Excited-State Decay Pathways of Tris(bidentate) Cyclometalated Ruthenium(II) Compounds

Differences in Photophysical Properties and Photochemistry of Ru(II)-Terpyridine Complexes of CH3CN and Pyridine

A series of 22 Ru(II) complexes of the type [Ru(tpy)(L)(L')]n+, where tpy is the tridentate ligand 2,2';6,2″-terpyridine, L represents bidentate ligands with varying electron-donating ability, and L' is acetonitrile (1a-11a) or pyridine (1b-11b), were investigated. The dissociation of acetonitrile occurs from the 3MLCT state in 1a-11a, such that it does not require the population of a 3LF state. Electrochemistry and spectroscopic data demonstrate that the ground states of these series do not differ significantly. Franck-Condon line-shape analysis of the 77 K emission data shows no significant differences between the emitting 3MLCT states in both series. Arrhenius analysis of the temperature dependence of 3MLCT lifetimes shows that the energy barrier (Ea) to thermally populating a 3LF state from a lower energy 3MLCT state is significantly higher in the pyridine than in the CH3CN series, consistent with the photostability of complexes 1b-11b, which do not undergo pyridine photodissociation under our experimental conditions. Importantly, these results demonstrate that ligand photodissociation of pyridine in 1b-11b does not take place directly from the 3MLCT state, as is the case for 1a-11a. These findings have potential impact on the rational design of complexes for a number of applications, including photochemotherapy, dye-sensitized solar cells, and photocatalysis.

Mehrere Triplett-Metall-zentrierte Jahn-Teller-Isomere bestimmen die temperaturabhängigen Lumineszenzlebensdauern in [Ru(bpy)3]2

Ein genaues Verständnis der Faktoren, welche die Lumineszenzlebensdauer von Übergangsmetallverbindungen bestimmen, ist für Anwendungen in der Photokatalyse und der photodynamischen Therapie von entscheidender Bedeutung. Die im Falle von [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy=2,2’‐Bipyridin) allgemein akzeptierte Theorie besagt, dass die Emissionslebensdauer durch Optimierung der Energiebarriere zwischen dem emittierenden Triplett‐Zustand des Metall‐Liganden‐Ladungstransfers (3MLCT) und dem thermisch aktivierten Triplett‐Zustand des Metall‐Zentrums (3MC), oder der Energielücke zwischen beiden Zuständen gesteuert werden kann. Hier zeigen wir, dass dies nicht allgemeingültig ist. Darüber hinaus demonstrieren wir, dass die Betrachtung eines einzelnen Relaxationspfades, der vom energetisch niedrigsten Minimum aus bestimmt wird, zu falschen Vorhersagen der temperaturabhängigen Emissionslebensdauer führt. Stattdessen erhalten wir eine ausgezeichnete Übereinstimmung mit den experimentellen temperaturabhängigen Lebensdauern, wenn ein erweitertes kinetisches Modell herangezogen wird, welches alle Pfade im Zusammenhang mit mehreren Jahn–Teller‐Isomeren und ihren effektiven Reaktionsbarrieren beinhaltet. Diese Konzepte sind für das Design weiterer lumineszierender Übergangsmetallkomplexe mit individuell angepassten Emissionslebensdauern auf der Grundlage theoretischer Vorhersagen unerlässlich.

Multiple Triplet Metal-Centered Jahn-Teller Isomers Determine Temperature-Dependent Luminescence Lifetimes in [Ru(bpy)3 ]2

Understanding the factors that determine the luminescence lifetime of transition metal compounds is key for applications in photocatalysis and photodynamic therapy. Here we show that for[ Ru ( bpy ) 3 ] 2 + ${[{\rm{Ru}}({\rm{bpy}})_{\rm{3}} ]^{{\rm{2 + }}} }$ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), the generally accepted idea that emission lifetimes can be controlled optimizing the energy barrier from the emissive triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3 MLCT) state to the thermally-activated triplet metal-centered (3 MC) state or the energy gap between both states is a misconception. Further, we demonstrate that considering a single relaxation pathway determined from the minimum that is lowest in energy leads to wrong temperature-dependent emission lifetimes predictions. Instead, we obtain excellent agreement with experimental temperature-dependent lifetimes when an extended kinetic model that includes all the pathways related to multiple Jahn-Teller isomers and their effective reaction barriers is employed. These concepts are essential to correctly design other luminescent transition metal complexes with tailored emission lifetimes based on theoretical predictions.

Low-Temperature Observation of the Excited-State Decay of Ruthenium-(Mono-2,2':6',2″-Terpyridine) Ions with Innocent Ligands: DFT Modeling of an 3MLCT-3MC Intersystem Crossing Pathway

The synthesis, electrochemistry, and photophysical characterization of five 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine ruthenium complexes (Ru-tpy complexes) is reported. The electrochemical and photophysical behavior varied depending on the ligands, i.e., amine (NH₃), acetonitrile (AN), and bis(pyrazolyl)methane (bpm), for this series of Ru-tpy complexes. The target [Ru(tpy)(AN)₃]²⁺ and [Ru(tpy)(bpm)(AN)]²⁺ complexes were found to have low-emission quantum yields in low-temperature observations. To better understand this phenomenon, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to simulate the singlet ground state (S₀), T_e, and metal-centered excited states (³MC) of these complexes. The calculated energy barriers between T_e and the low-lying ³MC state for [Ru(tpy)(AN)₃]²⁺ and [Ru(tpy)(bpm)(AN)]²⁺ provided clear evidence in support of their emitting state decay behavior. Developing a knowledge of the underlying photophysics of these Ru-tpy complexes will allow new complexes to be designed for use in photophysical and photochemical applications in the future.

High Intrinsic Phosphorescence Efficiency and Density Functional Theory Modeling of Ru(II)-Bipyridine Complexes with π-Aromatic-Rich Cyclometalated Ligands: Attributions of Spin-Orbit Coupling Perturbation and Efficient Configurational Mixing of Singlet Excited States

A series of π-aromatic-rich cyclometalated ruthenium(II)-(2,2'-bipyridine) complexes ([Ru(bpy)₂(π_Ar-CM)]⁺) in which π_Ar-CM is diphenylpyrazine or 1-phenylisoquinoline were prepared. The [Ru(bpy)₂(π_Ar-CM)]⁺ complexes had remarkably high phosphorescence rate constants, k _RAD(p), and the intrinsic phosphorescence efficiencies (ι_em(p) = k _RAD(p)/(ν_em(p))³) of these complexes were found to be twice the magnitudes of simply constructed cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complexes ([Ru(bpy)₂(sc-CM)]⁺), where ν_em(p) is the phosphorescence frequency and sc-CM is 2-phenylpyridine, benzo[h]quinoline, or 2-phenylpyrimidine. Density functional theory (DFT) modeling of the [Ru(bpy)₂(CM)]⁺ complexes indicated numerous singlet metal-to-ligand charge transfers for ¹MLCT-(Ru-bpy) and ¹MLCT-(Ru-CM), excited states in the low-energy absorption band and ¹ππ*-(aromatic ligand) (¹ππ*-L_Ar) excited states in the high-energy band. DFT modeling of these complexes also indicated phosphorescence-emitting state (T_e) configurations with primary MLCT-(Ru-bpy) characteristics. The variation in ι_em(p) for the spin-forbidden T_e (³MLCT-(Ru-bpy)) excited state of the complex system that was examined in this study can be understood through the spin-orbit coupling (SOC)-mediated sum of intensity stealing (∑SOCM-IS) contribution from the primary intensity of the low-energy ¹MLCT states and second-order intensity perturbation from the significant configuration between the low-energy ¹MLCT and high-energy intense ¹ππ*-L_Ar states. In addition, the observation of unusually high ι_em(p) magnitudes for these [Ru(bpy)₂(π_Ar-CM)]⁺ complexes can be attributed to the values for both intensity factors in the ∑SOCM-IS formalism being individually greater than those for [Ru(bpy)₂(sc-CM)]⁺ ions.

The overlooked NIR luminescence of Cr(ppy)3

Cr(ppy)₃, a structural analog of the green phosphorescent Ir(ppy)₃, emits even in solution at room temperature from a weakly distorted spin-flip state at 910 nm (Hppy = 2-phenylpyridine). The low energy arises from an enhanced covalence of the Cr-C bonds as compared to Cr-N bonds. Lower temperature reduces thermally activated decay increasing the emission intensity.

Singlet Oxygen Formation vs Photodissociation for Light-Responsive Protic Ruthenium Anticancer Compounds: The Oxygenated Substituent Determines Which Pathway Dominates

Ruthenium complexes bearing protic diimine ligands are cytotoxic to certain cancer cells upon irradiation with blue light. Previously reported complexes of the type [(N,N)₂Ru(6,6'-dhbp)]Cl₂ with 6,6'-dhbp = 6,6'-dihydroxybipyridine and N,N = 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) (1_A), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (2_A), and 2,3-dihydro-[1,4]dioxino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline (dop) (3_A) show EC₅₀ values as low as 4 μM (for 3_A) vs breast cancer cells upon blue light irradiation ( Inorg. Chem. 2017, 56, 7519). Herein, subscript A denotes the acidic form of the complex bearing OH groups, and B denotes the basic form bearing O^- groups. This photocytotoxicity was originally attributed to photodissociation, but recent results suggest that singlet oxygen formation is a more plausible cause of photocytotoxicity. In particular, bulky methoxy substituents enhance photodissociation but these complexes are nontoxic ( Dalton Trans 2018, 47, 15685). Cellular studies are presented herein that show the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis indicators upon treatment of cells with complex 3_A and blue light. Singlet oxygen sensor green (SOSG) shows the formation of ¹O₂ in cell culture for cells treated with 3_A and blue light. At physiological pH, complexes 1_A-3_A are deprotonated to form 1_B-3_B in situ. Quantum yields for ¹O₂ (ϕ_Δ) are 0.87 and 0.48 for 2_B and 3_B, respectively, and these are an order of magnitude higher than the quantum yields for 2_A and 3_A. The values for ϕ_Δ show an increase with 6,6'-dhbp derived substituents as follows: OMe < OH < O^-. TD-DFT studies show that the presence of a low lying triplet metal-centered (³MC) state favors photodissociation and disfavors ¹O₂ formation for 2_A and 3_A (OH groups). However, upon deprotonation (O^- groups), the ³MLCT state is accessible and can readily lead to ¹O₂ formation, but the dissociative ³MC state is energetically inaccessible. The changes to the energy of the ³MLCT state upon deprotonation have been confirmed by steady state luminescence experiments on 1_A-3_A and their basic analogs, 1_B-3_B. This energy landscape favors ¹O₂ formation for 2_B and 3_B and leads to enhanced toxicity for these complexes under physiological conditions. The ability to convert readily from OH to O^- groups allowed us to investigate an electronic change that is not accompanied by steric changes in this fundamental study.

MLCT Excited-State Behavior of Trinuclear Ruthenium(II) 2,2'-Bipyridine Complexes

Four trinuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes were synthesized, and a detailed investigation of their excited-state properties was performed. The tritopic sexi-pyridine bridging ligands were obtained via para or meta substitution of a central 2,2'-bipyridine fragment. A para connection between the 2,2'-bipyridine chelating moieties of the bridging ligand led to a red-shifted MLCT absorption band in the visible part of the spectra, whereas the meta connection induced a broadening of the LC transitions in the UV region. A convergent energy transfer from the two peripheral metal centers to the central Ru(II) moiety was observed for all trinuclear complexes. These complexes were in thermal equilibrium with an upper-lying ³MLCT excited state over the investigated range of temperatures. For all complexes, deactivation via the ³MC excited state was absent at room temperature. Importantly, the connection in the para position for both central and peripheral 2,2'-bipyridines of the bridging ligand resulted in a trinuclear complex (T_pp) that absorbed more visible light, had a longer-lived excited state, and had a higher photoluminescence quantum yield than the parent [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, despite its red-shifted photoluminescence. This behavior was attributed to the presence of a highly delocalized excited state for T_pp.

Effects of Ligand Substitution on the Optical and Electrochemical Properties of (Pyridinedipyrrolide)zirconium Photosensitizers

A series of seven bis(pyridinedipyrrolide)zirconium complexes, Zr(^R₁PDP^R₂)₂, where [^R₁PDP^R₂]^2- is the doubly deprotonated form of [2,6-bis(5-R₁-3-R₂-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine], were prepared and characterized in solution by NMR, UV/vis absorption, and emission spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The molecular structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. All complexes exhibit remarkably long emission lifetimes (τ = 190-576 μs) with high quantum efficiencies (Φ_PL = 0.10-0.38) upon excitation with visible light in a benzene solution. The substituents on the pyrrolide rings were shown to have significant effects on the photoluminescence and electrochemical properties of these compounds. The R₂ substituents (R₂ = H, Me, Ph, or C₆F₅) show only limited effects on the absorption and emission profiles of the complexes but allow systematic tuning of the ground- and excited-state redox potentials over a range of almost 600 mV. The R₁ substituents (R₁ = H, Me, Ph, or 2,4,6-Me₃Ph) influence both the optical and electrochemical properties through electronic effects. Additionally, the R₁ substituents have profound consequences for the structural flexibility and overall stability of the compounds. Distortions of the Zr(PDP)₂ core from idealized D_2d symmetry in the solid state can be traced to the steric profiles of the R¹ substituents and correlate with the observed Stokes shifts for each compound. The complex with the smallest ligand system, Zr(^HPDP^H)₂, coordinates two additional solvent molecules in a tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution, which allowed the isolation of photoluminescent, eight-coordinate Zr(^HPDP^H)₂(THF)₂. The photoredox catalytic dehalogenation of aryl iodides and aryl chlorides using the most reducing derivative, Zr(^MePDP^Me)₂, highlights the potential of Zr(PDP)₂ photosensitizers to promote challenging reductive transformations under mild conditions upon excitation with green light.

Non-emissive RuII Polypyridyl Complexes as Efficient and Selective Photosensitizers for the Photooxidation of Benzylamines

Five new Ru^II polypyridyl complexes bearing N-(arylsulfonyl)-8-amidoquinolate ligands and three of their biscyclometalated Ir^III congeners have been prepared and employed as photocatalysts (PCs) in the photooxidation of benzylamines with O₂ . In particular, the new Ru^II complexes do not exhibit photoluminescence, rather they harvest visible light efficiently and are very stable in solution under irradiation with blue light. Their non-emissive behavior has been related to the low electrochemical energy gaps and rationalized on the basis of theoretical calculations (DFT analysis) that predict low S₀ ←T₁ energy values. Moreover, the Ru^II complexes, despite being non-emissive, display excellent activities in the selective photocatalytic transformation of benzylamines into the corresponding imines. The presence of an electron-withdrawing group (-CF3) on the arene ring of the N-(arylsulfonyl)-8-amidoquinolate ligand improves the photocatalytic activity of the corresponding photocatalyst. Furthermore, all the experimental evidence, including transient absorption spectroscopy measurements suggest that singlet oxygen is the actual oxidant. The Ir^III analogues are considerably more photosensitive and consequently less efficient photosensitizers (PSs).

Tuning the excited-state deactivation pathways of dinuclear ruthenium(ii) 2,2′-bipyridine complexes through bridging ligand design

A detailed photophysical study of binuclear complexes was performed using steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements at variable temperature. The results were compared with the prototypical [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺.

H/D solvent isotope effects on the photoracemization reaction of enantiomeric the tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(ii) complex and its analogues

This work assessed solvent isotope effects on the photoracemization rate and emission lifetime for [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) in water.

Low-Temperature Spectra and Density Functional Theory Modeling of Ru(II)-Bipyridine Complexes with Cyclometalated Ancillary Ligands: The Excited State Spin-Orbit Coupling Origin of Variations in Emission Efficiencies

The 77 K emission spectra of cyclometalated ruthenium(II)-2,2'-bipyridine (CM-Ru-bpy) chromophores are very similar to those of related Ru-bpy complexes with am(m)ine or diimmine ancillary ligands, and density functional theory (DFT) modeling confirms that the lowest energy triplet metal to ligand charge transfer (³MLCT) excited states of CM-Ru-bpy and related Ru-bpy complexes have very similar electronic configurations. However, the phosphorescence decay efficiencies of CM-Ru-bpy excited states are about twice those of the conventional Ru-bpy analogues. In contrast to the similar ³MLCT excited state electronic configurations of the two classes of complexes, the CM-Ru-bpy chromophores have much broader visible region MLCT absorptions resulting from several overlapping transitions, even at 87 K. The emitting excited-state emission efficiencies depend on spin-orbit coupling (SOC) mediated intensity stealing from singlet excited states, and this work explores the relationship between the phosphorescence efficiency and visible region absorption spectra of Ru-bpy ³MLCT excited states in the weak SOC limit. The intrinsic ³MLCT emission efficiency, ι_em, depends on mixing with singlet excited states whose Ru^III-dπ-orbital angular momenta differ from that of the emitting state. DFT modeling of the ¹MLCT excited-state electronic configurations that contribute significantly to the lowest energy absorption bands have Ru^III-dπ orbitals that differ from those of their emitting ³MLCT excited states. This leads to a very close relationship between ι_em and the lowest energy MLCT band absorptivities in Ru-bpy chromophores. Thus, the larger number of ¹MLCT transitions that contribute to the lowest energy absorption bands accounts for the enhanced phosphorescence efficiency of Ru-bpy complexes with cyclometalated ancillary ligands.

Photophysical Properties and Photobiological Activities of Ruthenium(II) Complexes Bearing π-Expansive Cyclometalating Ligands with Thienyl Groups

A new family of cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(N^N)₂(C^N)]⁺ derived from the π-extended benzo[h]imidazo[4,5-f]quinolone ligand appended with thienyl groups (n = 1-4, compounds 1-4) was prepared and its members were characterized for their chemical, photophysical, and photobiological properties. The lipophilicities of 1-4, determined as octanol-water partition coefficients (log P_o/w), were positive and increased with the number of thienyl units. The absorption and emission bands of the C^N compounds were red-shifted by up to 200 nm relative to the analogous Ru(II) diimine systems. All of the complexes exhibited dual emission with the intraligand fluorescence (¹IL, C^N-based) shifting to lower energies with increasing n and the metal-to-ligand charge transfer phosphorescence (³MLCT, N^N-based) remaining unchanged. Compounds 1-3 exhibited excited state absorption (ESA) profiles consistent with lowest-lying ³MLCT states when probed by nanosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy with 532 nm excitation and had contributions from ¹IL(C^N) states with 355 nm excitation. These assignments were supported by the lifetimes observed (<10 ns for the ¹IL states and around 20 ns for the ³MLCT states) as well as a noticeable ESA for 3 with 355 nm excitation that did not occur with 532 nm excitation. Compound 4 was the only member of the family with two ³MLCT emissive lifetimes (15, 110 ns), and the TA spectra collected with both 355 and 532 nm excitation was assigned to the ³IL state, which was corroborated by its 4-6 μs lifetime. The ESA for 4 had a rise time of approximately 10 ns and an initial decay of 110 ns, which suggests a possible ³MLCT-³IL excited state equilibrium that results in delayed emission from the ³MLCT state. Compound 4 was nontoxic toward human skin melanoma cells (SKMEL28) in the dark (EC₅₀ = >300 μM); 1-3 were cytotoxic and yielded EC₅₀ values between 1 and 20 μM. The photocytotoxicites with visible light ranged from 87 nM with a phototherapeutic index (PI) of 13 for 1 to approximately 1 μM (PI = >267) for 4. With red light, EC₅₀ values varied from 270 nM (PI = 21) for 3 to 12 μM for 4 (PI = >25). The larger PIs for 4, especially with visible light, were attributed to the much lower dark cytotoxicity for this compound. Because the dark cytotoxicity contributes substantially to the observed photocytotoxicity for 1-3, it was not possible to assess whether the ³IL state of 4 led to a much more potent phototoxic mechanism in the absence of dark toxicity. There was no stark contrast in cellular uptake and accumulation by laser scanning confocal and differential interference contrast microscopy to explain the large differences in dark toxicities between 1-3 and 4. Nevertheless, the study highlights a new family of Ru(II) C^N complexes where π-conjugation beyond a certain point results in low dark cytotoxicity with high photocytotoxicity, opposing the notion that cyclometalated Ru(II) systems are too toxic to be phototherapeutic agents.

Halide Photoredox Chemistry

Halide photoredox chemistry is of both practical and fundamental interest. Practical applications have largely focused on solar energy conversion with hydrogen gas, through HX splitting, and electrical power generation, in regenerative photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic cells. On a more fundamental level, halide photoredox chemistry provides a unique means to generate and characterize one electron transfer chemistry that is intimately coupled with X-X bond-breaking and -forming reactivity. This review aims to deliver a background on the solution chemistry of I, Br, and Cl that enables readers to understand and utilize the most recent advances in halide photoredox chemistry research. These include reactions initiated through outer-sphere, halide-to-metal, and metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited states. Kosower's salt, 1-methylpyridinium iodide, provides an early outer-sphere charge-transfer excited state that reports on solvent polarity. A plethora of new inner-sphere complexes based on transition and main group metal halide complexes that show promise for HX splitting are described. Long-lived charge-transfer excited states that undergo redox reactions with one or more halogen species are detailed. The review concludes with some key goals for future research that promise to direct the field of halide photoredox chemistry to even greater heights.

Iodide Photoredox and Bond Formation Chemistry

Iodide redox chemistry is intimately coupled with the formation and breaking of chemical bonds that are relevant to emerging solar energy technologies. In this Account, recent advances in dye-sensitized iodide oxidation chemistry in organic solutions are described. Here Ru^II sensitizers with high cationic charge, tuned reduction potentials, and specific iodide receptor site(s) are shown to self-assemble in organic solvents and yield structures that rapidly oxidize iodide and generate I-I bonds when illuminated with visible light. These studies provided new insights into the fascinating behavior of our most polarizable and easily oxidized monatomic anion. Sensitized iodide photo-oxidation in CH₃CN solutions consists of two mechanistic steps. In the first step, an excited-state sensitizer oxidizes iodide (I^-) to an iodine atom (I^•) through diffusional encounters. The second step involves the reaction of I^• with I^- to form the I-I bond of diiodide, I₂^•-. The overall reaction converts a green photon into about 1.64 eV of free energy in the form of I₂^•- and the reduced sensitizer. The free energy is only transiently available, as back-electron transfer to yield ground-state products is quantitative. Interestingly, when the free energy change is near zero, iodide photo-oxidation occurs rapidly with rate constants near the diffusion limit, i.e., >10¹⁰ M^-1 s^-1. Such rapid reactivity is in line with anecdotal knowledge that iodide is an outstanding electron donor and is indicative of adiabatic electron transfer through an inner-sphere mechanism. In low-dielectric-constant solvents, dicationic Ru^II sensitizers were found to form tight ion pairs with iodide. Diimine ligands with additional cationic charge, or "binding pockets" that recognize halides, have been utilized to position one or more halides at specific locations about the sensitizer before light absorption. Diverse photochemical reactions observed with these supramolecular assemblies range from the photorelease of halides to the formation of I-I bonds where both iodides present in the ground-state assembly react. Natural population analysis through density functional theory calculations accurately predicts the site(s) of iodide ion-pairing and provides information on the associated free energy change. The ability to direct light-driven bond formation in these ionic assemblies is extended to chloride and bromide ions. The structure-property relationships identified, and those that continue to emerge, may one day allow for the rational design of molecules and materials that drive desired halide transformations when illuminated with light.

Cyclometalated Ruthenium(II) Complexes Derived from α-Oligothiophenes as Highly Selective Cytotoxic or Photocytotoxic Agents

The photophysical and photobiological properties of a new class of cyclometalated ruthenium(II) compounds incorporating π-extended benzo[ h]imidazo[4,5- f]quinoline (IBQ) cyclometalating ligands (C^N) bearing thienyl rings ( n = 1-4, compounds 1-4) were investigated. Their octanol-water partition coefficients (log P_o/w) were positive and increased with n. Their absorption and emission energies were red-shifted substantially compared to the analogous Ru(II) diimine (N^N) complexes. They displayed C^N-based intraligand (IL) fluorescence and triplet excited-state absorption that shifted to longer wavelengths with increasing n and N^N-based metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) phosphorescence that was independent of n. Their photoluminescence lifetimes (τ_em) ranged from 4-10 ns for ¹IL states and 12-18 ns for ³MLCT states. Transient absorption lifetimes (τ_TA) were 5-8 μs with 355 nm excitation, ascribed to ³IL states that became inaccessible for 1-3 with 532 nm excitation (1-3, τ_TA = 16-17 ns); the ³IL of 4 only was accessible by lower energy excitation, τ_TA = 3.8 μs. Complex 4 was nontoxic (EC₅₀ > 300 μM) to SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells and CCD1064-Sk normal skin fibroblasts in the dark, while 3 was selectively cytotoxic to melanoma (EC₅₀= 5.1 μM) only. Compounds 1 and 2 were selective for melanoma cells in the dark, with submicromolar potencies (EC₅₀ = 350-500 nM) and selectivity factors (SFs) around 50. The photocytotoxicities of compounds 1-4 toward melanoma cells were similar, but only compounds 3 and 4 displayed significant phototherapeutic indices (PIs; 3, 43; 4, >1100). The larger cytotoxicities for compounds 1 and 2 were attributed to increased cellular uptake and nuclear accumulation, and possibly related to the DNA-aggregating properties of all four compounds as demonstrated by cell-free gel mobility-shift assays. Together, these results demonstrate a new class of thiophene-containing Ru(II) cyclometalated compounds that contain both highly selective chemotherapeutic agents and extremely potent photocytotoxic agents.