Ligand-centred oxidative chemistry in sterically hindered salen complexes: an interesting case with nickel

Salen ligands are ubiquitous chelators, whose nickel complexes readily undergo a ligand-centred redox chemistry in non-coordinating solvents.

A Co(ii)–Ru(ii) dyad relevant to light-driven water oxidation catalysis

The covalent anchoring of a Co(ii) water oxidation catalyst to a Ru(ii) photosensitizer with potential application in artificial photosynthesis.

Enhanced electrochemiluminescence and charge transport through films of metallopolymer-gold nanoparticle composites

Water-soluble 4-(dimethylamino) pyridine (DMAP) stabilized gold nanoparticles (DMAP-AuNP) were synthesized by ligand exchange and phase transfer (toluene/water). The DMAP-AuNPs are positively charged with the core diameter of 4 +/- 1 nm. Metallopolymer-gold nanocomposites were prepared by mixing gold nanoparticles and [Ru(bpy)(2)PVP(10)](ClO(4))(2), in water at different mole ratios; bpy is 2,2'-bipyridyl and PVP is poly (4-vinylpyridine). The photoluminescence emission intensity of the metallopolymer decreases with increasing AuNP loading and approximately 57% of the emission intensity is quenched when the Au NP:Ru mole ratio is 14.8 x 10(-2). The rate of homogeneous charge transfer through thin layers of the nanocomposite deposited on glassy carbon electrodes increases with increasing nanoparticle loading. The homogeneous charge transport diffusion coefficient, D(CT), for the composite (AuNP:Ru mole ratio 13.2 x 10(-2)) is (2.8 +/- 0.8) x 10(-11) cm(2) s(-1) and is approximately 3-fold higher than that found for the pure metallopolymer. Significantly, despite the ability of the metal nanoparticles to quench the ruthenium-based emission, the electrochemiluminescence of the nanocomposite with a AuNP:Ru mole ratio of 4.95 x 10(-2) is approximately three times more intense than the parent metallopolymer. This enhancement arises from the increased rate of charge transport that leads to a greater number of excited states per unit time while minimizing the quenching effects. The implications of these findings for the design of electrochemiluminescent sensors are discussed.

Influence of the protonic state of an imidazole-containing ligand on the electrochemical and photophysical properties of a ruthenium(II)-polypyridine-type complex

The synthesis and characterisation of [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImHPh)]2+ where PhenImHPh represents the 2-(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline ligand are described. The compounds issued from the three different protonic states of the imidazole ring [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImPh)]+ (I), [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImHPh)]2+ (II) and [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImH2Ph)]3+ (III) were isolated and spectroscopically characterised. The X-ray structures of [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImPh)](PF6)H2O.6 MeOH, [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImHPh)](NO3)2H2O.3 MeOH and [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImH2Ph)](PF6)3 5 H2O are reported. Electrochemical data obtained on these complexes indicate almost no potential shift for the Ru(III/II) redox couple. Therefore a Coulombic effect between the imidazole ring and the metal centre can be ruled out. The monooxidised forms of I and II have been characterised by EPR spectroscopy and are reminiscent of the presence of a radical species. The emission properties of the parent compound [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImHPh)]2+ were studied as a function of pH and both the lifetimes and intensities decreased upon deprotonation. Photophysical properties, investigated in the absence and presence of an electron acceptor (methylviologen), were distinctly different for the three compounds. Transient absorption features indicate that unique excited states are involved. Theoretical data obtained from DFT calculations in water on the three protonic forms are presented and discussed in the light of the experimental results.

Photoinduced Processes within Compact Dyads Based on Triphenylpyridinium-Functionalized Bipyridyl Complexes of Ruthenium(II)

As an alternative to conventional charge-separation functional molecular models based on long-range ET within redox cascades, a "compact approach" has been examined. To this end, spacer elements usually inserted between main redox-active units within polyad systems have been removed, allowing extended rigidity but at the expense of enhanced intercomponent electronic communication. The molecular assemblies investigated here are of the P-(theta (1))-A type, where the theta (1) twist angle is related to the degree of conjugation between the photosensitizer (P, of {Ru(bpy)(3)}(2+) type) and the electron-acceptor (A). 4-N- and 4-N-,4'-N-(2,4,6-triphenylpyridinio)-2,2'-bipyridine ligands (A(1)-bpy and A(2)-bpy, respectively) have been synthesized to give complexes with Ru(II), 1-bpy and 2-bpy, respectively. Combined solid-state analysis (X-ray crystallography), solution studies ((1)H NMR, cyclic voltammetry) and computational structural optimization allowed verifying that theta (1) angle approaches 90 degrees within 1-bpy and 2-bpy in solution. Also, anticipated existence of strong intercomponent electronic coupling has been confirmed by investigating electronic absorption properties and electrochemical behavior of the compounds. The capability of 1-bpy and 2-bpy to undergo PET process was evaluated by carrying out their photophysical study (steady state emission and time-resolved spectroscopy at both 293 and 77 K). The conformational dependence of photoinduced processes within P-(theta (1))-A systems has been established by comparing the photophysical properties of 1-bpy (and 2-bpy) with those of an affiliated species reported in the literature, 1-phen. A complementary theoretical analysis (DFT) of the change of spin density distribution within model [1-bpy(theta (1))](-) mono-reduced species as a function of theta (1) has been undertaken and the possibility of conformationally switching emission properties of P was derived.

Heteroditopic Ligand Accommodating a Fused Phenanthroline and a Schiff Base Cavity as Molecular Spacer in the Study of Electron and Energy Transfer

The synthesis and characterisation of the heteroditopic ligand N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-5,6-(1,10-phenanthroline)diamine (DPSalH(2)) bearing a phenanthroline and a bis(salicylidene)diimine cavity are reported. This versatile ligand combines two of the most widely used ligands in coordination chemistry. Sequential metallation of the phenanthroline end with Ru(II) and the salophenic cavity with Cu(II) is described. Electrochemical behaviour of the supramolecular complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(DPSalH(2))](2+) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(DPSalCu)](2+) are analysed in connection with UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy. The data for the one-electron-reduced species and the singly oxidised species of the binuclear Ru(II)-Cu(II) complex confirmed the formation of metalloradical complexes. Density functional calculations on the free ligand and the copper-only complex indicate in both cases that the HOMOs and LUMOs are developed on the Schiff base cavity with minor contributions on the bipyridine end. These findings support a bichromophoric character for our ruthenium complexes in the ground state, a necessary condition in the design of supramolecular systems for the study of electron transfer. Photophysical studies indicate fast quenching of the triplet excited state in both complexes, which suggests strong intercomponent excited-state interactions. Evidence is presented that this quenching is due to intramolecular electron transfer, at least in the case of [Ru(bpy)(2)(DPSalH(2))](2+), for which a charge-separated state with a remarkable lifetime of about 30 mus was observed.