Three Distinct Redox States of an Oxo‐Bridged Dinuclear Ruthenium Complex

A series of [{(terpy)(bpy)Ru}(μ‐O){Ru(bpy)(terpy)}]ⁿ⁺ ( [RuORu]ⁿ⁺ , terpy=2,2′;6′,2′′‐terpyridine, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) was systematically synthesized and characterized in three distinct redox states (n=3, 4, and 5 for Ru^II,III₂ , Ru^III,III₂ , and Ru^III,IV₂ , respectively). The crystal structures of [RuORu]ⁿ⁺ (n=3, 4, 5) in all three redox states were successfully determined. X‐ray crystallography showed that the Ru? O distances and the Ru‐O‐Ru angles are mainly regulated by the oxidation states of the ruthenium centers. X‐ray crystallography and ESR spectra clearly revealed the detailed electronic structures of two mixed‐valence complexes, [Ru^IIIORu^IV]⁵⁺ and [Ru^IIORu^III]³⁺ , in which each unpaired electron is completely delocalized across the oxo‐bridged dinuclear core. These findings allow us to understand the systematic changes in structure and electronic state that accompany the changes in the redox state.     

A Ruthenium(III)–Oxyl Complex Bearing Strong Radical Character

Proton‐coupled electron‐transfer oxidation of a Ru^II?OH₂ complex, having an N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand, gives a Ru^III?O^. species, which has an electronically equivalent structure of the Ru^IV=O species, in an acidic aqueous solution. The Ru^III?O^. complex was characterized by spectroscopic methods and DFT calculations. The oxidation state of the Ru center was shown to be close to +3; the Ru?O bond showed a lower‐energy Raman scattering at 732 cm^?1 and the Ru?O bond length was estimated to be 1.77(1) Å. The Ru^III?O^. complex exhibits high reactivity in substrate oxidation under catalytic conditions; particularly, benzaldehyde and the derivatives are oxidized to the corresponding benzoic acid through C?H abstraction from the formyl group by the Ru^III?O^. complex bearing a strong radical character as the active species.     

Direct evidence for chemically distinct regions within nation films on electrodes

Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical experiments on the complexes [(bpy)₂(py)Ru^II(OH₂)]²⁺ and [(trpy)(bpy)Ru^II(OH₂)]²⁺ (py is pyridine; bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine; trpy is 2,2',2“-terpyridine) with Nation films coated on electrodes demonstrate that the complexes partition amongst three chemically distinct regions or phases. As Ru(II) the complexes reside both in an electroinactive phase and, based on the pH dependence of the Ru(III)/(II) couples, e.g., [(bpy)₂(py)Ru^III(OH)]²⁺/[(bpy)₂(py)Ru^II(OH₂)]²⁺, in two electroactive phases. Partitioning amongst the three phases depends on the pH of the external solution and on the oxidation state and proton content of the complex. Addition of alcohols releases the complex from the electroinactive phase but at the expense of loss of the bound water molecule and binding to the sulfonate sites by anation and, therefore, to a fourth distinct chemical or physical state in which the complex can exist within Nation films.     

Preparation and electrochemical behavior of dimeric complexes of Ru2(III12, III12) and Ru2(IV,IV) formed by oxidative dimerization of [RuIII(edta)OH2]−

Electrochemical or chemical oxidation of [Ru^III(edta)OH₂]^? proceeds in successive half- and one-electron steps to yield dimeric complexes of Ru(III$\text{1}\text{2}$) and Ru(IV) believed to contain oxo- or dihydroxo-bridging ligands. Spectral and electrochemical properties of the complexes prepared by oxidative dimerization are described and compared with previous reports of dioxygen and peroxo complexes of Ru^III(edta). The dimeric Ru^IV(edta) complex is shown to exhibit modest activity as a catalyst for the oxidation of water to dioxygen.     

Synthesis and spectral studies on heterobimetallic complexes of manganese and ruthenium derived from N-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylenebenzoylhydrazide

The complex [Mn^IV(napbh)₂] (napbhH₂ = N-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylenebenzoylhydrazide) reacts with activated ruthenium(III) chloride in methanol in 1 : 1.2 molar ratio under reflux, giving heterobimetallic complexes, [Mn^IV(napbh)₂Ru^IIICl₃(H₂O)] · [Ru^III(napbhH)Cl₂(H₂O)] reacts with Mn(OAc)₂·4H₂O in methanol in 1 : 1.2 molar ratio under reflux to give [Ru^III(napbhH)Cl₂(H₂O)Mn^II(OAc)₂]. Replacement of aquo in these heterobimetallic complexes has been observed when the reactions are carried out in the presence of pyridine (py), 3-picoline (3-pic), or 4-picoline (4-pic). The molar conductances for these complexes in DMF indicates 1 : 1 electrolytes. Magnetic moment values suggest that these heterobimetallic complexes contain Mn^IV and Ru^III or Ru^III and Mn^II in the same structural unit. Electronic spectral studies suggest six coordinate metal ions. IR spectra reveal that the napbhH₂ ligand coordinates in its enol form to Mn^IV and bridges to Ru^III and in the keto form to Ru^III and bridging to Mn^II.     

Bridging function mediated intermetallic coupling in diruthenium- bis (bipyridine) complexes

The interactions of potentially dinucleating bridging functionalities (I–VI) with the ruthenium-bis(bypyridine) precursor [Ru^II(bpy)₂(EtOH)₂]²⁺have been explored. The bridging functionsI,II andVI directly result in the expected dinuclear complexes of the type [(bpy)₂Ru^IILⁿRu^II(bpy)₂]^z+ (1,2,7 and 8) (n = 0,z =4 andn = -2,z = 2). The bridging ligandIII undergoes N-N or N-C bond cleavage reaction on coordination to the Ru^II(bpy)₂ core which eventually yields a mononuclear complex of the type [(bpy)₂Ru^II(L)]⁺,3, where L =^-OC₆H₃(R)C(R′)=N-H. However, the electrogenerated mononuclear ruthenium(III) congener, 3⁺in acetonitrile dimerises to [(bpy)₂Ru^III {^-OC₆H₃(R)C(R′)=N-N=(R′)C(R)C₆H₃O^-}Ru^III(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ (4). In the presence of a slight amount of water content in the acetonitrile solvent the dimeric species (4) reduces back to the starting ruthenium(II) monomer (3). The preformed bridging ligandIV undergoes multiple transformations on coordination to the Ru(bpy)₂ core, such as hydrolysis of the imine groups ofIV followed by intermolecular head-to-tail oxidative coupling of the resultant amino phenol moieties, which in turn results in a new class of dimeric complex of the type [(bpy)₂Ru^{II -}OC₆H₄-N=C₆H₃(=NH)O^-Ru^II(bpy)₂]²⁺ (5). In5, the bridging ligand comprises of twoN,O chelating binding sites each formally in the semiquinone level and there is ap-benzoquinonediimine bridge between the metal centres. In complex6, the preformed bridging ligand, 3,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,2-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, H₂L (V) undergoes oxidative dehydrogenation to aromatic tetrazine based bridging unit, 3,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, L. The detailed spectroelectrochemical aspects of the complexes have been studied in order to understand the role of the bridging units towards the intermetallic electronic coupling in the dinuclear complexes.     

Controlling Metal–Ligand–Metal Oxidation State Combinations by Ancillary Ligand (L) Variation in the Redox Systems [L2Ru(μ‐boptz)RuL2]n,boptz=3,6‐bis(2‐oxidophenyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine,and L=acetylacetonate, 2,2′‐bipyridine,or 2‐phenylazopyridine

The new compounds [(acac)₂Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru(acac)₂] ( 1 ), [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 2 ‐(ClO₄)₂), and [(pap)₂Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru(pap)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 3 ‐(ClO₄)₂) were obtained from 3,6‐bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine (H₂boptz), the crystal structure analysis of which is reported. Compound 1 contains two antiferromagnetically coupled (J=?36.7 cm^?1) Ru^III centers. We have investigated the role of both the donor and acceptor functions containing the boptz^2? bridging ligand in combination with the electronically different ancillary ligands (donating acac^?, moderately π‐accepting bpy, and strongly π‐accepting pap; acac=acetylacetonate, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine pap=2‐phenylazopyridine) by using cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy for several in situ accessible redox states. We found that metal–ligand–metal oxidation state combinations remain invariant to ancillary ligand change in some instances; however, three isoelectronic paramagnetic cores Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru showed remarkable differences. The excellent tolerance of the bpy co ‐ ligand for both Ru^III and Ru^II is demonstrated by the adoption of the mixed ‐ valent form in [L₂Ru(μ‐boptz)RuL₂]³⁺, L=bpy, whereas the corresponding system with pap stabilizes the Ru^II states to yield a phenoxyl radical ligand and the compound with L=acac^? contains two Ru^III centers connected by a tetrazine radical‐anion bridge.     

Catalytic Four‐Electron Oxidation of Water by Intramolecular Coupling of the Oxo Ligands of a Bis(ruthenium–bipyridine) Complex

A bis(ruthenium–bipyridine) complex bridged by 1,8‐bis(2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyrid‐4′‐yl)anthracene (btpyan), [Ru₂(μ‐Cl)(bpy)₂(btpyan)](BF₄)₃ ([ 1 ](BF₄)₃; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine), was prepared. The cyclic voltammogram of [ 1 ](BF₄)₃ in water at pH 1.0 displayed two reversible [Ru^II,Ru^II]³⁺/[Ru^II,Ru^III]⁴⁺ and [Ru^II,Ru^III]⁴⁺/[Ru^III,Ru^III]⁵⁺ redox couples at E_1/2(1)=+0.61 and E_1/2(2)=+0.80 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), respectively, and an irreversible anodic peak at around E=+1.2 V followed by a strong anodic currents as a result of the oxidation of water. The controlled potential electrolysis of [ 1 ]³⁺ ions at E=+1.60 V in water at pH 2.6 (buffered with H₃PO₄/NaH₂PO₄) catalytically evolved dioxygen. Immediately after the electrolysis of the [ 1 ]³⁺ ion in H₂¹⁶O at E=+1.40 V, the resultant solution displayed two resonance Raman bands at $\tilde \nu $ =442 and 824 cm^‐1. These bands shifted to $\tilde \nu $ =426 and 780 cm^?1, respectively, when the same electrolysis was conducted in H₂¹⁸O. The chemical oxidation of the [ 1 ]³⁺ ion by using a Ce^IV species in H₂¹⁶O and H₂¹⁸O also exhibited the same resonance Raman spectra. The observed isotope frequency shifts (Δ$\tilde \nu $ =16 and 44 cm^?1) fully fit the calculated ones based on the Ru? O and O? O stretching modes, respectively. The first successful identification of the metal? O? O? metal stretching band in the oxidation of water indicates that the oxygen–oxygen bond at the stage prior to the evolution of O₂ is formed through the intramolecular coupling of two Ru–oxo groups derived from the [ 1 ]³⁺ ion.     

The chemistry of [Ru(trpy)(Q)X]n+ (trpy = 2,2′2″-terpyridine; Q = the quinolin-8-olate anion; X = Cl-, H2O,MeCN and N-_3; n = 0 and 1)

Reaction of [Ru(trpy)Cl₃] with quinolin-8-ol (HQ) yields [Ru(trpy)(Q)Cl]. Treatment of [Ru(trpy)(Q)Cl] with Ag⁺ in Me₂CO–H₂O (3:1) and MeCN gives [Ru(trpy)- (Q)(H₂O)]⁺ and [Ru(trpy)(Q)(MeCN)]⁺, respectively, which were isolated as their perchlorate salts. A similar reaction in EtOH, in the presence of NaN₃, yields [Ru(trpy)(Q)(N₃)]. All complexes are diamagnetic (low-spin, d⁶, S = 0) and show many intense m.l.c.t. transitions in the visible region. They display a reversible Ru^II-Ru^III oxidation in the -0.13-0.48 V versus s.c.e. range, followed by an irreversible Ru^III-Ru^IV oxidation in the 0.46–1.08V versus s.c.e. range and three trpy-based reductions on the negative side of s.c.e. Chemical oxidation of [Ru^II(trpy)(Q)Cl] by Ce⁴⁺ gives [Ru(trpy)-(Q)Cl]⁺ which shows intense l.m.c.t. transitions in the visible region together with a weak ligand field transition in the lower energy region. The complex is one-electron paramagnetic (low-spin, d⁵, S=1/2) and shows a rhombic e.s.r. spectrum in MeCN–PhMe (1:1) solution at 77K. Chemical oxidation of [Ru(trpy)(Q)-(H₂O)]⁺ results in the formation of a -oxo dimer, [{Ru(trpy)(Q)}₂O]²⁺.     

Density Functional Theory Calculations on Oxidative CC Bond Cleavage and NO Bond Formation of [RuII(bpy)2(diamine)]2+ via Reactive Ruthenium Imide Intermediates

DFT calculations are performed on [Ru^II(bpy)₂(tmen)]²⁺ ( M1 , tmen=2,3‐dimethyl‐2,3‐butanediamine) and [Ru^II(bpy)₂(heda)]²⁺ ( M2 , heda=2,5‐dimethyl‐2,5‐hexanediamine), and on the oxidation reactions of M1 to give the C?C bond cleavage product [Ru^II(bpy)₂(NH=CMe₂)₂]²⁺ ( M3 ) and the N?O bond formation product [Ru^II(bpy)₂(ONCMe₂CMe₂NO)]²⁺ ( M4 ). The calculated geometrical parameters and oxidation potentials are in good agreement with the experimental data. As revealed by the DFT calculations, [Ru^II(bpy)₂(tmen)]²⁺ ( M1 ) can undergo oxidative deprotonation to generate Ru‐bis(imide) [Ru(bpy)₂(tmen‐4 H)]⁺ ( A ) or Ru‐imide/amide [Ru(bpy)₂(tmen‐3 H)]²⁺ ( A′ ) intermediates. Both A and A′ are prone to C?C bond cleavage, with low reaction barriers (ΔG^≠) of 6.8 and 2.9 kcal mol^?1 for their doublet spin states ² A and ² A′ , respectively. The calculated reaction barrier for the nucleophilic attack of water molecules on ² A′ is relatively high (14.2 kcal mol^?1). These calculation results are in agreement with the formation of the Ru^II‐bis(imine) complex M3 from the electrochemical oxidation of M1 in aqueous solution. The oxidation of M1 with Ce^IV in aqueous solution to afford the Ru^II‐dinitrosoalkane complex M4 is proposed to proceed by attack of the cerium oxidant on the ruthenium imide intermediate. The findings of ESI‐MS experiments are consistent with the generation of a ruthenium imide intermediate in the course of the oxidation.     

Mixed-valence properties of Ruthenium–Polypyridine dimers bridged by Imidazolate and Triazolate Ligands

The dinuclear complex cis,cis-[(bpy)₂ClRu(μ-bim)RuCl(bpy)₂] ^{n +} (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; bim = benzimidazolate; n = 1, 2, or 3) was synthesized, isolated as a hexafluorophosphate salt, and investigated in organic solutions by cyclic voltammetry and UV/visible/NIR spectroelectrochemistry. The mixed-valent species (n = 2) displays significant metal–metal electronic coupling in the ground state but exhibits localized Ru(III) and Ru(II) oxidation states, as deduced from its intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) band and redox parameters. On the basis of the resonance energy (H _AB) estimated in the context of Hush's semiclassical theory, the extent of intermetallic communication was found to be larger than that recently reported for the bta-bridged analog (bta = benzotriazolate). Some differences between the IVCT features of these systems have been rationalized in terms of the degree of σ,π-basic character of the bridging ligands, according to an electron superexchange mechanism of the “hole-transfer” type. The stabilization of the mixed-valent complexes is attributed mainly to cooperative metal-to-ligand/ligand-to-metal charge-transfer effects. The combined π-acceptor and σ,π-donor abilities of the ancillary (bpy) and bridging (bim or bta) ligands, respectively, are also responsible for the high stability of the fully oxidized (Ru^III–L–Ru^III) and fully reduced (Ru^II–L–Ru^II) isovalent species.     

Electrochemical detection of the oxidation of alcohols byN-hydroxyethylethylenediamminetriacetatoruthenate(IV)

The oxidation of [Ru^III(hedta)(H₂O)]=(1) to its Ru^IV monomeric complex at a glassy carbon electrode is abserved to promote oxidation of alcohols bearing an a-hydrogen (i-PrOH benzyl alcohol,sec-phenethyl alcohol). Tertiary substitution blocks the oxidation (t-BuOH). The oxidation of the alcohols is detected by an enhancement in the current of the Ru^IV/III waves at potentials above 0.96V, caused by scavenging (reduction) of Ru^IV by the alcohols. Binuclear complexes which possess Ru^IV bridged by oxo to either a second Ru^IV or to Ru^III in species of composition [LRuORuL]ⁿ⁻, L=hedta³⁻, fail to oxidize the alcohols. The terminal oxo moiety attached to Ru^IV is postulated to facilitate the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols in a manner analogous to Meyer's [RuO(trpy)(bpy)]²⁺ catalyst. The dissociation of the (III,IV) binuclear complex into its monomers provides a pathway which increases catalytic activity at the expense of the inactive (III, IV) binuclear complex's concentration. TMC 2531     

Comparative Study of Ruthenium(II) and Ruthenium(III) Complexes with the Ligand dmbpy (dmbpy = 4, 4′‐Dimethyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine)

The complex cis‐[Ru^III(dmbpy)₂Cl₂](PF₆) ( 2 ) (dmbpy = 4, 4′‐dimethyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine) was obtained from the reaction of cis‐[Ru^II(dmbpy)₂Cl₂] ( 1 ) with ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate followed by precipitation with saturated ammonium hexafluoridophosphate. The ¹H NMR spectrum of the Ru^III complex confirms the presence of paramagnetic metal atoms, whereas that of the Ru^II complex displays diamagnetism. The ³¹P NMR spectrum of the Ru^III complex shows one signal for the phosphorus atom of the PF₆^– ion. The perspective view of each [Ru^II/III(dmbpy)₂Cl₂]^0/+ unit manifests that the ruthenium atom is in hexacoordinate arrangement with two dmbpy ligands and two chlorido ligands in cis position. As the oxidation state of the central ruthenium metal atom becomes higher, the average Ru–Cl bond length decreases whereas the Ru–N (dmbpy) bond length increases. The cis‐positioned dichloro angle in Ru^III is 1.3° wider than that in the Ru^II. The dihedral angles between pair of planar six‐membered pyridyl ring in the dmbpy ligand for the Ru^II are 4.7(5)° and 5.7(4)°. The observed inter‐planar angle between two dmbpy ligands in the Ru^II is 89.08(15)°, whereas the value for the Ru^III is 85.46(20)°.     

Spectroscopic,Electrochemical and Computational Characterisation of Ru Species Involved in Catalytic Water Oxidation: Evidence for a [RuV(O)(Py2Metacn)] Intermediate

A new family of ruthenium complexes based on the N‐pentadentate ligand Py₂^Metacn (N‐methyl‐N′,N′′‐bis(2‐picolyl)‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) has been synthesised and its catalytic activity has been studied in the water‐oxidation (WO) reaction. We have used chemical oxidants (ceric ammonium nitrate and NaIO₄) to generate the WO intermediates [Ru^II(OH₂)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺, [Ru^III(OH₂)(Py₂^Metacn)]³⁺, [Ru^III(OH)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ and [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺, which have been characterised spectroscopically. Their relative redox and pH stability in water has been studied by using UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopies, HRMS and spectroelectrochemistry. [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ has a long half‐life (>48 h) in water. The catalytic cycle of WO has been elucidated by using kinetic, spectroscopic, ¹⁸O‐labelling and theoretical studies, and the conclusion is that the rate‐determining step is a single‐site water nucleophilic attack on a metal‐oxo species. Moreover, [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ is proposed to be the resting state under catalytic conditions. By monitoring Ce^IV consumption, we found that the O₂ evolution rate is redox‐controlled and independent of the initial concentration of Ce^IV. Based on these facts, we propose herein that [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ is oxidised to [Ru^V(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ prior to attack by a water molecule to give [Ru^III(OOH)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺. Finally, it is shown that the difference in WO reactivity between the homologous iron and ruthenium [M(OH₂)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ (M=Ru, Fe) complexes is due to the difference in the redox stability of the key M^V(O) intermediate. These results contribute to a better understanding of the WO mechanism and the differences between iron and ruthenium complexes in WO reactions.     

Stabilization of High‐Valence Ruthenium with Silicotungstate Ligands: Preparation,Structural Characterization,and Redox Studies of Ruthenium(III)‐Substituted α‐Keggin‐Type Silicotungstates with Pyridine Ligands, [SiW11O39RuIII(Py)]5−

Ruthenium(III)‐substituted α‐Keggin‐type silicotungstates with pyridine‐based ligands, [SiW₁₁O₃₉Ru^III(Py)]^5?, (Py: pyridine ( 1 ), 4‐pyridine‐carboxylic acid ( 2 ), 4,4′‐bipyridine ( 3 ), 4‐pyridine‐acetamide ( 4 ), and 4‐pyridine‐methanol ( 5 )) were prepared by reacting [SiW₁₁O₃₉Ru^III(H₂O)]^5? with the pyridine derivatives in water at 80 °C and then isolated as their hydrated cesium salts. These compounds were characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV), UV/Vis, IR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, titration, and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) analysis (Ru K‐edge and L₃‐edge). Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of compounds 2 , 3 , and 4 revealed that Ru^III was incorporated in the α‐Keggin framework and was coordinated by pyridine derivatives through a Ru? N bond. In the solid state, compounds 2 and 3 formed a dimer through π? π interaction of the pyridine moieties, whereas they existed as monomers in solution. CV indicated that the incorporated Ru^III–Py was reversibly oxidized into the Ru^IV–Py derivative and reduced into the Ru^II–Py derivative.     

On the Aqueous Chemistry of the UIV–DOTA Complex

The 1,4,7,10-tetrazacyclodecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) aqueous complex of U^IV with H₂O, OH⁻, and F⁻ as axial ligands was studied by using UV/Vis spectrophotometry, ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and electrochemistry. The U^IV–DOTA complex with either water or fluoride as axial ligands was found to be inert to oxidation by molecular oxygen, whereas the complex with hydroxide as an axial ligand slowly hydrolyzed and was oxidized by dioxygen to a diuranate precipitate. The combined data set acquired shows that, although axial substitution of fluoride and hydroxide ligands instead of water does not seem to significantly change the aqueous DOTA complex structure, it has an important effect on the electronic configuration of the complex. The U^IV/U^III redox couple was found to be quasi-reversible for the complex with both axially bonded H₂O and hydroxide, but irreversible for the complex with axially bonded fluoride. Intriguingly, binding of the axial fluoride renders the irreversible one-electron U^V/U^IV oxidation of the [U^IV(DOTA)(H₂O)] complex quasi-reversible, which suggests the formation of the short-lived pentavalent form of the complex, an aqueous non-uranyl chelated U^V cation.     

Chemical and Photochemical Water Oxidation Catalyzed by Mononuclear Ruthenium Complexes with a Negatively Charged Tridentate Ligand

Two mononuclear ruthenium complexes [RuL(pic)₃] ( 1 ) and [RuL(bpy)(pic)] ( 2 ) (H₂L=2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid, pic=4‐picoline, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) have been synthesized and fully characterized. Both complexes could promote water oxidation chemically and photochemically. Compared with other known ruthenium‐based water oxidation catalysts using [Ce(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆] (Ce^IV) as the oxidant in solution at pH 1.0, complex 1 is one of the most active catalysts yet reported with an initial rate of 0.23 turnover s^?1. Under acidic conditions, the equatorial 4‐picoline in complex 1 dissociates first. In addition, ligand exchange in 1 occurs when the Ru^III state is reached. Based on the above observations and MS measurements of the intermediates during water oxidation by 1 using Ce^IV as oxidant, [RuL(pic)₂(H₂O)]⁺ is proposed as the real water oxidation catalyst.     

Water Oxidation by In Situ Generated [RuII(OH2)(NCNHCO)(pic)2]+

A dinuclear ruthenium complex [Ru^II(NC^NHC O)(pic)₂]₂²⁺ ( 2 ) was firstly prepared and characterized spectroscopically and electrochemically. Instead of the conventional ligand exchange, complex 2 dissociates in situ to afford two single‐site Ru aqua complexes, [Ru^II(OH₂)(NC^NHC O)(pic)₂]⁺, which mediates water oxidation through proton‐coupled electron transfer events. In electrokinetic studies, complex 2 demonstrated a TOF of 150.3 s⁻¹ comparable to those state‐of‐the‐art catalysts at neutral conditions. TONs of 2173 and 217 were attained in chemical and photochemical water oxidation when 2 was used as a catalyst, exhibiting good stability. Notably, a TOF of 1.3 s⁻¹ was achieved at CAN‐driven water oxidation, which outperformed most of the reported single‐site Ru complexes, indicating that complex 2 is one of most active water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) to date. The unique coordination configuration and outstanding catalytic performance of complex 2 might shed light on the design of novel molecular WOCs.     

Electrochemical behaviour of [Ru(L)(CO)2Cl2] [Ru(L)(CO)Cl3][Me4N] and [Ru(L)(CO)2(CH3CN)2][CF3SO3]2 complexes (L = 2,2′- bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine)

The clectrochemical behaviour of the complexes [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂], [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ (L = 2,2′-bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine) has been investigated in CH₃CN. The oxidation of [Ru(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] produces new complexes [Ru^III(L)(CO)(CH₃CN)₂Cl]²⁺ as a consequence of the instability of the electrogenerated transient Ru^III species [Ru^III(L)(CO)₂Cl₂]⁺. In contrast, the oxidation of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] produces the stable [Ru^III(L)(CO)Cl₃] complex. In contrast [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ is not oxidized in the range up to the most positive potentials achievable. The reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ results in the formation of identical dark blue strongly adherent electroactive films. These films exhibit the characteristics of a metal-metal bond dimer structure. No films are obtained on reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N]. The effect of the substitution of the bipyridine ligand by electron-withdrawing carboxy ester groups on the electrochemical behaviour of all these complexes has also been investigated.     

Enhancement of Solar Fuel Production Schemes by Using a Ru,Rh,Ru Supramolecular Photocatalyst Containing Hydroxide Labile Ligands

Polyazine‐bridged Ru^IIRh^IIIRu^II complexes with two halide ligands, Cl^? or Br^?, bound to the catalytically active Rh center are efficient single‐component photocatalysts for H₂O reduction to H₂ fuel, with the coordination environment on Rh impacting photocatalysis. Herein reported is a new, halide‐free Ru^IIRh^IIIRu^II photocatalyst with OH^? ligands bound to Rh, further enhancing the photocatalytic reactivity of the structural motif. H₂ production experiments using the photocatalyst bearing OH^? ligands at Rh relative to the analogues bearing halides at Rh in solvents of varying polarity (DMF, CH₃CN, and H₂O) suggest that ion pairing with halides deactivates photocatalyst function, representing an exciting phenomenon to exploit in the development of catalysts for solar H₂ production schemes.