Synthesis and electrochemical and spectroscopic studies of a N,N,N',N'-tetraphenylbenzidine-bridged bis(2,2'-bipyridine)ligand and diruthenium complex

A N,N,N',N'-tetraphenylbenzidine-bridged bis(2,2'-bipyridine) ligand and corresponding diruthenium complexes were synthesized and characterized. They show rich multistep redox processes due to the stepwise oxidations of the amine units and ruthenium components. Their absorption and emission spectral changes in response to electrochemical stimulus were examined by spectroelectrochemical measurements. DFT and TDDFT calculations were performed to complement the experimental results.