Spectroscopic, electrochemical and computational study of Pt-diimine-dithiolene complexes: rationalising the properties of solar cell dyes

A series of Pt(ii)(diimine)(dithiolate)] complexes of general formula Pt{X,X'-(CO(2)R)(2)-bpy}(mnt)] (where X = 3, 4 or 5; R = H or Et, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl and mnt = maleonitriledithiolate), have been spectroscopically, electrochemically and computationally characterised and compared with the precursors Pt{X,X'-(CO(2)R)(2)-bpy}Cl(2)] and X,X'-(CO(2)R)(2)-bpy. The study includes cyclic voltammetry, in situ EPR spectroelectrochemical studies of fluid solution and frozen solution samples, UV/Vis/NIR spectroelectrochemistry, hyrid DFT and TD-DFT calculations. The effect of changing the position of the bpy substituents from 3,3' to 4,4' and 5,5' is discussed with reference to electronic changes seen within the different members of the family of molecules. The performance of the mnt complexes in dye-sensitised solar cells has been previously described and the superior performance of Pt{3,3'-(CO(2)R)(2)-bpy}(mnt)] is now explained in terms of decreased electronic delocalisation through twisting of the bipyridyl ligand as supported by the EPR and computational results.