Sensitivity of the valence structure in diruthenium complexes as a function of terminal and bridging ligands

Structural and electronic forms of doubly oxido/Pz and triply oxido/(Pz)2 bridged mixed valent and isovalent diruthenium complexes (Pz = pyrazolate)

The article reported on the diastereomeric dinuclear mixed-valent complexes [(acac)₂Ru(III)(μ-O)(μ-Pz^R)Ru(IV)(acac)₂] (R = H, Me, meso: ΔΛ, 1a-1c; rac: ΔΔ/ΛΛ, 2a-2c) and rac-[(acac)₂Ru(III)(μ-O)(μ-Iz)Ru(IV)(acac)₂], (2d) (HPz = pyrazole, HIz = indazole, acac = acetylacetonate). Moreover, the diruthenium(II,II) complexes [(HPz)₃Ru(II)(μ-O)(μ-Pz)₂ Ru(II)(HPz)₃] (3a) and [(HIz)₃Ru(II)(μ-O)(μ-Iz)₂Ru(II)(HIz)₃] (3d) were presented. The analogous form of 3a, i.e., [(HPz)₂(Pz)Ru(III)(μ-O)(μ-Pz)₂Ru(III)(Pz)(HPz)₂], was previously reported. Single crystal X-ray structures of 1a-1c/2a-2d and representative 3a showed their molecular forms, including the diastereomeric nature of the former. The Ru-O-Ru angle decreased appreciably on switching from doubly bridged 1 and 2 (128-135°) to triply bridged 3a (114°). Both series of complexes displayed rhombic symmetry in their EPR spectra, with g₁ and g₂ being very similar for 1a-1c with an almost axial look. The mixed-valence complex with a Ru(III)Ru(IV) (S = 1/2) state of 1 and 2 would lead to iso-valence complexes of Ru(III)Ru(III) and Ru(IV)Ru(IV) with an EPR inactive state by one electron redox reaction. On the other hand, metal based {Ru(II)Ru(II)/Ru(II)Ru(III), 3a/3a⁺} and terminal ligand (HPz/HPz^-, 3a/3a^-) based redox processes displayed anisotropic and free radical EPR, respectively. An IVCT (intervalence charge transfer) band was found for the delocalised mixed valent 1 and 2 {Ru(III)Ru(IV)} or 3a⁺ {Ru(II)Ru(III)} in the NIR region. The intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions of 1-3 in the visible region varied systematically as a function of the metal oxidation state.

A "Pretender" Croconate-Bridged Macrocyclic Tetraruthenium Complex: Sizable Redox Potential Splittings despite Electronically Insulated Divinylphenylene Diruthenium Entities

Careful optimization of the reaction conditions provided access to the particularly small tetraruthenium macrocycle ²Ru₂Ph-Croc, which is composed out of two redox-active divinylphenylene-bridged diruthenium entities {Ru}-1,4-CH=CH-C₆H₄-CH=CH-{Ru} (Ru₂Ph; {Ru} = Ru(CO)Cl(PⁱPr₃)₂) and two likewise redox-active and potentially non-innocent croconate linkers. According to single X-ray diffraction analysis, the central cavity of ²Ru₂Ph-Croc is shielded by the bulky PⁱPr₃ ligands, which come into close contact. Cyclic voltammetry revealed two pairs of split anodic waves in the weakly ion pairing CH₂Cl₂/NBu₄BAr^F₂₄ (BAr^F₂₄ = [B{C₆H₃(CF₃)₂-3,5}₄]⁻ electrolyte, while the third and fourth waves fall together in CH₂Cl₂/NBu₄PF₆. The various oxidized forms were electrogenerated and scrutinized by IR and UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy. This allowed us to assign the individual oxidations to the metal-organic Ru₂Ph entities within ²Ru₂Ph-Croc, while the croconate ligands remain largely uninvolved. The lack of specific NIR bands that could be assigned to intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) in the mono- and trications indicates that these mixed-valent species are strictly charge-localized. ²Ru₂Ph-Croc is hence an exemplary case, where stepwise IR band shifts and quite sizable redox splittings between consecutive one-electron oxidations would, on first sight, point to electronic coupling, but are exclusively due to electrostatic and inductive effects. This makes ²Ru₂Ph-Croc a true “pretender”.

Variable electronic structure and spin distribution in bis(2,2'-bipyridine)-metal complexes (M = Ru or Os) of 4,5-dioxido- and 4,5-diimido-pyrene

The odd-electron compounds [M(bpy)₂(L¹)](ClO₄) M = Ru ([1](ClO₄)) or Os ([2](ClO₄)), and the even-electron species [M(bpy)₂(H₂L²)](ClO₄)₂, M = Ru ([3](ClO₄)₂) or Os ([4](ClO₄)₂) were obtained from pyrene-4,5-dione, L¹, or 4,5-diaminopyrene, H₄L², and were characterised structurally, electrochemically and spectroscopically. Experimental and computational analysis (TD-DFT) revealed rather different electronic structures and spin distributions of the paramagnetic monocations 1⁺-4⁺. EPR investigations and electronic absorption studies exhibit increasing metal contributions to the singly occupied MO along the series 1⁺ < 3⁺ < 4⁺ < 2⁺, illustrated by g value and long-wavelength absorbance. In addition to variations of the metal (Ru,Os) and the donor atoms (O,NH) the extension of the π system of the semiquinone-type ligand has a large effect on the electronic structure of the paramagnetic cations.

On the non-innocence and reactive versus non-reactive nature of α-diketones in a set of diruthenium frameworks

Slightly modified ligand designs in diruthenium setups have major impacts on the reactivity/stability of coordination complexes. The 1,2-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethane-1,2-dione bridge is also potentially redox non-innocent.

Noninnocence of the deprotonated 1,2-bis((1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)hydrazine bridge in diruthenium frameworks - a function of co-ligands

The article deals with the sensitive electronic forms in accessible redox states of structurally and spectroscopically authenticated deprotonated 1,2-bis((1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)hydrazine (H2LR, R = H) or 1,2-bis((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)hydrazine (H2LR, R = Me), a BODIPY analogue bridged diruthenium complex as a function of varying ancillary ligands. It involved rac-(acac)2RuIII(μ-LR 2-)RuIII(acac)21a, R = H; 1b, R = Me (S = 1, acac = acetylacetonate), rac-[(bpy)2RuII(μ-L2-)RuII(bpy)2](ClO4)2 [2](ClO4)2 (S = 0, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and diastereomeric [(pap)2RuII(μ-L2-)RuII(pap)2](ClO4)2meso-[3a](ClO4)2/rac-[3b](ClO4)2 (S = 0, pap = phenylazopyridine). The crystal structure established the linkage of the conjugated -C5[double bond, length as m-dash]N2-N3[double bond, length as m-dash]C6- central unit with the two terminal deprotonated pyrrole units of coordinated L2-. The bridging L2- in 1a, 1b, [2](ClO4)2, [3b](ClO4)2 and [3a](ClO4)2 was slightly twisted and planar with torsional angles of 41.54°, 42.91°, 37.38°, 35.33° and 0°, respectively, with regard to the central N2-N3 bond. The extent of twisting of the bridge followed an inverse relationship with the RuRu separation: 4.935/4.934 Å 1a/1b < 5.141 Å [2](ClO4)2 < 5.201 Å [3b](ClO4)2 < 5.351 Å [3a](ClO4)2. This is also attributed to the intermolecular ππ/CHπ interactions between the nearby aromatic rings of L and bpy or pap in [2](ClO4)2 or [3](ClO4)2, respectively. The multiple redox steps of the complexes varied appreciably based on the σ-donating (acac) and π-acidic (bpy, pap) characteristics of the ancillary ligands. Experimental (structure, EPR) and theoretical (DFT) evaluation pertaining to the electronic forms of 1n, 2n and 3n demonstrated the preferential involvement of L based frontier orbitals in electron transfer processes even in combination with the redox facile ruthenium ion. This in turn highlighted its redox non-innocent feature as in the case of well-documented metal coordinated quinonoid, formazanate, diimine (bpy), azo (pap) and β-diketiminate functions.

A Diruthenium Complex of an N-Pyridyl-o-aminophenol Derivative: A Route to Mixed Valency

An N-pyridyl-o-aminophenol derivative that stabilises mixed-valence states of ruthenium ions is disclosed. A diruthenium complex, [(L_IQ ⁰ )Ru₂ Cl₅ ]⋅MeOH (1⋅MeOH) is successfully isolated, in which L_IQ ⁰ is the o-iminobenzoquinone form of 2-[(3-nitropyridin-2-yl)amino]phenol (L_AP H₂ ). In 1, L_IQ ⁰ oriented towards one ruthenium centre is a non-innocent NO-donor redox ligand, whereas another oriented towards another ruthenium centre is an innocent pyridine-donor redox ligand. Complex 1 is a diruthenium(II,III) mixed-valence complex, [Ru^II (L_IQ ⁰ )(μ-Cl)₂ Ru^III ], with a minor contribution from the diruthenium(III,III) state. [Ru^III (L_ISQ ^.- )(μ-Cl)₂ Ru^III ] contains L_ISQ ^.- , which is the o-iminobenzosemiquinonate anion radical form of the ligand. Complexes 1^- and 1⁺ are diruthenium(II,II), [Ru^II (L_IQ ⁰ )(μ-Cl)₂ Ru^II ], and diruthenium(III,III), [Ru^III (L_IQ ⁰ )(μ-Cl)₂ Ru^III ], complexes, respectively, of L_IQ ⁰ . Complex 1^2- is a diruthenium(II,II) complex of the o-iminobenzosemiquinonate anion radical (L_ISQ ^.- ), [Ru^II (L_ISQ ^.- )(μ-Cl)₂ Ru^II ], with a minor contribution from the diruthenium(III,II) form, [Ru^III (L_AP ^2- )(μ-Cl)₂ Ru^II ]. Complex 1²⁺ is a diruthenium(III,IV) mixed-valence complex of L_IQ ⁰ , [Ru^III (L_IQ ⁰ )(μ-Cl)₂ Ru^IV ]. Complexes 1 and 1²⁺ exhibit inter-valence charge-transfer transitions at λ=1300 and 1370 nm, respectively.

Diverse modes of functionalisation of ruthenium coordinated β-ketoiminate analogues

Varying chelation assisted as well as solvent dependent reactivity profiles of isostructural β-ketoiminate analogues explicate their non-spectator behaviour and fractional redox non-innocence.

Non-innocence and mixed valency in tri- and tetranuclear ruthenium complexes of a heteroquinone bridging ligand

The potential of a heteroquinone to bridge up to four metal fragments has been structurally elucidated and multiple redox processes have been ascertained.

A structurally characterised redox pair involving an indigo radical: indigo based redox activity in complexes with one or two [Ru(bpy)2] fragments

Various radical intermediates of the non-innocently behaving dehydroindigo ligand were characterized by EPR, spectroelectrochemistry and structure analysis.

Impact of {Os(pap)2} in fine-tuning the binding modes and non-innocent potential of deprotonated 2,2'-bipyridine-3,3'-diol

The reaction of ctc-Os(II)(pap)2Cl2 (pap = 2-phenylazopyridine, ctc = cis-trans-cis with respect to chlorides and pyridine/azo nitrogens of pap, respectively) and ambidentate 2,2'-bipyridine-3,3'-diol (H2L) leads to the simultaneous formation of isomeric [Os(II)(pap)2(HL(-))](+) ((2+)/(3+)), seven-membered chelate containing Os(II)(pap)2(L(2-)) (4) and diastereomeric [{Os(II)(pap)2}2(μ-L(2-))](2+) (5a(2+) (meso, ΔΛ)/5b(2+) (rac, ΔΔ/ΛΛ)). The reaction of 2,2'-biphenol (H2L') and ctc-Os(II)(pap)2Cl2 yields Os(II)(pap)2(L'(2-)) (6), an analogue of 4. The identities of the newly designed complexes have been established by different analytical, spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction techniques. (1)H-NMR spectra of the complexes and single crystal X-ray structures of selective derivatives [2]ClO4, [3]ClO4, [5a](ClO4)2, and 6 establish the retention of the tc-configuration of the precursor {Os(pap)2}. In isomeric 2(+) and 3(+), monodeprotonated HL(-) is linked to the {Os(II)(pap)2} fragment through N,N and N,O(-) donors, resulting in nearly planar five- and six-membered chelates with O-HO(-) and O-HN hydrogen bonds at its back face, respectively. The O(-),O(-) donating L'(2-) extends a severely twisted seven-membered chelate with the {Os(pap)2} unit in 6. The N,O(-)/O(-),N donors of deprotonated L(2-) bridge the two {Os(II)(pap)2} units in a symmetric fashion in 5a(2+), forming two moderately twisted six-membered chelates. Though the deprotonation of the O-HN hydrogen bond in (+) by another unit of {Os(II)(pap)2} generates a diastereomeric mixture of 5a(2+) and 5b(2+), attempts to deprotonate the relatively stronger O-H···O(-) hydrogen bond in 2(+) have failed. The isomeric 2(+)/3(+), seven-membered chelate containing 4/6 and diastereomeric 5a(2+)/5b(2+) exhibit distinctive (1)H-NMR and absorption spectra as well as electrochemical responses. The pap (N[double bond, length as m-dash]N) based two successive reductions and the participation of HL(-), L(2-), L'(2-) in the oxidation processes of the respective complexes have been revealed using EPR and DFT calculated MOs and Mulliken spin density plots at the intermediate paramagnetic states.

A compact planar low-energy-gap molecule with a donor-acceptor-donor nature based on a bimetal dithiolene complex

We present the first report of a compact, planar and low-energy-gap molecule based on a π-conjugated bimetal system comprising a tetrathiooxalate (tto) skeleton. The observed low HOMO-LUMO energy gap (1.19 eV) is attributed to its donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) nature because the skeleton acts as an electron acceptor as well as a tiny and noninnocent bridging moiety.

Cyclometalated Osmium-Amine Electronic Communication through the p-Oligophenylene Wire

A series of bis-tridentate cyclometalated osmium complexes with a redox-active triarylamine substituent have been prepared, where the amine substituent is separated from the osmium ion by a p-oligophenylene wire of various lengths. X-ray crystallographic data of complexes 3(PF6) and 4(PF6) with three or four repeating phenyl units between the osmium ion and the amine substituent are presented. These complexes show two consecutive anodic redox couples between +0.1 and +0.9 V vs Ag/AgCl, with the potential splitting in the range of 300-390 mV. A combined experimental and theoretical study suggests that, in the one-electron-oxidized state, the odd electron is delocalized for short congeners and localized on the osmium component for long congeners. The electronic coupling parameter (Vab) was estimated by the Marcus-Hush analysis. The distance dependence plot of ln(Vab) versus the osmium-amine geometrical distance (Rab) gives a negative linear relationship with a decay slope of -0.19 Å(-1), which is slightly steeper with respect to the previously reported ruthenium-amine series with the same molecular wire. DFT calculations with the long-range-corrected UCAM-B3LYP functional gave more reasonable results for the osmium complexes with respect to those with UB3LYP.

Recognition of fractional non-innocent feature of osmium coordinated 2,2′-biimidazole or 2,2′-bis(4,5-dimethylimidazole) and their interactions with anions

The non-innocent feature of osmium coordinated doubly deprotonated 2,2′-biimidazole derivatives in symmetric dimeric complexes leads to a mixed electronic structural configuration.

Counter-ligand control of the electronic structure in dinuclear copper-tetrakisguanidine complexes

Decision-making counter-ligands: a bridging redox-active ligand in a dinuclear copper complex could be either neutral (complex type [Cu^II-GFA-Cu^II]) or dicationic (complex type [Cu^I-GFA-Cu^I]), depending on the nature of the counter-ligands X.