A redox series of gallium(III) complexes: ligand-based two-electron oxidation affords a gallium-thiolate complex

We have prepared a series of gallium(III) complexes of the redox active iminopyridine ligand (IP). Reaction of GaCl(3) with iminopyridine ligand (IP) in the presence of either two or four equivalents of sodium metal resulted in the formation of deep green (IP(-))(2)GaCl (1), or deep purple [(DME)(3)Na][(IP(2-))(2)Ga] (2a), respectively. Complex 1 is paramagnetic with a room temperature magnetic moment of 2.3 μ(B) which falls to 0.5 μ(B) at 5 K. These observations indicate that two ligand radicals comprise a triplet at room temperature which becomes a singlet due to antiferromagnetic coupling at low temperature. Complex 2 is diamagnetic. Cyclic voltammograms recorded on 0.3 M Bu(4)NPF(6) THF solutions of [Na(THF)(6)][(IP(2-))(2)Ga](-) (2b) indicate that oxidation of 2b occurs in two two-electron steps at -1.31 V and -0.54 V vs. SCE. The observation of two-electron redox events indicates that electronic coupling through the gallium(III) center is minimal and that the two IP ligand on 2b are oxidized concurrently. Oxidation of 2 with one equivalent of MeS-SMe afforded the two-electron oxidized product (IP(-))(2)Ga(SMe) (3). This complex has an electronic structure analogous to 1. Accordingly, both 1 and 3 are deep green in color and magnetic susceptibility measurements performed on 3 confirm the triplet character of the complex at room temperature. Electron paramagnetic resonance experiments on 1 and 3 display a quartet signal at g = 2.0 which confirmed the triplet nature of the compounds, and a half field signal consistent with the integer spin state.     

How to make a major shift in a redox potential: ligand control of the oxidation state of dimolybdenum units

A compound reported earlier (Polyhedron 1989, 8, 2339) as (Bu(n)()(4)N)(2)H(2)[Mo(2)[Mo(CO)(4)(PhPO(2))(2)](2)] has been reexamined. We find that the hydrogen atoms in this formula are not present. Therefore, the complex must be considered as having a central triply bonded Mo(2)(6+) unit, instead of a quadruply bonded Mo(2)(4+) unit. Our conclusion is based on a variety of experimental evidence, including X-ray crystal structures of four crystal forms, as well as the neutron crystal structure of one. This explains the relatively long Mo-Mo bond lengths found in the range 2.1874(7)-2.2225(7) A and the absence of a delta --> delta transition in the visible spectrum. From electrochemistry we also find that the diphosphonate ligand has such an exceptional ability to stabilize higher oxidation states that even common solvents such as CH(2)Cl(2) and C(2)H(5)OH readily oxidize the Mo(2)(4+) unit that is introduced from the Mo(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(4) or [Mo(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(NCCH(3))(6)](BF(4))(2) employed in the preparation. The only chemically reversible wave at E(1/2) = -1.54 V vs Ag/AgCl corresponds to the reduction process Mo(2)(6+) --> Mo(2)(5+).     

Monomeric and dimeric copper(II) complexes of a novel tripodal peptide ligand: structures stabilized via hydrogen bonding or ligand sharing

The novel tripodal ligand N-(bis(2-pyridyl)methyl)-2-pyridinecarboxamide (Py3AH) affords monomeric and dimeric copper(II) complexes with coordinated carboxamido nitrogens. Although many chloro-bridged dimeric copper(II) complexes are known, [Cu(Py3A)(Cl)] (1) remains monomeric and planar with a pendant pyridine and does not form either a chloro-bridged dimer or the ligand-shared dimeric complex [Cu(Py3A)(Cl)]2 (4) in solvents such as CH3CN. When 1 is dissolved in alcohols, square pyramidal alcohol adducts [Cu(Py3A)(Cl)(CH3OH)] (2) and [Cu(Py3A)(Cl)(C2H5OH)] (3) are readily formed. In 2 and 3, the ROH molecules are bound at axial site of copper(II) and the weak axial binding of the ROH molecule is strengthened by intramolecular hydrogen bonding between ROH and the pendant pyridine nitrogen. Two ligand-shared dimeric species [Cu(Py3A)(Cl)]2 (4) and [Cu(Py3A)]2(ClO4)2 (5) have also been synthesized in which the pendant pyridine of one [Cu(Py3A)] unit completes the coordination sphere of the other [Cu(Py3A)] neighbor. These ligand-shared dimers are obtained in aqueous solutions or in complete absence of chloride in the reaction mixtures.     

Arene-mercury complexes stabilized by aluminum and gallium chloride: catalysts for H/D exchange of aromatic compounds

Dissolution of Hg(arene)(2)(MCl(4))(2) [arene = C(6)H(5)Me, C(6)H(5)Et, o-C(6)H(4)Me(2), C(6)H(3)-1,2,3-Me(3); M = Al, Ga] in C(6)D(6) results in a rapid H/D exchange and the formation of the appropriate d(n)-arene and C(6)D(5)H. H/D exchange is also observed between C(6)D(6) and the liquid clathrate ionic complexes, [Hg(arene)(2)(MCl(4))][MCl(4)], formed by dissolution of HgCl(2) and MCl(3) in C(6)H(6), m-C(6)H(4)Me(2), or p-C(6)H(4)Me(2). The H/D exchange reaction is found to be catalytic with respect to Hg(arene)(2)(MCl(4))(2) and independent of the initial arene ligand. Reaction of a 1:1 ratio of C(6)H(5)Me and C(6)D(6) with <0.1 mol % Hg(C(6)H(5)Me)(2)(MCl(4))(2) results in an equilibrium mixture of all isotopic isomers: C(6)H(5-x)D(x)Me and C(6)D(6-x)H(x) (x = 0-5). DFT calculations on the model system, Hg(C(6)H(6))(2)(AlCl(4))(2) and [Hg(C(6)H(6))(2)(AlCl(4))](+), show that the charge on the carbon and proton associated with the shortest Hg...C interactions is significantly higher than that on uncomplexed benzene or HgCl(2)(C(6)H(6))(2). The protonation of benzene by either Hg(C(6)H(6))(2)(AlCl(4))(2) or [Hg(C(6)H(6))(2)(AlCl(4))](+) was calculated to be thermodynamically favored in comparison to protonation of benzene by HO(2)CCF(3), a known catalyst for arene H/D exchange. Arene exchange and intramolecular hydrogen transfer reactions are also investigated by DFT calculations.     

Proton control of oxidation and spin state in a series of iron tripodal imidazole complexes

Reaction of iron salts with three tripodal imidazole ligands, H(3)(1), H(3)(2), H(3)(3), formed from the condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) with 3 equiv of an imidazole carboxaldehyde yielded eight new cationic iron(III) and iron(II), [FeH(3)L](3+or2+), and neutral iron(III), FeL, complexes. All complexes were characterized by EA(CHN), IR, UV, M?ssbauer, mass spectral techniques and cyclic voltammetry. Structures of three of the complexes, Fe(2).3H(2)O (C(18)H(27)FeN(10)O(3), a = b = c = 20.2707(5), cubic, I3d, Z = 16), Fe(3).4.5H(2)O (C(18)H(30)FeN(10)O(4.5), a = 20.9986(10), b = 11.7098(5), c = 19.9405(9), beta = 109.141(1), monoclinic, P2(1)/c), Z = 8), and [FeH(3)(3)](ClO(4))(2).H(2)O (C(18)H(26)Cl(2)FeN(10)O(9), a = 9.4848(4), b = 23.2354(9), c = 12.2048(5), beta = 111.147(1) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, Z = 4) were determined at 100 K. The structures are similar to one another and feature an octahedral iron with facial coordination of imidazoles and imine nitrogen atoms. The iron(III) complexes of the deprotonated ligands, Fe(1), Fe(2), and Fe(3), are low-spin while the protonated iron(III) cationic complexes, [FeH(3)(1)](ClO(4))(3) and [FeH(3)(2)](ClO(4))(3), are high-spin and spin-crossover, respectively. The iron(II) cationic complexes, [FeH(3)(1)]S(4)O(6), [FeH(3)(2)](ClO(4))(2), [FeH(3)(3)](ClO(4))(2), and [FeH(3)(3)][B(C(6)H(5))(4)](2) exhibit spin-crossover behavior. Cyclic voltammetric measurements on the series of complexes show that complete deprotonation of the ligands produces a negative shift in the Fe(III)/Fe(II) reduction potential of 981 mV on average. Deprotonation in air of either cationic iron(II) or iron(III) complexes, [FeH(3)L](3+or2+), yields the neutral iron(III) complex, FeL. The process is reversible for Fe(3), where protonation of Fe(3) yields [FeH(3)(3)](2+).     

Metal and ligand K-edge XAS of titanium-TEMPO complexes: determination of oxidation states and insights into Ti-O bond homolysis

Ti-TEMPO (TEMPO = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl) provides a means for generating Ti(III) complexes by homolysis of the Ti-O bond. It has been determined that bis-Cp-Ti-TEMPO complexes readily undergo homolytic cleavage while the mono-Cp-Ti-TEMPO complexes do not. Here Ti K- and Cl K-edge XAS are applied to directly determine the oxidation state of TiCl3TEMPO, TiCpCl2TEMPO, and TiCp2ClTEMPO, with reference to Ti(III) and Ti(IV) complexes of known oxidation state. The Ti K-edge data show that Ti(III) complexes exhibit a pre-edge feature approximately 1 eV lower than any of the Ti(IV) complexes; while the Cl K-edges show that Ti(III) complexes have a Cl K- pre-edge feature to approximately 1 eV higher energy than any of the Ti(IV) complexes. Taken together, the Ti and Cl K-edge data indicate that the Ti-TEMPO complexes are best described as Ti(IV)-TEMPO anions (rather than Ti(III)-nitroxyl radicals). In addition, the Cl K-edges indicate that replacement of Cl by Cp weakens the bonding with the remaining ligands, with the Cl 3p covalency decreasing from 25% to 21% to 17% on going from TiCl3TEMPO to TiCpCl2TEMPO to TiCp2ClTEMPO. DFT calculations also show that the electronic structures of the Ti-TEMPO complexes are modulated by the replacement of chloride by Cp. The effect of the Cp on the ancillary ligation is one factor that contributes to facile Ti-O bond homolysis in TiCp2ClTEMPO. However, the results indicate the primary contribution to the energetics of Ti-O bond homolysis in TiCp2ClTEMPO is stabilization of the three-coordinate product by Cp.     

Synthesis, structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterization of high oxidation state diruthenium complexes containing four identical unsymmetrical bridging ligands

Six Ru2(6+) derivatives of the form Ru2(L)4(C[triple bond]CC6H5)(2), where L = 2-Fap, 2,3-F(2)ap, 2,4-F(2)ap, 2,5-F(2)ap, 3,4-F(2)ap, or 2,4,6-F(3)ap, are synthesized and characterized as to their electrochemical, spectroscopic, and/or structural properties. These compounds are synthesized from a reaction between LiC[triple bond]CC6H5 and Ru2(L)4Cl. Two of the investigated complexes exist in a (4,0) isomeric form while four adopt a (3,1) geometric conformation. These two series of geometric isomers are compared with previously characterized (4,0) Ru2(ap)4(C[triple bond]CC6H5)(2), (4,0) Ru2(F5ap)4(C[triple bond]CC6H5)(2), and (3,1) Ru2(F5ap)4(C[triple bond]CC6H5)(2). The overall data on the nine compounds thus provide an opportunity to systematically examine how the electrochemical and structural properties of these Ru2(6+) complexes vary with respect to isomer type and electronic properties of the bridging ligands.     

A periodic walk: a series of first-row transition metal complexes with the pentadentate ligand PY5

A series of transition metal complexes derived from the pentadentate ligand PY5, 2,6-(bis-(bis-2-pyridyl)methoxymethane)pyridine, illustrates the intrinsic propensity of this ligand to complex metal ions. X-ray structural data are provided for six complexes (1-6) with cations of the general formula [M(II)(PY5)(Cl)](+), where M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn. In complexes 1-4 and 6, the metal ions are coordinated in a distorted-octahedral fashion; the four terminal pyridines of PY5 occupy the equatorial sites while the axial positions are occupied by the bridging pyridine of PY5 and a chloride anion. Major distortions from an ideal octahedral geometry arise from displacement of the metal atom from the equatorial plane toward the chloride ligand and from differences in pyridine-metal-pyridine bond angles. The series of complexes shows that M(II) ions are consistently accommodated in the ligand by displacement of the metal ion from the PY5 pocket, a tilting of the axial pyridine subunit, and nonsymmetrical pyridine subunit ligation in the equatorial plane. The displacement from the ligand pocket increases with the ionic radius of M(II). The axial pyridine tilt, however, is approximately the same for all complexes and appears to be independent of the electronic ground state of M(II). In complex 5, the Cu(II) ion is coordinated by only four of the five pyridine subunits of the ligand, resulting in a square-pyramidal complex. The overall structural similarity of 5 with the other complexes reflects the strong tendency of PY5 to enforce a distorted-octahedral coordination geometry. Complexes 1-6 are further characterized in terms of solution magnetic susceptibility, electrochemical behavior, and optical properties. These show the high-spin nature of the complexes and the anticipated stabilization of the divalent oxidation state.     

Bimetallic aluminum complexes supported by bis(salicylaldimine) ligand: Synthesis,characterization and ring-opening polymerization of lactide

Two types of bifunctional bis(salicylaldimine) ligands (syn-L and anti-L) were designed and synthesized to support bimetallic aluminum complexes.Owing to the rigid anthracene skeleton,syn-L and anti-L successfully locked two Al centers in close proximity (syn-Al2) and far apart (anti-Al2),respectively.The distance between two Al centers in syn-Al2 was defined by X-ray diffraction as 6.665 (A),which is far shorter than that in anti-Al2.In the presence of stoichiometrical BnOH,syn-Al2 and anti-Al2 were both efficient for ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-LA with the former being more active.In the presence of excess BnOH,syn-Al2 showed an efficient and immortal feature,consistent with high conversions,matched Mns,narrow molecular weight distributions and end group fidelity,while anti-Al2 had a much lower activity or even became entirely inactive due to rapid decomposition,indicated by in situ 1H-NMR experiments of A1 complexes with BnOH.     

Organometallic consequences of a redox reaction: Terminal trimethylsilylmethylidene titanium complexes prepared by a one-electron oxidation step

One-electron oxidation of the titanium(III) bis-trimethylsilylmethyl complex (nacnac)Ti(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ (1) (nacnac⁻ = [ArNC(Me)]₂CH, Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃), readily prepared from (nacnac)TiCl₂(THF) and 2 equiv. of LiCH₂SiMe₃ in Et₂O, with AgOTf results in formation of the five-coordinate and terminal titanium alkylidene complex (nacnac)TiCHSiMe₃(OTf)(THF) (2)-THF concurrent with extrusion of tetramethylsilane and precipitation of silver metal. Complex 2-THF eliminates THF slowly under dynamic vacuum to generate the four-coordinate alkylidene 2 along with some decomposition products. Alternatively, the four-coordinate and non-solvento alkylidene complex, 2, can be prepared from 1 and AgOTf in pentane. Complex 2 undergoes cross-metathesis transformation to afford [ArNC(Me)CHC(Me)CHSiMe₃]TiNAr(OTf) (3) as the major product after 34 h at room temperature. Complexes 1, 2, 2-THF, and 3 have been fully characterized spectroscopically, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for 1 and 2-THF are presented.     

A novel series of gold(III)-bis-triphenylphosphine-arylazoimidazole complexes: synthesis and spectroscopic and redox study

Reaction of [Au(PPh₃)₂(tht)₂](OSO₂CF₃)₃ with RaaiR′ in CH₂Cl₂ medium following ligand addition leads to [Au(PPh₃)₂(RaaiR′)](OTf)₃ [RaaiR′ = p-R–C₆H₄–N=N–C₃H₂–NN–1–R′, (1–3), abbreviated as N,N′-chelator, where N(imidazole) and N(azo) represent N and N′, respectively; R = H (a), Me (b), Cl (c) and R′ = Me (1), CH₂CH₃ (2), CH₂Ph (3), PPh₃ is triphenylphosphine, OSO₂CF₃ is the triflate anion, tht is tetrahydrothiophen]. The maximum molecular peak of the corresponding molecule is observed in the ESI mass spectrum. The ¹H-nmr spectral measurements suggest methylene, –CH₂–, in RaaiEt gives a complex AB type multiplet while in RaaiCH₂Ph it shows AB type quartets. ¹³C-nmr spectrum suggests the molecular skeleton. In the ¹H–¹H COSY spectrum as well as contour peaks in the ¹H–¹³C heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence (HMQC) spectrum assign the solution structure. Electrochemistry assign ligand reduction part rather than metal oxidation.     

Synthesis and characterization of bis(2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium complexes containing thiosemicarbazide ligands: unique redox series

Two series of heterochelates of ruthenium(II) containing two bipyridyl molecules and a bidentate chelating sulfur---nitrogen donor ligand in the form of 4-aryl substituted thiosemicarbazides have been synthesized and characterized. The first series of complexes are dicationic in which the ring substituted 4-aryl thiosemicarbazides (N---S) are chelated in the keto form through the hydrazinic nitrogen and the thione sulfur atom. They are of the [Ru(bpy)₂NS]⁺² type. The second series have the general formula [Ru(bpy)₂NS]⁺¹ in which the thiosemicarbazide moiety remains chelated to the Ru^II centre through the hydrazinic nitrogen and the deprotonated thiolato S-atom. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, UV-vis, IR and EPR spectroscopy. The complexes were found to constitute a three membered redox series which were investigated by cyclic voltammetry.     

Oxidation state delineation via U L(III)-edge XANES in a series of isostructural uranium coordination complexes

We present an X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) study of a series of uranium coordination complexes that possess nearly identical first coordination spheres and geometries in a range of oxidation states from U(III) to U(VI). These compounds were obtained through the activation of small molecules, such as ketones, azides, and carbon dioxide, and upon oxidation of a high-valent U(V)≡O to [U(VI)≡O](+). Most of the compounds have been reported previously. All of them are fully characterized and their oxidation states have been confirmed by various spectroscopic methods (SQUID, (1)H NMR, and UV/vis/near-IR). Each uranium complex consists of a triazacyclononane anchor bearing three aryloxide side arms with bulky tert-butyl (t-Bu) or adamantyl (Ad) ortho substituents. All complexes have approximate C(3) symmetry and possess an axial cavity that is either empty (U(III)) or occupied by a seventh ligand, namely, terminal oxygen (U(V) and U(VI)) or an oxygen-containing ligand (U(IV)). The only exception is [(((t-Bu)ArO)(3)tacnU(VI)(O)][SbF(6)], which is the rare case of a complex that shows a strong inverse trans influence. The determined correlation between the uranium oxidation state and the U L(III)-edge XANES absorption in this series includes a single terminal oxo ligand bonded uranium(V,VI), for which data are essentially nonexistent. The correct assignment of the uranium valence in a U(IV)-L(?-) compound (L(?-) = ketyl radical) is shown to be only possible by a comparison to structurally similar compounds.     

Antiferromagnetic coupling between rare earth ions and semiquinones in a series of 1:1 complexes

We use the strategy of diamagnetic substitution for obtaining information on the crystal field effects in paramagnetic rare earth ions using the homologous series of compounds with the diamagnetic tropolonato ligand, Ln(Trp)(HBPz(3))(2), and the paramagnetic semiquinone ligand, Ln(DTBSQ)(HBPz(3))(2), (DTBSQ = 3,5-di-tert-butylsemiquinonato, Trp = tropolonate, HBPz(3)= hydrotrispyrazolylborate) for Ln = Sm(iii), Eu(iii), Gd(iii), Tb(iii), Dy(iii), Ho(iii), Er(iii) or Yb(iii). The X-ray crystal structure of a new form of tropolonate derivative is presented, which shows, as expected, a marked similarity with the structure of the semiquinonate derivative. The Ln(Trp)(HBPz(3))(2) derivatives were then used as a reference for the qualitative determination of crystal field effects in the exchange coupled semiquinone derivatives. Through magnetisation and susceptibility measurements this empirical diamagnetic substitution method evidenced for Er(iii), Tb(iii), Dy(iii) and Yb(iii) derivatives a dominating antiferromagnetic coupling. The increased antiferromagnetic contribution compared to other radical-rare earth metal complexes formed by nitronyl nitroxide ligands may be related to the increased donor strength of the semiquinone ligand.     

Uranyl sequestration: synthesis and structural characterization of uranyl complexes with a tetradentate methylterephthalamide ligand

Uranyl complexes of a bis(methylterephthalamide) ligand (LH(4)) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structure is an unexpected [Me(4)N](8)[L(UO(2))](4) tetramer, formed via coordination of the two MeTAM units of L to two uranyl moieties. Addition of KOH to the tetramer gave the corresponding monomeric uranyl methoxide species [Me(4)N]K(2)[LUO(2)(OMe)].     

Fundamental studies of a new series of anion exchange membranes: membrane preparation and characterization

Chemical cross-linking anion exchange series membranes were prepared from linear engineering plastics poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) by conducting the processes of bromination and amination at both benzyl and aryl positions. Compared with the traditional technologies, the membrane route described in this paper has cancelled the chloromethylation process and thus, given up the use of chloromethyl methyl ether, which has been considered as a potential harmful toxicity material. The ion exchange capacity, water content, membrane potential and transport number of membranes were studied. The results show that the membrane properties are significantly affected by the bromination processes: benzyl-substitution will enhance the ion exchange capacity and water content, while the aryl-substitution will decrease the water content with approximately unchanged ion exchange capacity. By properly balancing them, a series of membranes can be obtained to comply with different industrial requirements, such as diffusional dialysis, electrodialysis, and water splitting processes.     

Synthesis and characterization of manganese(II) and iron(III) d5 tripodal imidazole complexes. Effect of oxidation state, protonation state and ligand conformation on coordination number and spin state

The 1 : 3 Schiff base condensates of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) or tris(3-aminopropyl)amine (trpn) with 4-methyl-5-imidazolecarboxaldehyde, H3L1 and H3L2, respectively, were generated in situ and used to prepare complexes with manganese(II) and iron(III). The resultant complexes, [MnH3L1](ClO4)2, [MnH3L1](ClO4)2.EtOH.H2O, [MnH3L2](ClO4)2, [FeH3L1](ClO4)3.1.5(EtOH) and [FeHL1](I3) (0.525)(I)(0.475).2.625H2O, have been characterized by EA, IR, ES MS, variable temperature magnetic susceptibility, X-ray crystallography, and M?ssbauer spectroscopy for the iron complexes. The three manganese(II) complexes are high spin with [MnH3L2](ClO4)2 exhibiting coordination number seven while the others are six coordinate. [FeH3L1](ClO4)3.1.5(EtOH) has two iron sites, a seven coordinate and a pseudo seven coordinate site. The complex is high spin at room temperature but exhibits a magnetic moment that decreases with temperature corresponding to conversion of one of the sites to low spin. [FeHL1](I3) (0.525)(I)(0.475).2.625H2O is low spin even at room temperature. In the present complexes the apical nitrogen atom, N(ap), of the tripodal ligand is pyramidal and directed toward the metal atom. The data show that the M-N(ap) distance decreases as the oxidation state of the metal increases, as the number of bound imidazole protons on the ligand increases, and as the number of carbon atoms in the backbone of the ligand (tren vs. trpn) increases. In a limiting sense, short M-N(ap) distances result in high spin seven coordinate mono capped octahedral complexes and long M-N(ap) distances result in low spin six coordinate octahedral complexes.     

A stabilized formulation of IBX (SIBX) for safe oxidation reactions including a new oxidative demethylation of phenolic methyl aryl ethers

[reaction: see text] SIBX is a nonexplosive formulation of IBX that can be used as a suspension in a variety of standard organic solvents such as refluxing EtOAc and THF to oxidize safely alcohols into aldehydes and ketones. The use of hot THF is limited to the oxidation of allylic and benzylic alcohols. Most yields are comparable to those obtained with IBX or DMP. SIBX can also be used to perform oxygenative demethylation of 2-methoxyarenols into orthoquinones and catechols.     

Electronic characteristics of an extensive series of ruthenium complexes with the non-innocent o-benzoquinonediimine ligand: A pedagogical approach

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are carried out on an extensive series of ruthenium complexes with the non-innocent (redox active) o-benzoquinonediimine (bqdi) ligand, namely [Ru(WXYZ)(bqdi)]ⁿ⁺ where WXYZ are a range of spectator ligands including ammonia, phosphines, 2,2′-bipyridine, 2,2′,2″-terpyridine, carbon monoxide, water, halide, acetonitrile, triazacyclononane, nitrosyl, cyclam, etc. In addition, a smaller series, Ru(acac)₂(R-bqdi) is explored, where acac = 2,4-pentanedionate, and R = H, Cl, Me, NO₂ and N-SO₂Me. A range of properties including Mulliken and Natural population analysis (NPA) charges, Mayer bond orders (Ru–N, CN, CC, etc.), net σ-donation and net π-back donation, and percentage Ru 4dπ in the LUMO, are derived and correlated with experimental properties including oxidation and reduction potentials and ligand electrochemical parameters, E_L(L). The various properties are understood in terms of the primary involvement of π-back donation to the π*-LUMO of bqdi. Net π-back donation is derived from the contribution of the π*-LUMO (and higher virtual orbitals) of bqdi, to filled molecular orbitals of the complex. The question of whether these species should be considered exclusively as being represented as [Ru^IIL₄(bqdi)] or [Ru^IIIL₄(sqdi)] (sqdi = o-benzosemiquinonediimine) is briefly considered and evidence presented for the former electronic structure. This is written as a pedagogical treatise rather than a detailed research discussion of the electronic properties of these molecules.     

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.