Electronic and photophysical properties of a novel phenol bound dinuclear ruthenium complex: evidence for a luminescent mixed valence stateElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Resonance Raman and ES MS spectra. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/dt/b4/b405114a/

Bio-inspired Photocatalytic Ruthenium Complexes: Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Solvatochromic Effect

We report the synthesis, characterization, and photo-physical properties of two new ruthenium^II -phenol-imidazole complexes. These bio-mimetic complexes have potential as photocatalysts for water splitting. Owing to their multiple phenol-imidazole groups, they have a higher probability of light-induced radical formation than existing complexes. The newly synthesized complexes show improved overlap with the solar spectrum compared to other ruthenium^II -phenol-imidazole complexes, and their measured lifetimes are suitable for light-induced radical formation. In addition, we conducted solvatochromic absorption measurements, which elegantly follow Marcus theory, and demonstrate the symmetry differences between the two complexes. The solvatochromic measurements further imply electron localization onto one of the ligands. The new complexes may find applications in photocatalysis, dye-sensitized solar cells, biomedicine, and sensing. Moreover, their multiple chelating units make them promising candidates for light-activated metal organic radical frameworks, i.e. metal-organic frameworks that contain organic radicals activated by light.

Unconventional mixed-valent complexes of ruthenium and osmium

Recent developments have helped to extend the repertoire of mixed-valent ruthenium and osmium complexes beyond conventional systems. This extension has been achieved by using sophisticated ligands and by creating more variegated coordination patterns. The strategies employed include the use of multidentate ligands (which give rise to multinuclear and chelate complexes) and the use several redox active components (non-innocent ligands and oxidation-state ambivalence). The results offer enhanced chemical insight into metal-ligand electron-transfer situations and suggest that mixed-valent materials may eventually be exploited in molecular electronics and molecular computing.

Non-innocent behaviour of ancillary and bridging ligands in homovalent and mixed-valent ruthenium complexes [A2Ru(µ-L)RuA2]n, A = 2,4-pentanedionato or 2-phenylazopyridine, L2−= 2,5-bis(2-oxidophenyl)pyrazine

Structurally characterised 2,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyrazine (H2L) can be partially or fully deprotonated to form the complexes [(acac)2Ru(mu-L)Ru(acac)2], [1], acac = acetylacetonato = 2,4-pentanedionato, [(pap)2Ru(mu-L)Ru(pap)2](ClO4)2, [2](ClO4)2, pap = 2-phenylazopyridine, or [(pap)2Ru(HL)](ClO4), [3](ClO4). Several reversible oxidation and reduction processes were observed in each case and were analysed with respect to oxidation state alternatives through EPR and UV-VIS-NIR spectroelectrochemistry. In relation to previously reported compounds with 2,2'-bipyridine as ancillary ligands the complex redox system [1]n is distinguished by a preference for metal-based electron transfer whereas the systems [2]n and [3]n favour an invariant Ru(II) state. Accordingly, the paramagnetic forms of [1]n, n = -, 0, +, exhibit metal-centred spin whereas the odd-electron intermediates [2]+, [2](3+) and [3] show radical-type EPR spectra. A comparison with analogous complexes involving the 3,6-bis(2-oxidophenyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine reveals the diminished pi acceptor capability of the pyrazine-containing bridge.

Photoinduced Energy- and Electron-Transfer Processes in Dinuclear RuII-OsII, RuII-OsIII, and RuIII-OsII Trisbipyridine Complexes Containing a Shape-Persistent Macrocyclic Spacer

The PF6- salt of the dinuclear [(bpy)2Ru(1)Os(bpy)2]4+ complex, where 1 is a phenylacetylene macrocycle which incorporates two 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) chelating units in opposite sites of its shape-persistent structure, was prepared. In acetonitrile solution, the Ru- and Os-based units display their characteristic absorption spectra and electrochemical properties as in the parent homodinuclear compounds. The luminescence spectrum, however, shows that the emission band of the Ru(II) unit is almost completely quenched with concomitant sensitization of the emission of the Os(II) unit. Electronic energy transfer from the Ru(II) to the Os(II) unit takes place by two distinct processes (k(en) = 2.0x10(8) and 2.2x10(7) s(-1) at 298 K). Oxidation of the Os(II) unit of [(bpy)2Ru(1)Os(bpy)2]4+ by Ce(IV) or nitric acid leads quantitatively to the [(bpy)2Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+ complex which exhibits a bpy-to-Os(III) charge-transfer band at 720 nm (epsilon(max) = 250 M(-1) cm(-1)). Light excitation of the Ru(II) unit of [(bpy)2Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+ is followed by electron transfer from the Ru(II) to the Os(III) unit (k(el,f) = 1.6x10(8) and 2.7x10(7) s(-1)), resulting in the transient formation of the [(bpy)2Ru(III)(1)Os(II)(bpy)2]5+ complex. The latter species relaxes to the [(bpy)2Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+ one by back electron transfer (k(el,b) = 9.1x10(7) and 1.2x10(7) s(-1)). The biexponential decays of the [(bpy)2*Ru(II)(1)Os(II)(bpy)2]4+, [(bpy)2*Ru(II)(1)Os(III)(bpy)2]5+, and [(bpy)2Ru(III)(1)Os(II)(bpy)2]5+ species are related to the presence of two conformers, as expected because of the steric hindrance between hydrogen atoms of the pyridine and phenyl rings. Comparison of the results obtained with those previously reported for other Ru-Os polypyridine complexes shows that the macrocyclic ligand 1 is a relatively poor conducting bridge.