Aryl-diamide bridged binuclear ruthenium (II) tris(bipyridine) complexes: Synthesis, photophysical, electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence properties

Several new symmetrical aromatic hydrocarbon bridged bipyridine ligands and their binuclear Ru (II) complexes have been designed, synthesized and characterized on the basis of ¹H NMR, MS and HRMS. Their absorption and emission properties, electrochemical behaviors and electrochemical luminescence were investigated. All ruthenium complexes show characteristic MLCT absorption and similar redox potential. Among the three complexes reported, 4c has the best electrochemical luminescence property.     

Synthesis,photophysical, and electrochemical properties of two polynuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes containing diazafluorene

Two polypodands, tetrakis[2-(4,5-diazafluoren-9-ylimino)phenoxymethyl]methane (L¹) and 1,1,1-tris[2-(4,5-diazafluoren-9-ylimino)phenoxymethyl]propane (L²), and their corresponding Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The photophysical behaviors of the two complexes were investigated by UV–vis absorption and emission spectroscopy. They display metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorptions at around 443 nm in MeCN solution at room temperature and emission at around 573 nm in EtOH:MeOH (4:1) glassy matrix at 77 K. Electrochemical studies of the two complexes show one Ru(II)-centered oxidation at around 1.35 V and three ligand-centered reductions.     

Antibacterial activity of ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes containing tetradentate Schiff bases

Several new hexa-coordinated ruthenium(II) complexes of the type [Ru(CO)(LL)(B)] (where, LL = anthacac, anthdibm, 2-amtpacac or 2-amtpdibm; B = PPh₃ or py or pip or morph) have been prepared by reacting [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] or [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂(B)] with tetradentate Schiff bases such as bis(anthranilic acid)acetylacetimine (H₂-anthacac), bis(anthranilic acid) dibenzoylmethimine (H₂-anthdibm), bis(2-aminothiophenol) acetylacetimine (H₂-2-amptacac) or bis(2-aminothiophenol) dibenzoylmethimine (H₂-2-amtpdibm). The complexes have been characterised by elemental analyses and spectral (i.r., electronic spectra, ¹H- and ³¹P-n.m.r.) data. An octahedral structure has been tentatively proposed for the complexes, which were also tested for their antibacterial properties.     

Preparation, photophysical, and electrochemical properties of two tetranuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes containing 4,5-diazafluorene

Two tetrapodal ligands L¹ and L² containing 4,5-diazafluorene units have been synthesized and characterized. Both ligands are composed of two kinds of nonequivalent coordinating sites: one involves the 4-(4,5-diazafluoren-9-ylimino)phenoxy moiety, and the other one involves the 2-(4,5-diazafluoren-9-ylimino)phenoxy moiety. The Ru(II) complexes [(bpy)₈Ru₄(L¹)](PF₆)₈ and [(bpy)₈Ru₄(L²)](PF₆)₈ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been obtained by refluxing Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂·2H₂O and each ligand in 2-methoxyethanol. Both complexes exhibit metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorptions at around 443 nm and emission at around 574 nm. Electrochemical studies of both complexes display one Ru(II)-centered oxidation at around 1.33 V and three ligand-centered reductions.     

Synthesis,characterization and biocidal studies of ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes containing tetradentate Schiff bases

Stable ruthenium(II) complexes of Schiff bases have been prepared by reacting [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂(B)] (B = PPh₃, pyridine or piperidine) with bis(o-vanillin)ethylenediimine (valen), bis(o-vanillin)propylene-diimine (valpn), bis(o-vanillin)tetramethylenediimine (valtn), bis(o-vanillin)o-phenylenediimine (valphn), bis(salicylaldehyde)tetramethylenediimine (saltn) and bis(salicylaldehyde)o-phenylenediimine (salphn). These complexes have been characterised by elemental analyses, i.r., electronic, ¹H- and ³¹P{¹H}-n.m.r. spectral studies. In all the above reactions, the Schiff bases replace two molecules of Ph₃P, a hydride and a halide ion from the starting complexes, indicating that the Ru–N bonds present in the complexes containing heterocyclic nitrogen bases are stronger than the Ru–P bond to Ph₃P. The new complexes of the general formula [Ru(CO)(B)(L)] (B = PPh₃, py or pip; L = tetradentate Schiff bases) have been assigned an octahedral structure. Some of the Schiff bases and the new complexes have been tested against the pathogenic fungus Fusarium sp.     

Absorption spectra, photophysical properties, and redox behavior of ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes containing accessory dipyrromethene-BF2 chromophores

The six multichromophoric species 1-6, containing the potentially luminescent Ru(II) polypyridine subunits and 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene fluorophores (dipyrromethene-BF(2) dyes, herein after called bodipy), have been prepared and their absorption spectra, luminescence properties (both at room temperature in fluid solution and at 77 K in rigid matrix), and redox properties have been investigated (for the structuralformulas of all the compounds, see Figure 1). For comparison purposes, also the same properties of the bodipy-based free ligands have been examined. Three of the multichromophoric species (1-3) are based on the Ru(bpy)(3)-type metal subunit, whereas 4-6 are based on the Ru(terpy)(2)-type metal subunit. Transient absorption spectroscopy at room temperature of all the compounds has also been performed. The absorption spectra of all the metal complexes show features that can be assigned to the Ru(II) polypyridine subunits and to the bodipy centers. In particular, the lowest energy spin-allowed pi-pi* transition of the bodipy groups dominates the visible region, peaking at about 530 nm. All the new complexes exhibit a rich redox behavior, with reversible processes attributed to specific sites, indicating a small perturbation of each redox center and therefore highlighting the supramolecular nature of the multichromophoric assemblies. Despite the good luminescence properties of the separated components, 1-6 do not exhibit any luminescence at room temperature; however, transient absorption spectroscopy evidences that for all of them a long-lived (microsecond time scale) excited state is formed, which is identified as the bodipy-based triplet state. Pump-probe transient absorption spectroscopy suggests that such a triplet state is formed from the promptly prepared bodipy-based (1)pi-pi* state in most cases by the intervention of a charge-separated level. At 77 K, all the complexes except complex 1 exhibit the bodipy-based fluorescence, although with a slightly shortened lifetime compared to the corresponding free ligand(s), and 4-6 also exhibit a phosphorescence assigned to the bodipy subunits. Phosphorescence of bodipy species had never been reported in the literature to the best of our knowledge: in the present cases we propose that it is an effective decay process thanks to the presence of the ruthenium heavy atom and of the closely lying (3)MLCT state of the Ru(terpy)(2)-type subunits.     

Effect of the parent ligand on the photophysical properties of closely-coupled, binuclear ruthenium(II) tris(2,2'-bipyridine) complexes

The photophysical properties of closely-coupled, binuclear complexes formed by connecting two ruthenium(II) tris(2,2'-bipyridine) complexes via an alkynylene group differ significantly from those of the relevant mononuclear complex. In particular, the energy of the first triplet excited state is lowered relative to the parent complex, because of the presence of the alkynylene substituent, while the triplet lifetime is prolonged, in part, because of extended electron delocalization. We now report that the triplet lifetime is also affected by the nature of the spectator 2,2'-bipyridyl ligands. Thus, replacing the parent 2,2'-bipyridine ligands with the corresponding 4,4'-dinitro-substituted ligands serves to decrease the luminescence yield and lifetime. With the corresponding carboxylate ester, the luminescence yield and lifetime are increased. Perdeuteration of the parent 2,2'-bipyridine ligands also leads to a modest increase in the luminescence yield. Such observations are indicative of electronic coupling between the various metal-to-ligand, charge-transfer excited triplet states. Temperature dependence studies confirm that these excited states are closely spaced and thermally accessible at ambient temperature. For some of the binuclear complexes, the quantum yield for formation of the lowest-energy triplet state is significantly less than unity.     

Luminescent bis-tridentate ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes based on terpyridyl-imidazole ligand: synthesis, structural characterization, photophysical, electrochemical, and solvent dependence studies

Homo- and heteroleptic bis-tridentate ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes of compositions [(tpy-PhCH(3))Ru(tpy-HImzPh(3))](ClO(4))(2) (1), [(H(2)pbbzim)Ru(tpy-HImzPh(3))] (ClO(4))(2) (2) and [M(tpy-HImzPh(3))(2)](ClO(4))(2) [M = Ru(II) (3) and Os(II) (4)], where tpy-PhCH(3) = p-methylphenyl terpyridine, H(2)pbbzim = 2,6-bis(benzimidazole-2-yl)pyridine and tpy-HImzPh(3) = 4'-[4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-phenyl]-[2,2':6',2']terpyridine, have been synthesized and characterized by using standard analytical and spectroscopic techniques. These compounds were designed to increase the room temperature excited-state lifetimes of bisterpyridine-type ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes. The X-ray crystal structures of two homoleptic complexes 3 and 4 have been determined and show that both the compounds crystallized in orthorhombic form with space group Fddd. The photophysical and redox properties of the complexes have been thoroughly investigated. All the complexes display moderately strong luminescence at room temperature with lifetimes in the range of 6-35 ns. The complexes are found to undergo one reversible oxidation in the positive potential window (0 to +1.6 V) and one irreversible and two successive quasi-reversible reductions in the negative potential window (0 to -2.0 V). The influence of solvents on the photophysical properties of the complexes has also been investigated in detail.     

One-pot synthesis of 2,5-diethynyl-3,4-dibutylthiophene substituted multitopic bipyridine ligands: redox and photophysical properties of their ruthenium(II) complexes

A facile and original synthesis of four 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) ligands grafted with thiophene subunits is described using phase transfer experimental conditions: related Ru(II) complexes exhibit well-defined redox and photophysical properties which were probed by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis, steady-state emission and transient absorption spectroscopy.     

Cationic palladium(II), platinum(II) and ruthenium(II) complexes containing a chelating difluoro-substituted thiourea ligand

The fluorine substituted thiourea 2,6-F₂C₆H₃C(O)NHC(S)NEt₂ was prepared in good yield from the reaction of 2,6-F₂C₆H₃C(O)Cl with KSCN and Et₂NH in acetone. Using this compound several heteroleptic, monocationic Pd(II), Pt(II) and Ru(II) complexes of the type cis-[M{κ²S,O-2,6-F₂C₆H₃C(O)NC(S)NEt₂}(L)]PF₆ [M = Pt, Pd; L = (Ph₃P)₂, ^tBu₂bipy, 1,10-phen] as well as [Ru(η⁶-p-cym){κ²S,O-2,6-F₂C₆H₃C(O)NC(S)NEt₂}(PPh₃)]PF₆ were prepared in high yields. The compounds were characterised by spectroscopic methods and, in one case, by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, photophysical, electrochemical, and anion-sensing studies of luminescent homo- and heteroleptic ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes based on terpyridyl-imidazole ligand

A series of hetero- and homoleptic tridentate ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes of compositions [(tpy-PhCH(3))Ru(tpy-HImzphen)](ClO(4))(2) (1), [(H(2)pbbzim)Ru(tpy-HImzphen)](ClO(4))(2) (2), and [M(tpy-HImzphen)(2)](ClO(4))(2) [M = Ru(II) (3) and Os(II) (4)], where tpy-PhCH(3) = 4'-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine, H(2)pbbzim = 2,6-bis(benzimidazole-2-yl)pyridine and tpy-HImzphen = 2-(4-[2,2':6',2"]terpyridine-4'-yl-phenyl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole, have been synthesized and characterized by using standard analytical and spectroscopic techniques. X-ray crystal structures of three complexes 2, 3, and 4 have been determined. The absorption spectra, redox behavior, and luminescence properties of the complexes have been thoroughly investigated. All of the complexes display moderately strong luminescence at room temperature with lifetimes in the range of 10-55 ns. The effect of solvents on the absorption and emission spectral behavior of the complexes has also been studied in detail. The anion sensing properties of all the complexes have been studied in solution using absorption, emission, and (1)H NMR spectral studies and by cyclic voltammetric (CV) measurements. It has been observed that the complexes 1, 3, and 4 act as sensors for F(-)only, whereas 2 acts as sensor for F(-), AcO(-), and to some extent for H(2)PO(4)(-). It is evident that in the presence of excess of anions deprotonation of the imidazole N-H fragment(s) occurs in all cases, an event which is signaled by the development of vivid colors visible with the naked eye. The receptor-anion binding/equilibrium constants have been evaluated.     

Ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes containing tetradentate Schiffbases

Ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes of general formula [Ru(CO)(B)(L)] [where B = PPh3, pyridine (py), piperidine (pip); L = the dianionic tetradentate Schiff bases derived from the condensation of acetylacetone or benzoylacetone with ethylenediamine, propylenediamine or trimethylenediamine] have been synthesised by reacting [RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)2(B)] (B = PPh3, py or pip) with bis(acetylacetone)ethylenediimine, bis(acetylacetone)propylenediimine, bis(acetylacetone)trimethylenedi- imine, bis(benzoylacetone)ethylenediimine, bis(benzoylacetone)propylenediimine or bis(benzoylacetone)trimethylenediimine. The complexes were characterised onthe basis of elemental analyses, i.r., electronic and 1H- and 31P{1H}-n.m.r. spectral studies. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Quinoxaline-based conjugated polymers containing ruthenium(II) bipyridine metal complex

A series of novel quinoxaline-based conjugated polymers which contain a ruthenium(II) bipyridine complex were synthesized by the Suzuki coupling reactions. UV/VIS spectroscopy showed that the spectral features of the polymers are dependent on the amount of metal complex present. Results from excitation and emission spectroscopy suggest an energy transfer between the backbone and the metal complex. The polymers exhibit hole carrier mobilities of ≈ 10⁻⁵ cm² · V⁻¹ · s⁻¹, which is comparable to organic photoconductors.     

Mono- and dinuclear cyanodithioformate complexes of bis(bipyridine)ruthenium(II)

Summary A series of mono- and dinuclear cyanodithioformate complexes containing (bipy)₂Ru^II and CpRu^II moieties were prepared. The complexes were characterized using various physico-chemical techniques; spectral and electro-chemical studies of selected complexes were also made.     

Electronic structures,photophysical properties,and electrochemistry of ruthenium(II)(bpy)2 pyridylimidazole complexes

The properties of Ru^II complexes involving the imidazole moiety are discussed. Complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(L)]²⁺ [bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, L = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole (2-pimH) and 4-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole (4-pimH)] have been synthesized and fully characterized. Reduction potentials are 0.76 V vs. Fc⁺/Fc⁰ for both complexes in acetonitrile solution, and the deprotonated complexes undergo irreversible electrochemical oxidation at 0.38 V vs. Fc⁺/Fc⁰. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that oxidation of the protonated complexes is primarily metal-based and that of the deprotonated complexes is ligand-centered. The pK_a of the 4-pimH complex was found to be 9.7 ± 0.2; the pK_a of the 2-pimH complex is 7.9 ± 0.2. Luminescence lifetimes (L = 4-pimH, 277 ns; 2-pimH, 224 ns; 4pim^?, 40 ns; 2pim^?, 34 ns in 5% methanol/water solution) combined with quantum yield data and acid–base behavior suggest that the non-coordinated imidazole nitrogen tunes deactivation pathways.     

A new strategy for the improvement of photophysical properties in ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes. Synthesis and photophysical and electrochemical characterization of six mononuclear ruthenium(II) bisterpyridine-type complexes

The synthesis and characterization of six ruthenium(II) bistridentate polypyridyl complexes is described. These were designed on the basis of a new approach to increase the excited-state lifetime of ruthenium(II) bisterpyridine-type complexes. By the use of a bipyridylpyridyl methane ligand in place of terpyridine, the coordination environment of the metal ion becomes nearly octahedral and the rate of deactivation via ligand-field (i.e., metal-centered) states was reduced as shown by temperature-dependent emission lifetime studies. Still, the possibility to make quasi-linear donor-ruthenium-acceptor triads is maintained in the complexes. The most promising complex shows an excited-state lifetime of tau = 15 ns in alcohol solutions at room temperature, which should be compared to a lifetime of tau = 0.25 ns for [Ru(tpy)2]2+. The X-ray structure of the new complex indeed shows a more octahedral geometry than that of [Ru(tpy)2]2+. Most importantly, the high excited-state energy was retained, and thus, so was the potential high reactivity of the excited complex, which has not been the case with previously published strategies based on bistridentate complexes.     

Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity of novel dinuclear platinum(II) complexes containing a chiral tetradentate ligand

A series of novel dinuclear platinum(II) complexes with a chiral tetradentate ligand, (1R,1′R,2R,2′R)-N¹,N¹′-(1,2-phenylenebis(methylene))dicyclohexane-1,2-diamine (HL), and mono-carboxylic acid derivatives as ligands have been designed, synthesized, and characterized. In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of synthesized complexes against human HepG-2, A549, HCT-116, and MCF-7 cancer cell lines has been conducted by MTT assays. All compounds showed antitumor activity to HepG-2 and HCT-116 cell lines. Compound L2 exhibited better cytotoxicity than that of carboplatin against HepG-2 and A549 cell lines and also showed comparable activity against HCT-116 cell line.     

Singlet and triplet energy transfer processes in ruthenium(II) bipyridine complexes containing covalently bound arenes

Singlet and triplet energy transfer processes in [Ru(bipy)₂(4-methyl-4′-(2-arylethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine)]²⁺ have been investigated, where ARYL = 2-naphthyl (Ru-Naph), 9-anthryl (Ru-Anth) and 1-pyrenyl (Ru-Pyrene). In each case fluorescence from the aromatic chromophore is quenched by intramolecular energy transfer to Ru(bipy)₃²⁺ whereas emission from the Ru(bipy)₃²⁺ moiety is controlled by the relative energy of its ³MLCT state and the pendant arene triplet states. Consequently ³MLCT emission is observed for Ru-Naph whereas it is fully quenched for Ru-Anth. When the two states are isoenergetic (e.g. Ru-Pyrene) a long-lived ³MLCT emission is observed which delays with the same lifetime as the pyrene triplet state (5.23 μs).     

Bis(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes with an aliphatic sulfinato donor: synthesis, characterization, and properties

Treatment of a thiolato-bridged Ru(II)Ag(I)Ru(II) trinuclear complex, [Ag{Ru(aet)(bpy)(2)}(2)](3+) (aet = 2-aminoethanthiolate; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), with NaI in aqueous ethanol under an aerobic condition afforded a mononuclear ruthenium(II) complex having an S-bonded sulfinato group, [1](+) ([Ru(aesi-N, S)(bpy)(2)](+) (aesi = 2-aminoethanesulfinate)). Similar treatment of optically active isomers of an analogous Ru(II)Ag(I)Ru(II) trinuclear complex, Δ(D)Δ(D)- and Λ(D)Λ(D)-[Ag{Ru(d-Hpen-O,S)(bpy)(2)}(2)](3+) (d-pen = d-penicillaminate), with NaI also produced mononuclear ruthenium(II) isomers with an S-bonded sulfinato group, Δ(D)- and Λ(D)-[2](+) ([Ru(d-Hpsi-O,S)(bpy)(2)](+) (d-psi = d-penicillaminesulfinate)), respectively, retaining the bidentate-O,S coordination mode of a d-Hpen ligand and the absolute configuration (Δ or Λ) about a Ru(II) center. On refluxing in water, the Δ(D) isomer of [2](+) underwent a linkage isomerization to form Δ(D)-[3] (+) ([Ru(d-Hpsi-N,S)(bpy)(2)](+)), in which a d-Hpsi ligand coordinates to a Ru(II) center in a bidentate-N,S mode. Complexes [1](+), Δ(D)- and Λ(D)-[2](+), and Δ(D)-[3](+) were fully characterized by electronic absorption, CD, NMR, and IR spectroscopies, together with single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical properties of these complexes, which are highly dependent on the coordination mode of sulfinate ligands, are also described.