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.