions at 509 nm (14,700 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 518 nm (26,100 M(-1) cm(-1)), respectively. The bpm bridged bimetallic and trimetallic display Ru(dpi)-->bpm(pi*) charge transfer (CT) transitions at 581 nm (4,000 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 594 nm (9,900 M(-1) cm(-1)), respectively. The heteronuclear complexes [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) and [{(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) had (3)MLCT emissions that are Ru(dpi)-->dpp(pi*) CT in nature but were red-shifted and lower intensity than [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)Ru(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(4). The lifetimes of the (3)MLCT state of [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) at room temperature (30 ns) was shorter than [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)Ru(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(4), consistent with favorable electron transfer to Rh(III) to generate a metal-to-metal charge-transfer ((3)MMCT) state. The reported synthetic methods provide means to a new molecular architecture coupling a single Ru light absorber to the Rh(III) center while retaining the interesting cis-Rh(III)Cl(2) moiety.     

Redox-switchable direction of photoinduced electron transfer in an Ru(bpy)3(2+)-viologen dyad

Quenching of the 3MLCT excited state of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy=bipyridine) by the reduction products (MV*+ and MV0) of methyl viologen (MV2+) was studied by a combination of electrochemistry with laser flash photolysis or femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. Both for the bimolecular reactions and for the reactions in an Ru(bpy)3(2+)-MVn+ dyad, quenching by MV*+ and MV0 is reductive and gives the reduced ruthenium complex [Ru(bpy)3]+, in contrast to the oxidative quenching by MV2+. Rate constants of quenching (kq), and thermal charge recombination (krec) and cage escape yields (phi(ce)) were determined for the bimolecular reactions, and rates of forward (kf) and backward (kb) electron transfer in the dyad were measured for quenching by MV2+, MV*+, and MV0. The reactions in the dyad are very rapid, with values up to kf = 1.3 x 10(12) s(-1) for *Ru(bpy)3(2+)-MV*+. In addition, a long-lived (tau = 15 ps) vibrationally excited state of MV*+ with a characteristically structured absorption spectrum was detected; this was generated by direct excitation of the MV*+ moiety both at 460 and 600 nm. The results show that the direction of photoinduced electron transfer in a Ru(bpy)3-MV molecule can be switched by an externally applied bias.     

Ruthenium(II) coordination chemistry of a fused donor-acceptor ligand: synthesis, characterization, and photoinduced electron-transfer reactions of [{Ru(bpy)2}(n)(TTF-ppb)](PF6)(2n) (n = 1, 2)

A pi-extended, redox-active bridging ligand 4',5'-bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvenyl[i]dipyrido[2,3-a:3',2'-c]phenazine (L) was prepared via direct Schiff-base condensation of the corresponding diamine-tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) precursor with 4,7-phenanthroline-5,6-dione. Reactions of L with [Ru(bpy)(2)Cl(2)] afforded its stable mono- and dinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes 1 and 2. They have been fully characterized, and their photophysical and electrochemical properties are reported together with those of [Ru(bpy)(2)(ppb)](2+) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(mu-ppb)Ru(bpy)(2)](4+) (ppb = dipyrido[2,3-a:3',2'-c]phenazine) for comparison. In all cases, the first excited state corresponds to an intramolecular TTF --> ppb charge-transfer state. Both ruthenium(II) complexes show two strong and well-separated metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption bands, whereas the (3)MLCT luminescence is strongly quenched via electron transfer from the TTF subunit. Clearly, the transient absorption spectra illustrate the role of the TTF fragment as an electron donor, which induces a triplet intraligand charge-transfer state ((3)ILCT) with lifetimes of approximately 200 and 50 ns for mono- and dinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes, respectively.     

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.     

DNA mismatch detection by resonance energy transfer between ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) chromophores

Octahedral tris-chelate complexes [M(II)(bpy)(3)](2+) (M = Ru or Os, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl), covalently attached to the 3'- and 5'-phosphates of two oligonucleotides, are juxtaposed when hybridized contiguously to a fully complementary DNA target. Visible metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excitation of the [Ru(II)(bpy)(3)](2+) unit leads to resonance energy transfer to the MLCT state of the [Os(II)(bpy)(3)](2+) moiety, with the energy transfer efficiency depending on the degree of hybridization. The extent of attenuation of the intense red luminescence from the Ru(II) chromophore hence allows highly sensitive structural probing of the assembly and constitutes a novel approach to DNA sensing which is capable of detecting mutations.     

Photoinduced energy transfer in a conformationally flexible Re(I)/Ru(II) dyad probed by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy: effects of conformation and spatial localization of excited states

The dyad RuLRe contains (Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl) and (Ru(bpy)(bpyam)2)2+ termini (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; bpyam = 4,4'-diethylamido-2,2'-bipyridine) separated by a flexible ethylene spacer. Luminescence studies reveal the expected Re --> Ru photoinduced energy transfer, with partial quenching of Re(I)-based triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) luminescence and consequent sensitization of the Ru(II)-based 3MLCT luminescence, which has a component with a grow-in lifetime of 0.76 (+/-0.2) ns. The presence of IR-active spectroscopic handles on both termini [CO ligands directly attached to Re(I) and amide carbonyl substituents on the bpy ligands coordinated to Ru(II)] allowed the excited-state dynamics to be studied by time-resolved IR (TRIR) spectroscopy in much more detail than allowed by luminescence methods. A combination of picosecond- and nanosecond-time-scale TRIR studies revealed the presence of at least three distinct Re --> Ru energy-transfer processes, with lifetimes of ca. 20 ps and 1 and 13 ns. This complex behavior occurs because of a combination of two different Ru-based 3MLCT states (Ru --> L and Ru --> bpyam), which are sensitized by energy transfer from the Re(I) donor at different rates; and the presence of at least two conformers of the flexible molecule RuLRe, which have different Re...Ru separations.