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

A bis(PCN) palladium pincer complex with a remarkably planar 2,5-diarylpyrazine core

A bimetallic Pd complex of a bis(pincer) with a diarylpyrazine core has been prepared. The complex demonstrates near-perfect coplanarity of the aromatic core, is fluorescent under UV irradiation, and displays two quasi-reversible reduction events.

Unprecedented metal-metal bonded {Ru4(μ3-O)2} butterfly core in oxido-carboxylato bridged mixed valence cluster-structural elucidation and electronic forms in accessible redox states

Unprecedented metal-metal bonded oxido-carboxylato bridged mixed valence tetraruthenium cluster [(acac)₆Ru(μ₃-O)₂(μ-CH₃COO)₃] 1 (S = 1/2) (acac = acetylacetonate) with {Ru₄(μ₃-O)₂} "butterfly" core has been achieved via the reaction of Ru(acac)₂(CH₃CN)₂ with excess CH₃COONa (Ru : CH₃COONa = 1 : 15) in refluxing EtOH-H₂O (5 : 1). Structural analysis of 1 ascertained a unique Ru-Ru bonded (Ru2-Ru3: 2.5187(6) Å (DFT: 2.560 Å)) {Ru₂(Ru-Ru)(μ₃-O)₂} butterfly core, unlike the reported other Fe₄ or Mn₄ derived "butterfly" core. The connectivity of Ru₄(μ₃-O)₂ core in 1 with three Ru₂(μ-CH₃COO)₃ and two each Ru-(acac)₂/Ru-acac units resulted in interconnected four RuO₆ octahedral entities. The doubly bridged μ₃-O^2- ions of the nearly planar central metal-metal bonded Ru₂O₂ core (Ru2-Ru3, "body" or "hinge") linked to the remaining two "wing-tip" Ru atoms (Ru1 and Ru4). Complex 1 with a S = 1/2 spin state displayed paramagnetically shifted ¹H NMR over a wide chemical shift range in CDCl₃ (δ, 13 to -30 ppm) and a metal based anisotropic EPR (g₁ = 2.17, g₂ = 2.01, g₃ = 1.86; Δg = g₁-g₃ = 0.31 and 〈g〉 = [1/3(g₁² + g₂² + g₃²]^1/2 = 2.01) at 100 K in CH₃CN-toluene. The metal based one-electron reversible oxidation at 0.49 V and reduction at 0.485 V versus SCE of 1 led to the EPR inactive (even at 4 K) spin-coupled Ru^IIIRu^IIIRu^IVRu^IV (S = 0) and Ru^IIIRu^IIIRu^IIIRu^III (S = 0) electronic configurations for 1⁺ and 1^-, respectively. Mixed valence 1 and 1⁺ exhibited low-energy near-infrared (NIR) absorption bands at 1350 nm and 1156 nm, respectively, in CH₃CN. A combined experimental (UV-vis-NIR and EPR spectroelectrochemistry) and theoretical (DFT) analysis indicated a delocalised mixed valence form of 1 ({Ru₂(Ru-Ru)(μ₃-O)₂}).

A dinuclear [{(p-cym)Ru(II)Cl}2(μ-bpytz˙(-))](+) complex bridged by a radical anion: synthesis, spectroelectrochemical, EPR and theoretical investigation (bpytz = 3,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)1,2,4,5-tetrazine; p-cym = p-cymene)

The reaction of the chloro-bridged dimeric precursor [{(p-cym)Ru(II)Cl}(μ-Cl)]2 (p-cym = p-cymene) with the bridging ligand 3,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (bpytz) in ethanol results in the formation of the dinuclear complex [{(p-cym)Ru(II)Cl}2(μ-bpytz˙(-))](+), [1](+). The bridging tetrazine ligand is reduced to the anion radical (bpytz˙(-)) which connects the two Ru(II) centres. Compound [1](PF6) has been characterised by an array of spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The radical anion character has been confirmed by magnetic moment (corresponding to one electron paramagnetism) measurement, EPR spectroscopic investigation (tetrazine radical anion based EPR spectrum) as well as density functional theory based calculations. Complex [1](+) displays two successive one electron oxidation processes at 0.66 and 1.56 V versus Ag/AgCl which can be attributed to [{(p-cym)Ru(II)C}2(μ-bpytz˙(-))](+)/[{(p-cym)Ru(II)Cl}2(μ-bpytz)](2+) and [{(p-cym)Ru(II)Cl}2(μ-bpytz)](+)/[{(p-cym)Ru(III)Cl}2(μ-bpytz)](2+) processes (couples I and II), respectively. The reduction processes (couple III-couple V), which are irreversible, likely involve the successive reduction of the bridging ligand and the metal centres together with loss of the coordinated chloride ligands. UV-Vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical investigation reveals typical tetrazine radical anion containing bands for [1](+) and a strong absorption in the visible region for the oxidized form [1](2+), which can be assigned to a Ru(II) → π* (tetrazine) MLCT transition. The assignment of spectroscopic bands was confirmed by theoretical calculations.

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.

Electronic structures and selective fluoride sensing features of Os(bpy)2(HL2−) and [{Os(bpy)2}2(μ-HL2−)]2+ (H3L: 5-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-1H-imidazole-4-carboxylic acid)

The non-innocence of coordinated HL²⁻ in [(bpy)₂Os(HL²⁻)]ⁿ (1ⁿ) and (2ⁿ) and their selectivity towards F⁻ recognition were evaluated.

Strong metal-metal coupling in mixed-valent intermediates [Cl(L)Ru(μ-tppz)Ru(L)Cl]+, L = β-diketonato ligands, tppz = 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine

Five diruthenium(II) complexes [Cl(L)Ru(μ-tppz)Ru(L)Cl] (1-5) containing differently substituted β-diketonato derivatives (1: L = 2,4-pentanedionato; 2: L = 3,5-heptanedionato; 3: L = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato; 4: L = 3-methyl-2,4-pentanedionato; 5: L = 3-ethyl-2,4-pentanedionato) as ancillary ligands (L) were synthesized and studied by spectroelectrochemistry (UV-Vis-NIR, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)). X-ray structural characterisation revealed anti (1, 2, 5) or syn (3) configuration as well as non-planarity of the bis-tridentate tppz bridge and strong dπ(Ru(II)) → π*(pyrazine, tppz) back-bonding. The widely separated one-electron oxidation steps, Ru(II)Ru(II)/Ru(II)Ru(III) and Ru(II)Ru(III)/Ru(III)Ru(III), result in large comproportionation constants (K(c)) of ≥10(10) for the mixed-valent intermediates. The syn-configurated (n) exhibits a particularly high K(c) of 10(12) for n = 1+, accompanied by density functional theory (DFT)-calculated minimum Ru-N bond lengths for this Ru(II)Ru(III) intermediate. The electrogenerated mixed-valent states 1(+)-5(+) exhibit anisotropic EPR spectra at 110 K with average values <g> of 2.304-2.234 and g anisotropies Δg = g(1)-g(3) of 0.82-0.99. Metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) absorptions occur for 1(+)-5(+) in the NIR region at 1660 nm-1750 nm (ε ≈ 2700 dm(3) mol(-1) cm(-1), Δν(1/2) ≈ 1800 cm(-1)). DFT calculations of 1(+) and 3(+) yield comparable Mulliken spin densities of about 0.60 for the metal ions, corresponding to valence-delocalised situations (Ru(2.5))(2). Rather large spin densities of about -0.4 were calculated for the tppz bridges in 1(+) and 3(+). The calculated electronic interaction values (V(AB)) for 1(+)-5(+) are about 3000 cm(-1), comparable to that for the Creutz-Taube ion at 3185 cm(-1). The DFT calculations predict that the Ru(III)Ru(III) forms in 1(2+)-5(2+) prefer a triplet (S = 1) ground state with ΔE (S = 0 - S = 1) ∼5000 cm(-1). One-electron reduction takes place at the tppz bridge which results in species [Cl(L)Ru(II)(μ-tppz˙(-))Ru(II)(L)Cl](-) (1˙(-)-3˙(-), 5˙(-)) which exhibit free radical-type EPR signals and NIR transitions typical of the tppz radical anion. The system 4(n) is distinguished by lability of the Ru-Cl bonds.

Binuclear ruthenium complexes of a neutral radical bridging ligand. A new "spin" on mixed valency

The electronic structures of (LX)2Ru(Vd)Ru(LX)2 complexes (Vd = 1,5-diisopropyl-3-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)-6-oxoverdazyl radical; LX = acac (acetylacetonate) or hfac (hexafluoroacetylacetonate)) in multiple charge states have been investigated experimentally and computationally. The main focus was to probe the consequences of the interplay between the ruthenium ions and the redox-active verdazyl ligand for possible mixed-valent behavior. Cyclic voltammetry studies reveal one reversible reduction and one reversible oxidation process for both complexes; in addition the acac-based derivative possesses a second reversible oxidation. Analysis of a collection of experimental (X-ray structures, EPR, electronic spectra) and computational (TD-DFT (PCM)) data reveal that the ruthenium ancillary ligands (acac vs hfac) have dramatic consequences for the electronic structures of the complexes in all charge states studied. In the hfac series, the neutral complex is best regarded as a binuclear Ru(II) species bridged by a neutral radical ligand. Reduction to give the anionic complex takes place on the verdazyl ligand, whereas oxidation to the cation (a closed shell species) is shared between Vd and ruthenium. For the acac-based complexes, the neutral species is most accurately represented as a Ru(II)/Ru(III) mixed valent complex containing a bridging verdazyl anion, though some bis(Ru(II))-neutral radical character remains. The monocation complex contains a significant contribution from a "broken symmetry" singlet diradical structure, best represented as a bis-Ru(III) system with an anionic ligand, with significant spin coupling of the two Ru(III) centers via the Vd(-1) ligand (calculated J = -218 cm(-1)). The dication, a spin doublet, consists of two Ru(III) ions linked (and antiferromagnetically coupled) to the neutral radical ligand. Computed net σ- and π-back-donation, spin densities, and orbital populations are provided. Time dependent DFT is used to predict the optical spectra and assign experimental data.

Experimental and DFT evidence for the fractional non-innocence of a β-diketonate ligand

New compounds [Ru(pap)(2)(L)](ClO(4)), [Ru(pap)(L)(2)], and [Ru(acac)(2)(L)] (pap = 2-phenylazopyridine, L(-) = 9-oxidophenalenone, acac(-) = 2,4-pentanedionate) have been prepared and studied regarding their electron-transfer behavior, both experimentally and by using DFT calculations. [Ru(pap)(2)(L)](ClO(4)) and [Ru(acac)(2)(L)] were characterized by crystal-structure analysis. Spectroelectrochemistry (EPR, UV/Vis/NIR), in conjunction with cyclic voltammetry, showed a wide range of about 2 V for the potential of the Ru(III/II) couple, which was in agreement with the very different characteristics of the strongly π-accepting pap ligand and the σ-donating acac(-) ligand. At the rather high potential of +1.35 V versus SCE, the oxidation of L(-) into L(⋅) could be deduced from the near-IR absorption of [Ru(III)(pap)(L(⋅))(L(-))](2+). Other intense long-wavelength transitions, including LMCT (L(-) → Ru(III)) and LL/CT (pap(⋅-) → L(-)) processes, were confirmed by TD-DFT results. DFT calculations and EPR data for the paramagnetic intermediates allowed us to assess the spin densities, which revealed two cases with considerable contributions from L-radical-involving forms, that is, [Ru(III)(pap(0))(2)(L(-))](2+) ↔ [Ru(II)(pap(0))(2)(L(⋅))](2+) and [Ru(III)(pap(0))(L(-))(2)](+) ↔ [Ru(II)(pap(0))(L(⋅))(L(-))](+). Calculations of electrogenerated complex [Ru(II)(pap(⋅-))(pap(0))(L(-))] displayed considerable negative spin density (-0.188) at the bridging metal.

Redox-active bridging ligands based on indigo diimine ("Nindigo") derivatives

Reactions of indigo with a variety of substituted anilines produce the corresponding indigo diimines ("Nindigos") in good yields. Nindigo coordination complexes are subsequently prepared by reactions of the Nindigo ligands with Pd(hfac)(2). In most cases, binuclear complexes are obtained in which the deprotonated Nindigo bridges two Pd(hfac) moieties in the expected bis-bidentate binding mode. When the Nindigo possesses bulky substituents on the imine (mesityl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, etc.), mononuclear Pf(hfac) complexes are obtained in which the Nindigo core has isomerized from a trans- to a cis-alkene; in these structures, the palladium is bound to the cis-Nindigo ligand at the two indole nitrogen atoms; the remaining proton is bound between the imine nitrogen atoms. The palladium complexes possess intense electronic absorption bands [near 920 nm for the binuclear complexes and 820 nm for the mononuclear cis-Nindigo complexes; extinction coefficients are (1.0-2.0) × 10(4) M(-1) cm(-1)] that are ligand-centered (π-π*) transitions. Cyclic voltammetry investigations reveal multiple redox events that are also ligand-centered in origin. All of the palladium complexes can be reversibly oxidized in two sequential one-electron steps; the binuclear complexes are reduced in a two-electron process whose reversibility depends on the Nindigo ligand substituent; the mononuclear palladium species show two one-electron reductions, only the first of which is quasi-reversible.