Facile synthesis and platinum complexes of 4',5,5'-trisubstituted-2,2':6',2'-terpyridines

The synthesis of trisubstituted 4',5,5' terpyridines is described. The strategy begins with synthesis of 2-acetyl-5-bromopyridine (3) from 2,5-dibromopyridine, substitution of the bromine in 3 using a variety of metal-catalyzed reactions and then formation of the terpyridine using the Krohnke reaction. The complexes have been prepared by reaction of [Pt(PhCN)(2)Cl(2)] with the appropriate silver salt followed by addition of the terpyridyl ligand. The crystal structure of two complexes have been determined via X-ray diffraction and the MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge-transfer) emissions determined by UV/Vis spectroscopy.