A Diruthenium Complex of an N-Pyridyl-o-aminophenol Derivative: A Route to Mixed Valency

An N-pyridyl-o-aminophenol derivative that stabilises mixed-valence states of ruthenium ions is disclosed. A diruthenium complex, [(L_IQ⁰)Ru₂Cl₅] ⋅ MeOH ( 1⋅ MeOH) is successfully isolated, in which L_IQ⁰ is the o-iminobenzoquinone form of 2-[(3-nitropyridin-2-yl)amino]phenol (L_APH₂). In 1 , L_IQ⁰ oriented towards one ruthenium centre is a non-innocent NO-donor redox ligand, whereas another oriented towards another ruthenium centre is an innocent pyridine-donor redox ligand. Complex 1 is a diruthenium(II,III) mixed-valence complex, [Ru^II(L_IQ⁰)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^III], with a minor contribution from the diruthenium(III,III) state. [Ru^III(L_ISQ^.−)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^III] contains L_ISQ^.−, which is the o-iminobenzosemiquinonate anion radical form of the ligand. Complexes 1 ⁻ and 1 ⁺ are diruthenium(II,II), [Ru^II(L_IQ⁰)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^II], and diruthenium(III,III), [Ru^III(L_IQ⁰)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^III], complexes, respectively, of L_IQ⁰. Complex 1 ²⁻ is a diruthenium(II,II) complex of the o-iminobenzosemiquinonate anion radical (L_ISQ^.−), [Ru^II(L_ISQ^.−)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^II], with a minor contribution from the diruthenium(III,II) form, [Ru^III(L_AP²⁻)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^II]. Complex 1 ²⁺ is a diruthenium(III,IV) mixed-valence complex of L_IQ⁰, [Ru^III(L_IQ⁰)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^IV]. Complexes 1 and 1 ²⁺ exhibit inter-valence charge-transfer transitions at λ=1300 and 1370 nm, respectively.