Electronic structure of light-induced nitrosyl linkage isomers revealed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy at Ru L3,2-edges

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a powerful tool for examining changes of the electronic and molecular structure following light-induced excitation of a molecule. Specifically, this method can be applied to investigate the ground (GS, RuNO) and metastable states (MS1, RuON and MS2, Ruη2(NO)) of the nitrosyl ligand (NO), which differ in their coordination mode to the metal. In this work, we report for the first time experimental and theoretical (DFT) Ru L3,2-edge XA spectra for the octahedral complex trans-[RuNOPy4F](ClO4)2 (1, Py = pyridine) in both ground and metastable states. The transition from GS to MS1 using 420 nm light excitation leads to a significant downshift of the 2p → LUMO(+1) peaks by about 0.5-0.8 eV, attributed to the destabilisation of 2p orbitals and stabilization of LUMO(+1). Subsequent irradiation of MS1 at 920 nm produces isomer MS2, for which even greater stabilization of LUMO occurs, though without a significant change in 2p energy. The change in 2p energy is attributed to a variation in the charge on the Ru atom after NO isomerization, while LUMO(+1) stabilization is related to changes in the Ru(NO) bond length and the composition of this orbital.

Heteroleptic Complexes of Ruthenium Nitrosyl with Pyridine and Bypiridine-Synthesis and Photoisomerization

The reaction of [RuNO(Py)2Cl2OH] with bipyridine in water-ethanol media results in trans-(NO, OH)-[RuNO(Py)(Bpy)ClOH]+ with an acceptable yield (60-70%) as hexafluorophosphate salt. Further treatment of the hydroxy-complex with concentrated HF quantitatively leads to trans-(NO, F)-[RuNO(Py)(Bpy)ClF]+. Despite the chirality of both coordination spheres, the hexafluorophosphate salts crystallized as racemates. A NO-linkage isomerism study of the obtained complexes was performed at 80 K with different excitation wavelengths (405, 450, 488 nm). The most favorable wavelengths for the MS1 isomer (Ru-ON) formation were 405 and 450 nm, where the linkage isomer populations were 17% and 1% for [RuNO(Py)(Bpy)ClOH]PF6 and [RuNO(Py)(Bpy)ClF]PF6. The shift of the excitation wavelength to the green (488 nm) sharply decreased the MS1 population. The IR-spectral signatures of MS1 were registered. Reverse-transformation Ru-ON (MS1)-Ru-NO (GS) was investigated for [RuNO(Py)(Bpy)ClOH]PF6 using IR and DSC techniques that made it possible to determine the kinetic parameters (Ea and k0) and decay temperature.

Local force constants and charges of the nitrosyl ligand in photoinduced NO linkage isomers in a prototypical ruthenium nitrosyl complex

Photoinduced linkage isomers (PLI) of the NO ligand in transition-metal nitrosyl compounds can be identified by vibrational spectroscopy due to the large shifts of the (NO) stretching vibration. We present a detailed experimental and theoretical study of the prototypical compound K2[RuCl5NO], where (NO) shifts by ≈150 cm-1 when going from the N-bound (κN) ground state (GS) to the oxygen-bound (κO) metastable linkage isomer MS1, and by ≈360 cm-1 when going to the side-on (κ2N,O) metastable linkage isomer MS2. We show that the experimentally observed N-O stretching modes of the GS, MS1, and MS2 exhibit strong coupling with the Ru-N and Ru-O stretching modes, which can be decoupled using the local mode vibrational theory formalism. From the resulting decoupled pure two-atomic harmonic oscillators the local force constants are determined, which all follow the same quadratic behavior on the wavenumber. A Bader charge analysis shows that the total charge on the NO ligand is not correlated to the observed frequency shift of (NO).

New Ruthenium Nitrosyl Complexes Combining Potentially Photoactive Nitrosyl Group with the Magnetic Nitroxide Radicals as Ligands

Two ruthenium nitrosyl complexes of Na[RuNOCl4L] with nitronyl nitroxide radicals coordinated to ruthenium with N-donor pyridine rings were prepared and described. The crystal structure of both complexes is 1D or 2D polymeric, due to the additional coordination of sodium cation by bridging the chloride ligands or oxygen atoms of nitroxides. Partially, the oligomeric forms remain in the solutions of the complexes in acetonitrile. The magnetic measurements in the solid state demonstrate the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions through the exchange channels, with the distance between paramagnetic centers equal to 3.1-3.9 Å. The electrochemical behavior of the prepared complexes was investigated in acetonitrile solutions.

Photocrystallography of [Ru(bpy)2(dmso)2]2+ reveals an O-bonded metastable state

We report the first instance of observing the phototriggered isomerization of dmso ligands on a bis sulfoxide complex, [Ru(bpy)₂(dmso)₂], in the crystalline solid state. The solid-state UV-vis spectrum of the crystal demonstrates an increase in optical density around 550 nm after irradiation, which is consistent with the solution isomerization results. Digital images of the crystal before and after irradiation display a notable color change (pale orange to red) and cleavage occurs along planes, (1̄01) and (100), during irradiation. Single crystal X-ray diffraction data also confirms that isomerization is occurring throughout the lattice and a structure that contains a mix of the S,S and O,O/S,O isomer was attained from a crystal irradiated ex situ. In situ irradiation XRD studies reveal that the percentage of the O-bonded isomer increases as a function of 405 nm exposure time.

Bismuth and antimony halometalates containing photoswitchable ruthenium nitrosyl complexes

The first examples of Bi(III) and Sb(III) halide compounds combined with a photoswitchable ruthenium nitrosyl unit are reported. The structures of [RuNOPy₄Br]₄[Sb₂Br₈][Sb₃Br₁₂]₂ (1) and (H₃O)[RuNOPy₄Br]₄[Bi₂Br₉]₃·3H₂O (2) were determined by X-ray diffraction, and exhibit three different structural types of group 15 halometalates. Low-temperature IR-spectroscopy measurements reveal that the irradiation of 1 at 365 nm switches a stable Ru-NO (GS) unit to a metastable Ru-ON (MS1) linkage. Moreover, the light excitation of 2 at 365 or 405 nm induces the additional formation of a side-bond isomer Ru-η²-(NO) (MS2). The reverse reactions MS1/MS2 → GS can be induced by red-infrared light irradiation or by heating at temperatures >200 K. The obtained synthetic and spectroscopic data open the way for the preparation of hybrid halide complexes with a variety of photoswitchable complexes (NO₂, SO₂, N₂, etc.), and give an insight into the behavior of light-induced species embedded in polynuclear halides.

Solid-State Photo-NMR Study on Light-Induced Nitrosyl Linkage Isomers Uncovers Their Structural, Electronic, and Diamagnetic Nature

A light-induced linkage NO isomer (MS1) in trans-[Ru(¹⁵NO)(py)₄¹⁹F](ClO₄)₂ is detected and measured for the first time by solid-state MAS NMR. Chemical shift tensors of ¹⁵N and ¹⁹F, along with ⁿJ(¹⁵N-¹⁹F) spin-spin couplings and T₁ relaxation times of MS1, are compared with the ground state (GS) at temperatures T < 250 K. Isotropic chemical shifts (¹⁵N and ¹⁹F) are well resolved for two crystallographically independent cations (A and B) [Ru(¹⁵NO)(py)₄¹⁹F]²⁺, allowing to define separately both populations of MS1 isomers and thermal decay rates for two structural sites. The relaxation times T₁ of ¹⁹F in the case of GS (30/38.6 s for sites A/B) and MS1 (11.6/11.8 s for sites A/B) indicate that both isomers are diamagnetic, which is the first experimental evidence of diamagnetic properties of MS1 in ruthenium nitrosyl. After light irradiation (λ = 420 nm), the NO ligand rotates by nearly 180° from F-Ru-N-O to F-Ru-O-N, whereby the isotropic chemical shifts of δ_iso(¹⁵N) increase and those of δ_iso(¹⁹F) decrease. The ⁿJ(¹⁵N-¹⁹F) couplings increase from ²J(¹⁵N-Ru-¹⁹F)_GS = 71 Hz to ³J(¹⁵N-O-Ru-¹⁹F)_MS1 = 105 Hz. These results are interpreted on the basis of DFT-CASTEP calculations including Bader-, Mulliken-, and Hirshfeld-charge density distributions of both states.

The Ruthenium Nitrosyl Moiety in Clusters: Trinuclear Linear μ-Hydroxido Magnesium(II)-Diruthenium(II), μ3-Oxido Trinuclear Diiron(III)-Ruthenium(II), and Tetranuclear μ4-Oxido Trigallium(III)-Ruthenium(II) Complexes

The ruthenium nitrosyl moiety, {RuNO}6, is important as a potential releasing agent of nitric oxide and is of inherent interest in coordination chemistry. Typically, {RuNO}6 is found in mononuclear complexes. Herein we describe the synthesis and characterization of several multimetal cluster complexes that contain this unit. Specifically, the heterotrinuclear μ3-oxido clusters [Fe2RuCl4(μ3-O)(μ-OMe)(μ-pz)2(NO)(Hpz)2] (6) and [Fe2RuCl3(μ3-O)(μ-OMe)(μ-pz)3(MeOH)(NO)(Hpz)][Fe2RuCl3(μ3-O)(μ-OMe)(μ-pz)3(DMF)(NO)(Hpz)] (7·MeOH·2H2O) and the heterotetranuclear μ4-oxido complex [Ga3RuCl3(μ4-O)(μ-OMe)3(μ-pz)4(NO)] (8) were prepared from trans-[Ru(OH)(NO)(Hpz)4]Cl2 (5), which itself was prepared via acidic hydrolysis of the linear heterotrinuclear complex {[Ru(μ-OH)(μ-pz)2(pz)(NO)(Hpz)]2Mg} (4). Complex 4 was synthesized from the mononuclear Ru complexes (H2pz)[trans-RuCl4(Hpz)2] (1), trans-[RuCl2(Hpz)4]Cl (2), and trans-[RuCl2(Hpz)4] (3). The new compounds 4-8 were all characterized by elemental analysis, ESI mass spectrometry, IR, UV-vis, and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, with complexes 6 and 7 being characterized also by temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Magnetometry indicated a strong antiferromagnetic interaction between paramagnetic centers in 6 and 7. The ability of 4 and 6-8 to form linkage isomers and release NO upon irradiation in the solid state was investigated by IR spectroscopy. A theoretical investigation of the electronic structure of 6 by DFT and ab initio CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations indicated a redox-noninnocent behavior of the NO ancillary ligand in 6, which was also manifested in TD-DFT calculations of its electronic absorption spectrum. The electronic structure of 6 was also studied by an X-ray charge density analysis.

The influence of trans-ligand to NO on the thermal stability of photoinduced side-bond coordinated linkage isomer

The influence of trans-to NO ligand (X) on the thermal stability of transient side-on coordinated nitrosyl linkage isomer (MS2) is investigated in a series of trans-[RuNOPy4X](PF6)2 (X = F- (RuF),...

Characteristic vibrational frequencies of osmium(ii) nitrosyl complexes probed by Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations

Raman spectroscopy at variable temperature provides experimental frequencies for osmium(ii) nitrosyl complexes. Vibrational transitions are assigned using DFT calculations.

Ruthenium-nitrosyl complexes as NO-releasing molecules and potential anticancer drugs

The synthesis of new types of mono- and polynuclear ruthenium nitrosyl complexes is driving progress in the field of NO generation for a variety of applications. Light-induced Ru-NO bond dissociation...

Synthesis and thermal properties of the heterometallic nickel–ruthenium complex: a potential precursor for catalytically active nanosized Ni–Ru alloy

Thermal decomposition of the novel heterometallic complex [RuNO(NO2)4OHNi(En)2] results in a single-phase metastable solid solution Ni0.5Ru0.5. The catalytic activity of the prepared nanoalloy in the CO methanation reaction was demonstrated.

Photoinduced linkage isomers in a model ruthenium nitrosyl complex: Identification and assignment of vibrational modes

Photoinduced NO-linkage isomers were investigated in the solid state of labelled trans-[Ru(^14/15NO)(py₄)F](ClO₄)₂ complex by combined IR-spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Based on the experimental data and the DFT calculations of this isotopically labelled ^14/15NO nitrosyl compound, we present a complete assignment of the vibrational bands of three nitrosyl linkage isomers in a range from 4000 to 200 cm^-1. The calculated IR-spectra match well with the experimental data allowing reliable assignment of the vibrational bands. The structural change from the Ru-NO (GS) to the Ru-ON (MS1) and Ru-η²-(NO) (MS2) linkage configuration leads to the downshift of the ν(NO) and ν(Ru-(NO)) bands, and a corresponding increase of the energy of the ν(Ru-F) band. The shift of the bands corresponds to the change of the Ru-(NO) and Ru-F bond lengths: increase of the Ru-(NO) bond length leads to the decrease of the energy of the ν(Ru-(NO)) band; decrease of the Ru-F bond length leads to the increase of the energy of the ν(Ru-F) band. These observations can be extrapolated to the family of related nitrosyl complexes and therefore be used for the qualitative prediction of the Ru-(NO) and Ru-L_trans-to-NO bond lengths of different linkage isomers in the framework of one complex. While the formation of linkage isomers is a reversible process, long-time irradiation sometimes induces irreversible reactions such as the release of NO. Here, we show that the photolysis of trans-[Ru(^14/15NO)(py₄)F](ClO₄)₂ in KBr pellets may lead to the release of nitrous oxide N₂O, conceivably through the formation of a {Ru-(κ²-ONNO)} intermediate.

Cyano-bridged polynuclear coordination compounds derived from paramagnetic [Mn(H2daptsc)]2+ and photochromic [Fe(CN)5NO]2− building blocks

Metal complexes with H₂daptsc ligand were first used as building blocks to create polynuclear multifunctional materials.

Nitrosyl linkage photoisomerization in heteroleptic fluoride ruthenium complexes derived from labile nitrate precursors

Four complexes with trans-ON–Ru–F coordinate were synthesized from their nitrate precursors. Upon light irradiation, complexes I–III show reversible formation of highly stable linkage isomers MS2 which leads to a higher photogeneration temperature of MS1.

Remarkable thermal stability of light-induced Ru–ON linkage isomers in mixed salts of a ruthenium amine complex with a trans-ON–Ru–F coordinate

The novel complexes with trans-ON–Ru–F coordinate exhibit the highest thermal stability of Ru–ON photoinduced isomers.

CASPT2 Potential Energy Curves for NO Dissociation in a Ruthenium Nitrosyl Complex

Ruthenium nitrosyl complexes are fascinating photoactive compounds showing complex photoreactivity, such as N→O linkage photoisomerism and NO photorelease. This dual photochemical behavior has been the subject of many experimental studies in order to optimize these systems for applications as photoswitches or therapeutic agents for NO delivery. However, despite recent experimental and computational studies along this line, the underlying photochemical mechanisms still need to be elucidated for a more efficient design of these systems. Here, we present a theoretical contribution based on the calculations of excited-state potential energy profiles for NO dissociation in the prototype trans-[RuCl(NO)(py)4]2+ complex at the complete active space second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2). The results point to a sequential two-step photon absorption photorelease mechanism coupled to partial photoisomerization to a side-on intermediate, in agreement with previous density functional theory calculations.

Multistep Photochemical Reactions of Polypyridine-Based Ruthenium Nitrosyl Complexes in Dimethylsulfoxide

The photorelease of nitric oxide (NO·) has been investigated in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on two compounds of formula [Ru(R-tpy)(bpy)(NO)](PF₆)₃, in which bpy stands for 2,2′-bipyridine and R-tpy for the 4′-R-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine with R = H and MeOPh. It is observed that both complexes are extremely sensitive to traces of water, leading to an equilibrium between [Ru(NO)] and [Ru(NO₂)]. The photoproducts of formula [Ru(R-tpy)(bpy)(DMSO)](PF₆)₂ are further subjected to a photoreaction leading to a reversible linkage isomerization between the stable Ru-DMSO_(S) (sulfur linked) and the metastable Ru-DMSO_(O) (oxygen linked) species. A set of 4 [Ru(R-tpy)(bpy)(DMSO)]²⁺ complexes (R = H, MeOPh, BrPh, NO₂Ph) is investigated to characterize the ratio and mechanism of the isomerization which is tentatively related to the difference in absorbance between the Ru-DMSO_(S) and Ru-DMSO_(O) forms. In addition, the X-ray crystal structures of [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(NO)](PF₆)₃ and [Ru(MeOPh-tpy)(bpy)(DMSO_(S))](PF₆)₂ are presented.

Chemical and photochemical behavior of ruthenium nitrosyl complexes with terpyridine ligands in aqueous media

The synthesis and behavior in water of a set of various cis(Cl,Cl)-[R-tpyRuCl₂(NO)](PF₆) and trans(Cl,Cl)-[R-tpyRuCl₂(NO)](PF₆) (R = fluorenyl, phenyl, thiophenyl; tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine) complexes are presented. In any case, one chlorido ligand is substituted by a hydroxo ligand and the final species arises as a single trans(NO,OH) isomer, whatever the nature of the starting cis/trans(Cl,Cl) complexes. Six X-ray crystal structures are presented for cis(Cl,Cl)-[thiophenyl-tpyRuCl₂(NO)](PF₆) (cis-3a), trans(Cl,Cl)-[thiophenyl-tpyRuCl₂(NO)](PF₆) (trans-3a), trans(NO,OH)-[phenyl-tpyRu(Cl)(OH)(NO)](PF₆) (4a), trans(NO,OH)-[thiophenyl-tpyRu(Cl)(OH)(NO)](PF₆) (4b), trans(NO,OEt)-[phenyl-tpyRu(Cl)(OEt)(NO)](PF₆) (5a), and trans(NO,OH)-[phenyl-tpyRu(Cl)(OEt)(NO)](PF₆) (5b) compounds. The different cis/trans(Cl,Cl) complexes exhibit an intense low-lying transition in the λ = 330-390 nm range, which appears to be slightly blue-shifted after Cl → OH substitution. In water, both cis/trans(Cl,Cl) isomers are converted to a single trans(NO,OH) isomer in which one chlorido- is replaced by one hydroxo-ligand, which avoids tedious separation workout. The water stable trans(NO,OH)-species all release NO with quantum yields of 0.010 to 0.075 under irradiation at 365 nm. The properties are discussed with computational analysis performed within the framework of Density Functional Theory.

Tuning the structure and photoinduced linkage isomerism of tetrapyridine nitrosyl ruthenium(ii) complexes by changing the trans-to-NO coordinated ligand

Ruthenium nitrosyl complexes were prepared with various trans-to-NO ligands. These compounds form Ru–ON metastable states upon blue-light excitation and the corresponding thermal stabilities were determined.

The impact of counterion on the metastable state properties of nitrosyl ruthenium complexes

Complexes of the trans-[RuNO(NH₃)₄F]²⁺ cation with noble-metal anions [PtCl₆]²⁻, [PdCl₄]²⁻, and [PtCl₄]²⁻, and perchlorate ClO₄⁻ were synthesized, the photo-generated linkage isomers were studied by spectroscopic and calorimetric methods.

Combining photoinduced linkage isomerism and nonlinear optical properties in ruthenium nitrosyl complexes

The complex trans-[RuNO(NH₃)₄F]SiF₆ was synthesized in quantitative yield and the structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic methods. The complex crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group Pn. Hirshfeld surface analysis revealed that the dominant intermolecular interactions are of types H...F and F...O, which are likely to be responsible for the packing of the molecules in a non-centrosymmetric structure. Irradiation with blue light leads to the formation of Ru-ON (metastable state MS1) and Ru-η²-(NO) (metastable state MS2) bond isomers, as shown by IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The structural features of the MS1 isomer were elucidated by photocrystallography. The complex exhibits exceptionally good thermal stability of the metastable state MS1, such that it can be populated by light at 290-300 K, which is important for potential applications. The second harmonic (SH) emission can be generated by femtosecond-pulsed irradiation of the complex. The generated SH is rather efficient and stable under long-term exposure. Finally, since both metastable states and harmonic generation can be generated at room temperature, an attempt to drive the SH response by photoisomerization of the nitrosyl ligand was made and is discussed.