Mixed-metal supramolecular complexes coupling phosphine-containing Ru(II) light absorbers to a reactive Pt(II) through polyazine bridging ligands

Supramolecular bimetallic Ru(II)/Pt(II) complexes [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)PtCl(2)](2+) and their synthons [(tpy)Ru(L)(BL)](n)()(+) (where L = Cl(-), CH(3)CN, or PEt(2)Ph; tpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine; and BL = 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpm) or 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp)) have been synthesized and studied by cyclic voltammetry, electronic absorption spectroscopy, mass spectral analysis, and (31)P NMR. The mixed-metal bimetallic complexes couple phosphine-containing Ru chromophores to a reactive Pt site. These complexes show how substitution of the monodentate ligand on the [(tpy)RuCl(BL)](+) synthons can tune the properties of these light absorbers (LA) and incorporate a (31)P NMR tag by addition of the PEt(2)Ph ligand. The redox potentials for the Ru(III/II) couples occur at values greater than 1.00 V versus the Ag/AgCl reference electrode and can be tuned to more positive potentials on going from Cl(-) to CH(3)CN or PEt(2)Ph (E(1/2) = 1.01, 1.55, and 1.56 V, respectively, for BL = bpm). The BL(0/-) couple at -1.03 (bpm) and -1.05 V (dpp) for [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)](2+) shifts dramatically to more positive potentials upon the addition of the PtCl(2) moiety to -0.34 (bpm) and -0.50 V (dpp) for the [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)PtCl(2)](2+) bridged complex. The lowest energy electronic absorption for these complexes is assigned as the Ru(d pi) --> BL(pi*) metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition. These MLCT transitions are tuned to higher energy in the monometallic synthons when Cl(-) is replaced by CH(3)CN or PEt(2)Ph (516, 452, and 450 nm, for BL = bpm, respectively) and to lower energy when Pt(II)Cl(2) is coordinated to the bridging ligand (560 and 506 nm for BL = bpm or dpp). This MLCT state displays a broad emission at room temperature for all the dpp systems with the [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(dpp)PtCl(2)](2+) system exhibiting an emission centered at 750 nm with a lifetime of 56 ns. These supramolecular complexes [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)PtCl(2)](2+) represent the covalent linkage of TAG-LA-BL-RM assembly (TAG = NMR active tag, RM = Pt(II) reactive metal).     

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.     

A novel heteroditopic terpyridine-pincer ligand as building block for mono- and heterometallic Pd(II) and Ru(II) complexes

A palladium-catalyzed Stille coupling reaction was employed as a versatile method for the synthesis of a novel terpyridine-pincer (3, TPBr) bridging ligand, 4'-{4-BrC6H2(CH2NMe2)2-3,5}-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine. Mononuclear species [PdX(TP)] (X = Br, Cl), [Ru(TPBr)(tpy)](PF6)2, and [Ru(TPBr)2](PF6)2, synthesized by selective metalation of the NCNBr-pincer moiety or complexation of the terpyridine of the bifunctional ligand TPBr, were used as building blocks for the preparation of heterodi- and trimetallic complexes [Ru(TPPdCl)(tpy)](PF6)2 (7) and [Ru(TPPdCl)2](PF6)2 (8). The molecular structures in the solid state of [PdBr(TP)] (4a) and [Ru(TPBr)2](PF6)2 (6) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Electrochemical behavior and photophysical properties of the mono- and heterometallic complexes are described. All the above di- and trimetallic Ru complexes exhibit absorption bands attributable to (1)MLCT (Ru --> tpy) transitions. For the heteroleptic complexes, the transitions involving the unsubstituted tpy ligand are at a lower energy than the tpy moiety of the TPBr ligand. The absorption bands observed in the electronic spectra for TPBr and [PdCl(TP)] have been assigned with the aid of TD-DFT calculations. All complexes display weak emission both at room temperature and in a butyronitrile glass at 77 K. The considerable red shift of the emission maxima relative to the signal of the reference compound [Ru(tpy)2]2+ indicates stabilization of the luminescent 3MLCT state. For the mono- and heterometallic complexes, electrochemical and spectroscopic studies (electronic absorption and emission spectra and luminescence lifetimes recorded at room temperature and 77 K in nitrile solvents), together with the information gained from IR spectroelectrochemical studies of the dimetallic complex [Ru(TPPdSCN)(tpy)](PF6)2, are indicative of charge redistribution through the bridging ligand TPBr. The results are in line with a weak coupling between the {Ru(tpy)2} chromophoric unit and the (non)metalated NCN-pincer moiety.     

Direct measurement of excited-state intervalence transfer in [(tpy)Ru(III)(tppz(*-))Ru(II)(tpy)](4+) by time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy

Extension of time-resolved infrared (TRIR) measurements into the near-infrared region has allowed the first direct measurement of a mixed-valence band in the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited state of a symmetrical ligand-bridged complex. Visible laser flash excitation of [(tpy)Ru(tppz)Ru(tpy)]4+ (tppz is 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine; tpy is 2,2':6',6' '-terpyridine) produces the mixed-valence, MLCT excited state [(tpy)RuIII(tppz*-)RuII(tpy)]4+* with the excited electron localized on the bridging tppz ligand. A mixed-valence band appears at numax = 6300 cm-1 with a bandwidth-at-half- maximum, Deltanu1/2 = 1070 cm-1. In the analogous ground-state complex, [(tpy)Ru(tppz)Ru(tpy)]5+, a mixed-valence band appears at numax = 6550 cm-1 with Deltanu1/2 = 970 cm-1 which allows a comparison to be made of electronic coupling across tppz0 and tppz*- as bridging ligands.     

A platinum-ruthenium dinuclear complex bridged by bis(terpyridyl)xanthene

4,5-Bis(terpyridyl)-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene (btpyxa) was prepared to serve as a new bridging ligand via Suzuki coupling of terpyridin-4'-yl triflate and 2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene-4,5-diboronic acid. The reaction of btpyxa with either 1 equiv or an excess of PtCl(2)(cod) (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) followed by anion exchange afforded mono- and dinuclear platinum complexes [(PtCl)(btpyxa)](PF(6)) ([1](PF(6))) and [(PtCl)(2)(btpyxa)](PF(6))(2) ([2](PF(6))(2)), respectively. The X-ray crystallography of [1](PF(6)).CHCl(3) revealed that the two terpyridine units in the ligand are nearly parallel to each other. The heterodinuclear complex [(PtCl)[Ru((t)Bu(2)SQ)(dmso)](btpyxa)](PF(6))(2) ([4](PF(6))(2)) (dmso = dimethyl sulfoxide; (t)Bu(2)SQ = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzosemiquinone) and the monoruthenium complex [Ru((t)Bu(2)SQ)(dmso)(trpy)](PF(6)) ([5](PF(6))) (trpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) were also synthesized. The CV of [2](2+) suggests possible electronic interaction between the two Pt(trpy) groups, whereas such an electronic interaction was not suggested by the CV of [4](2+) between Pt(trpy) and Ru((t)Bu(2)SQ) frameworks.     

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.     

Synthesis,characterization, and DNA binding properties of a series of Ru,Pt mixed-metal complexes

A series of mixed-metal complexes coupling ruthenium light absorbers to platinum reactive metal sites through polyazine bridging ligands have been prepared of the form [(tpy)RuCl(BL)PtCl(2)](PF(6)) (BL = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp), 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline (dpq), 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)benzoquinoxaline (dpb); tpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine). These systems possess electron-rich Ru metal centers bound to five polyazine nitrogens and one chloride ligand. This leads to complexes with low-energy Ru --> BL charge-transfer bands that are tunable with BL variation occurring at 544, 632, and 682 nm for dpp, dpq, and dpb, respectively. This tuning of the charge-transfer energy results from a stabilization of the BL(pi) orbitals in this series as evidenced by the cathodic shift in the first reduction of these complexes occurring at -0.50, -0.32, and -0.20 V vs Ag/AgCl, for dpp, dpq, and dpb, respectively. The chlorides bound to the Pt(II) center are substitutionally labile giving these complexes the ability to covalently bind to DNA. All three title bimetallics, [(tpy)RuCl(BL)PtCl(2)](PF(6)), avidly bind double-stranded DNA with t(1/2) = 1-2 min, substantially reducing the migration of DNA through an agarose gel. Details of the synthetic methods, FAB MS data, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties, and DNA binding studies are presented.     

Reversible thermo-responsive luminescent metallo-supramolecular triblock copolymers based on platinum(II) terpyridyl chromophores with unusual aggregation behaviour and red-near-infrared (NIR) emission upon heating

Two platinum(II) terpyridyl-based metallo-supramolecular triblock copolymers, [ClPt(tpy)PEO-PPO-PEO(tpy)PtCl](OTf)(2) (1) and [(Ph-C≡C)Pt(tpy)PEO-PPO-PEO(tpy)Pt(C≡C-Ph)](OTf)(2) (2), have been synthesized and characterized. The two complexes were found to aggregate with PtPt and/or π-π interactions at high temperature, which have not been reported so far, as revealed by UV/Vis absorption, emission and (1)H NMR study. This is due to the formation of spherical micelles driven by the PEO-PPO-PEO copolymers at temperatures above the critical micelle temperature, which was confirmed by TEM and DLS. The red-near-infrared (NIR) emission of the complexes can be switched on and off by at least ten cycles of heating and cooling, suggesting that the micellization was highly reversible.     

Photophysical properties of Ru(II) bipyridyl complexes containing hemilabile phosphine-ether ligands

Emission and absorbance spectra, along with low-temperature excited-state lifetimes, were obtained for the hemilabile complexes, [Ru(bpy)2L](PF6)2 [L = (2-methoxyphenyl)diphenylphosphine (RuPOMe) (1) and (2-ethoxyphenyl)diphenylphosphine (RuPOEt) (2)] in solid 4:1 ethanol/methanol solution. Spectral data were evaluated with ground-state reduction potentials using Lever parameters. Lifetime data for these complexes were collected from 77 to 160 K, and the rate constant for the combined radiative and nonradiative decay process, k, the thermally activated process prefactor, k'(0), the rate constant for the MLCT --> d-d transition, k', and the activation energy, DeltaE', were calculated from a plot of ln(1/tau) versus 1/T for both (1) and (2). The low-temperature luminescence lifetimes of (1) were observed to decrease with increases in water concentration. The photophysical and kinetic data of (1) and (2) are compared to literature data for [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2. The emission maxima of (1) and (2) are blue-shifted relative to [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 due to the presence of the strong-field phosphine ligand, which enhances pi back-bonding to the bipyridyl ligands. The thermal activation energy, DeltaE', is significantly larger for [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 than for (1) and (2) resulting in a faster MLCT --> d-d transition for (1) and (2). These results are discussed in the context of radiationless decay through thermally activated ligand-field states on the metal complex.     

Near-infrared absorbing and emitting Ru(II)-Pt(II) heterodimetallic complexes of dpdpz (dpdpz = 2,3-di(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenylpyrazine)

The reaction of 2,3-di(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenylpyrazine (dpdpz) with K(2)PtCl(4) in a mixture of acetonitrile and water afforded mono-Pt complex (dpdpz)PtCl(2)4 in good yield, with two lateral pyridine nitrogen atoms binding to the metal center. Two types of Ru(II)-Pt(II) heterodimetallic complexes bridged by dpdpz, namely, [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpdpz)Pt(C≡CC(6)H(4)R)](2+) (7-9, R = H, NMe(2), or Cl, respectively) and [(tpy)Ru(dpdpz)Pt(C≡CPh)] (+) (12), were then designed and prepared, where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and tpy = 2,2';6',2'-terpyridine. In both cases, the platinum atom binds to dpdpz with a C(∧)N(∧)N tridentate mode. However, the coordination of the ruthenium atom with dpdpz could either be noncyclometalated (N(∧)N bidentate) or cyclometalated (C(∧)N(∧)N tridentate). The electronic properties of these complexes were subsequently studied and compared by spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses and theoretical calculations. These complexes exhibit substantial absorption in the visible to NIR (near-infrared) region because of mixed MLCT (metal-to-ligand-charge-tranfer) transitions from both the ruthenium and the platinum centers. Complexes 7 and 9 were found to emit NIR light with higher quantum yields than those of the mono-Ru complex [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpdpz)](2+) (5) and bis-Ru complex [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpdpz)Ru(bpy)(2)](4+) (13). However, no emission was detected from complex 8 or 12 at room temperature in acetonitrile.     

Electrochemical, spectroscopic, and photophysical properties of structurally diverse polyazine-bridged Ru(II),Pt(II) and Os(II),Ru(II),Pt(II) supramolecular motifs

Five new tetrametallic supramolecules of the motif [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)PtCl(2)](6+) and three new trimetallic light absorbers [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)](6+) (TL = bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine or phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; M = Ru(II) or Os(II); BL = dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, dpq = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline, or bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) were synthesized and their redox, spectroscopic, and photophysical properties investigated. The tetrametallic complexes couple a Pt(II)-based reactive metal center to Ru and/or Os light absorbers through two different polyazine BL to provide structural diversity and interesting resultant properties. The redox potential of the M(II/III) couple is modulated by M variation, with the terminal Ru(II/III) occurring at 1.58-1.61 V and terminal Os(II/III) couples at 1.07-1.18 V versus Ag/AgCl. [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)](PF(6))(6) display terminal M(dπ)-based highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) with the dpp(π*)-based lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy relatively unaffected by the nature of BL. The coupling of Pt to the BL results in orbital inversion with localization of the LUMO on the remote BL in the tetrametallic complexes, providing a lowest energy charge separated (CS) state with an oxidized terminal Ru or Os and spatially separated reduced BL. The complexes [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)](6+) and [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)PtCl(2)](6+) efficiently absorb light throughout the UV and visible regions with intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions in the visible at about 540 nm (M = Ru) and 560 nm (M = Os) (ε ≈ 33,000-42,000 M(-1) cm(-1)) and direct excitation to the spin-forbidden (3)MLCT excited state in the Os complexes about 720 nm. All the trimetallic and tetrametallic Ru-based supramolecular systems emit from the terminal Ru(dπ)→dpp(π*) (3)MLCT state, λ(max)(em) ≈ 750 nm. The tetrametallic systems display complex excited state dynamics with quenching of the (3)MLCT emission at room temperature to populate the lowest-lying (3)CS state population of the emissive (3)MLCT state.     

Characterization of low energy charge transfer transitions in (terpyridine)(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes and their cyanide-bridged bi- and tri-metallic analogues

The lowest energy metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption bands found in ambient solutions of a series of [Ru(tpy)(bpy)X](m+) complexes (tpy = 2,2':3',2'-terpyridine; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; and X = a monodentate ancillary ligand) feature one or two partly resolved weak absorptions (bands I and/or II) on the low energy side of their absorption envelopes. Similar features are found for the related cyanide-bridged bi- and trimetallic complexes. However, the weak absorption band I of [(bpy)(2)Ru{CNRu(tpy)(bpy)}(2)](4+) is missing in its [(bpy)(2)Ru{NCRu(tpy)(bpy)}(2)](4+) linkage isomer demonstrating that this feature arises from a Ru(II)/tpy MLCT absorption. The energies of the MLCT band I components of the [Ru(tpy)(bpy)X](m+) complexes are proportional to the differences between the potentials for the first oxidation and the first reduction waves of the complexes. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) computational modeling indicates that these band I components correspond to the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) to lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) transition, with the HOMO being largely ruthenium-centered and the LUMO largely tpy-centered. The most intense contribution to a lowest energy MLCT absorption envelope (band III) of these complexes corresponds to the convolution of several orbitally different components, and its absorption maximum has an energy that is about 5000 cm(-1) higher than that of band I. The multimetallic complexes that contain Ru(II) centers linked by cyanide have mixed valence excited states in which more than 10% of electronic density is delocalized between the nearest neighbor ruthenium centers, and the corresponding stabilization energy contributions in the excited states are indistinguishable from those of the corresponding ground states. Single crystal X-ray structures and computational modeling indicate that the Ru-(C≡N)-Ru linkage is quite flexible and that there is not an appreciable variation in electronic structure or energy among the conformational isomers.     

Electronic energy transfer and collection in luminescent molecular rods containing ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine complexes linked by thiophene-2,5-diyl spacers

The electronic absorption spectra, luminescence spectra and lifetimes (in MeCN at room temperature and in frozen n-C3H7CN at 77 K), and electrochemical potentials (in MeCN) of the novel dinuclear [(tpy)Ru(3)Os(tpy)]4+ and trinuclear [(tpy)Ru(3)Os(3)Ru(tpy)]6- complexes (3 = 2,5-bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyridin-4-yl)thiophene) have been obtained and are compared with those of model mononuclear complexes and homometallic [(tpy)Ru(3)Ru(tpy)]4+, [(tpy)Os(3)Os(tpy)]4+ and [(tpy)Ru(3)Ru(3)Ru(tpy)]6+ Complexes. The bridging ligand 3 is nearly planar in the complexes, as seen from a preliminary X-ray determination of [(tpy)Ru(3)Ru(tpy)][PF6]4, and confers a high degree of rigidity upon the polynuclear species. The trinuclear species are rod-shaped with a distance of about 3 nm between the terminal metal centres. For the polynuclear complexes, the spectroscopic and electrochemical data are in accord with a significant intermetal interaction. All of the complexes are luminescent (phi in the range 10(-4)-10(-2) and tau in the range 6-340 ns, at room temperature), and ruthenium- or osmium-based luminescence properties can be identified. Due to the excited state properties of the various components and to the geometric and electronic properties of the bridge, Ru --> Os directional transfer of excitation energy takes place in the complexes [(tpy)Ru(3)Os(tpy)]4+ (end-to-end) and [(tpy)Ru(3)Os(3)Ru(tpy)]6+ (periphery-to-centre). With respect to the homometallic case, for [(tpy)Ru(3)Os(3)Ru(tpy)]6+ excitation trapping at the central position is accompanied by a fivefold enhancement of luminescence intensity.     

A tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) derivative tethered to a cis-PtCl2(amine)2 moiety: syntheses, spectroscopic properties, and visible-light-induced scission of DNA

A tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) derivative having two N-(3-ammoniopropyl)carbamoyl pendant units has been prepared and reacted with cis-PtCl2(DMSO)2 (DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide) to give a heteronuclear Ru(II)Pt(II) dimer having a cis-Pt(II)Cl2(aliphatic amine)2 unit, [Ru(bpy)2(mu-bridge)PtCl2](PF6)2 (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, bridge = 4,4'-bis(N-(3-aminopropyl)carbamoyl)-2,2'-bipyridine). The ESI-TOF mass spectrum of the Ru(II)Pt(II) dimer shows a set of signals corresponding to {[Ru(bpy)2(mu-bridge)PtCl2](PF6)}(+) (m/z 1181.1). The MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) luminescence intensity is enhanced upon the platination of two amine units, presumably due to the formation of a relatively rigid metallocycle. More interestingly, the luminescence intensity is further enhanced by the complexation of the Ru(II)Pt(II) dimer with either 5'-GMP (guanosine 5'-monophosphate disodium salt) or calf thymus DNA. Visible-light-induced scission of supercoiled pBR322 DNA is found to be efficiently enhanced in the presence of the title Ru(II)Pt(II) dimer.     

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.     

Luminescent ruthenium(II) bipyridyl-phosphonic acid complexes: pH dependent photophysical behavior and quenching with divalent metal ions

The synthesis, redox behavior, and photophysical properties of a series of Ru(II) bipyridyl complexes having diimine ligands with phosphonate and phosphonic acid substituents are presented. The phosphonate-containing ligands examined include diethyl 4-(2,2'-bipyrid-4-yl)benzylphosphonate (bpbzp), diethyl 4-(2,2'-bipyrid-4-yl)-phenylphosphonate (bppp), and 4,4'-(diethyl phosphonato)-2,2'-bipyridine (bpdp), and the [(bpy)2Ru(L)](PF6)2 complexes of both the diethyl phosphonate and the phosphonic acid were prepared. The Ru(III/II) potentials are more positive for the phosphonate complexes than for the phosphonic acids, and the first reduction is localized on the phosphonate-containing ligand for the bppp and bpdp complexes. The first reduction of the phosphonic acid complexes is at more negative potentials and cannot be distinguished from bpy reduction. For the bppp and bpdp complexes luminescence arises from a Ru(d pi)-->bpy-phosphonate (pi*) MLCT state; the phosphonic acid complexes luminescence at higher energies from a MLCT state not clearly isolated on one ligand. Iron(III) and copper(II) complex with and very efficiently quench the luminescence of all the phosphonic acid complexes in nonaqueous solvents. The quenching mechanism is discussed on the basis of luminescence decay and picosecond transient absorption measurements.     

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.     

Monometallic and dimetallic ruthenium(II)-terpyridine complexes employing the tetradentate ligands dipyridylpyrazolyl,dipyridyloxadiazole, and their dimethyl derivatives

The tetradentate ligands, 2,2'-(1H-pyrazole-3,5-diyl)bis(4- methylpyridine) (4,4'-Me2dppzH), 2,2'-(1H-pyrazole-3,5-diyl)bis(6-methylpyridine) (6,6'-Me2dppzH), 3,5-di(pyrid-2-yl)pyrazole (dppzH), and dipyridyloxadiazole (dpo) react with either Ru(trpy)Cl3 or trans-Ru(trpy)Cl2(NCCH3), where trpy is 2,2',2'-terpyridine, to form a variety of Ru(II) complexes. Among these are the symmetrical chloro-bridged Ru(II) dimer and the "in" and "out" geometric isomers of the monometallic Ru(II) containing species where "in" and "out" refer to the orientation of the Ru-Cl vector relative to the centroid of the ligand backbone. Thirteen complexes were prepared and painstakingly purified by careful recrystallization and/or exhaustive column chromatography. These complexes were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, electronic absorption, and infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, [Ru2(tryp)2(6,6'-Me2dppz)mu-Cl](BF4)2 (3b(BF4)2), [Ru2(trpy)2(4,4'-Me2dppz)mu-Cl](PF6)2.0.5MeOH (3c), [Ru2(trpy)2(6,6'-Me2dppz)(CH2C(O)CH3)](PF6)2.0.5(CH3)2CO (9b), "in"-[Ru(trpy)(4,4'-Me2dppz)Cl](PF6).(CH3)2CO (1c), and "out"-[Ru(trpy)(dpo)Cl](PF6).(CH3)2CO (2d) were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Several ligand substitution reactions were attempted. For example, [Ru2(trpy)2(6,6'-Me2dppz)mu-Cl](BF4)2 (3b) was reacted with hydroxide ion to produce [Ru2(trpy)2(6,6'-Me2dppz)mu-OH](PF6)2 (6b). Complex 6b reacts with benzyl bromide to produce [Ru2(trpy)2(6,6'-Me2dppz)mu-Br](PF6)2 (7b) or with (CH3)3Sil to produce [Ru2(trpy)2(6,6'-Me2dppz)mu-I](PF6)2 (8b). of 6b with acetone forms the methyl enolate complex [Ru2(trpy)2(6,6'-Me2dppz)(CH2COCH3)](PF6)2 (9b) while, analogously to a Cannizarro reaction, the reaction with benzaldehyde forms the bridging benzoate complex [Ru2(trpy)2(6,6'-Me2dppz)(C6H4CO2)](PF6)2 (11b). The bridging azide complex [Ru2(trpy)2(6,6'-Me2dppz)mu-N3](PF6)2 (10b) is formed by reaction of 6b with (CH3)3-SiN3. Additionally, the chloride ligands of the monometallic complexes of "in"-[Ru(trpy)(dpo)Cl](PF6) (1d), "in"-[Ru(trpy)(4,4'-Me2dpo)Cl](PF6)] (1e), and "out"-[Ru(trpy)(dpo)Cl](PF6) (2d) were substituted with water to form their respective aqua complexes, 4d, 4e, and 5d. All of the complexes exhibit broad unsymmetrial absorption bands in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The dimetallic complexes 3b and 3c exhibit two, 1e- reversible oxidation waves at +0.72 and +1.15 V, and at +0.64 and +1.13 V, respectively. These complexes were not emissive.     

Diorganoruthenium complexes incorporating noninnocent [C(6)H(2)(CH(2)ER(2))(2)-3,5](2)(2-) (E = N, P) bis-pincer bridging ligands: synthesis, spectroelectrochemistry, and DFT studies

The dinuclear complex [(tpy)RuII(PCP-PCP)RuII(tpy)]Cl2 (bridging PCP-PCP = 3,3',5,5'-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)biphenyl, [C6H2(CH2PPh2)2-3,5]22-) was prepared via a transcyclometalation reaction of the bis-pincer ligand [PC(H)P-PC(H)P] and the Ru(II) precursor [Ru(NCN)(tpy)]Cl (NCN = [C6H3(CH2NMe2)2-2,6]-) followed by a reaction with 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine (tpy). Electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of [(tpy)RuII(PCP-PCP)RuII(tpy)]Cl2 are compared with those of the closely related [(tpy)RuII(NCN-NCN)RuII(tpy)](PF6)2 (NCN-NCN = [C6H2(CH2NMe2)2-3,5]22-) obtained by two-electron reduction of [(tpy)RuIII(NCN-NCN)RuIII(tpy)](PF6)4. The molecular structure of the latter complex has been determined by single-crystal X-ray structure determination. One-electron reduction of [(tpy)RuIII(NCN-NCN)RuIII(tpy)](PF6)4 and one-electron oxidation of [(tpy)RuII(PCP-PCP)RuII(tpy)]Cl2 yielded the mixed-valence species [(tpy)RuIII(NCN-NCN)RuII(tpy)]3+ and [(tpy)RuIII(PCP-PCP)RuII(tpy)]3+, respectively. The comproportionation equilibrium constants Kc (900 and 748 for [(tpy)RuIII(NCN-NCN)RuIII(tpy)]4+ and [(tpy)RuII(PCP-PCP)RuII(tpy)]2+, respectively) determined from cyclic voltammetric data reveal comparable stability of the [RuIII-RuII] state of both complexes. Spectroelectrochemical measurements and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy were employed to further characterize the different redox states with special focus on the mixed-valence species and their NIR bands. Analysis of these bands in the framework of Hush theory indicates that the mixed-valence complexes [(tpy)RuIII(PCP-PCP)RuII(tpy)]3+ and [(tpy)RuIII(NCN-NCN)RuII(tpy)]3+ belong to strongly coupled borderline Class II/Class III and intrinsically coupled Class III systems, respectively. Preliminary DFT calculations suggest that extensive delocalization of the spin density over the metal centers and the bridging ligand exists. TD-DFT calculations then suggested a substantial MLCT character of the NIR electronic transitions. The results obtained in this study point to a decreased metal-metal electronic interaction accommodated by the double-cyclometalated bis-pincer bridge when strong sigma-donor NMe2 groups are replaced by weak sigma-donor, pi-acceptor PPh2 groups.     

Building Block Approach to the Construction of Long-Lived Osmium(II) and Ruthenium(II) Multimetallic Complexes Incorporating the Tridentate Bridging Ligand 2,3,5,6-Tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine

Two classes of synthetically useful bimetallic complexes of the form [(tpy)M(tpp)RuCl(3)](PF(6)) and [(tpy)M(tpp)Ru(tpp)](PF(6))(4) have been prepared and their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties investigated (tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine, tpp = 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, and M = Ru(II) or Os(II)). Synthetic methods have been developed for the stepwise construction of tpp-bridged systems using a building block approach. In all four complexes, the tpp that serves as the bridging ligand is the site of localization of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). The nature of the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) varies depending upon the components present. In the systems of the type [(tpy)M(tpp)RuCl(3)](PF(6)), the ruthenium metal coordinated to tpp and three chlorides is the easiest to oxidize and is the site of localization of the HOMO. In contrast, for the [(tpy)M(tpp)Ru(tpp)](PF(6))(4) systems, the HOMO is based on the metal, M, that is varied, either Ru or Os. This gives rise to systems which possess a lowest lying excited state that is always a metal-to-ligand charge transfer state involving tpp but can be tuned to involve Os or Ru metal centers in a variety of coordination environments. The synthetic variation of the components within this framework has allowed for understanding the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties. Bimetallic systems incorporating this tpp ligand have long-lived excited states at room temperature (lifetimes of ca. 100 ns). The bimetallic system [(tpy)Ru(tpp)Ru(tpp)](PF(6))(4) has a longer excited state lifetime than the monometallic system from which it was constructed, [(tpy)Ru(tpp)](PF(6))(2). Details of the spectroscopic and electrochemical studies are reported herein.