Synthesis,characterization and crystal structure of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes

Ru(bipy)2(5-R-phen)](ClO4)2 complexes have been prepared, where bipy=2,2- bipyridine, phen=1,10-phenanthroline, and R=H, Me, NO2 or NH2. The influence of the different 5- substituted phen on the electron delocalization and ligand-ligand interactions have been investigated by solution n.m.r.. The ligand- ligand interaction has also been observed in the solid state by determining the single crystal structure of Ru(bipy)2(5- NO2-phen)](ClO4)2. The strong steric interaction between the polypyridyl ligands was relieved neither by the elongation of Ru–N bonds (2.055–2.086Å) nor by increase of N–Ru–N bite angles (77.8–79.4°), but rather by distortion of the coordination sphere by forming specific angles (=2.0, 3.2 and 4.2°) between the polypyridyl ligand planes and coordination planes (N–Ru–N), and larger torsion angles (5.8 and 8.2°) between the two pyridine rings for each bipy.