Expanded Ligands Based upon Iron(II) Coordination Compounds of Asymmetrical Bis(terpyridine) Domains

The synthesis and characterization of two tritopic ligands containing a 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (tpy) metal binding domain and either a 3,2':6',3″- or a 4,2':6',4″-tpy domain are detailed. The synthetic routes to these ligands involved the [Pd(dppf)Cl₂]-catalyzed coupling of a boronic ester-functionalized 2,2':6',2″-tpy with bromo-derivatives of 3,2':6',3″-tpy or 4,2':6',4″-tpy. The 2,2':6',2″-tpy domains of the tritopic ligands preferentially bind Fe²⁺ in reactions with iron(II) salts leading to the formation of two homoleptic iron(II) complexes containing two peripheral 3,2':6',3″-tpy or 4,2':6',4″-tpy metal-binding sites, respectively. These iron(II) complexes are potentially tetratopic ligands and represent expanded versions of tetra(pyridin-4-yl)pyrazine.

"Chemistry-on-the-complex": functional RuII polypyridyl-type sensitizers as divergent building blocks

Ruthenium polypyridyl type complexes are potent photoactive compounds, and have found - among others - a broad range of important applications in the fields of biomedical diagnosis and phototherapy, energy conversion schemes such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and molecular assemblies for tailored photo-initiated processes. In this regard, the linkage of RuII polypyridyl-type complexes with specific functional moieties is highly desirable to enhance their inherent photophysical properties, e.g., with a targeting function to achieve cell selectivity, or with a dye or redox-active subunits for energy- and electron-transfer. However, the classical approach of performing ligand syntheses first and the formation of Ru complexes in the last steps imposes synthetic limitations with regard to tolerating functional groups or moieties as well as requiring lengthy convergent routes. Alternatively, the diversification of Ru complexes after coordination (termed "chemistry-on-the-complex") provides an elegant complementary approach. In addition to the Click chemistry concept, the rapidly developing synthesis and purification methodologies permit the preparation of Ru conjugates via amidation, alkylation and cross-coupling reactions. In this regard, recent developments in chromatography shifted the limits of purification, e.g., by using new commercialized surface-modified silica gels and automated instrumentation. This review provides detailed insights into applying the "chemistry-on-the-complex" concept, which is believed to stimulate the modular preparation of unpreceded molecular assemblies as well as functional materials based on Ru-based building blocks, including combinatorial approaches.

Rage Against Conformity: Ruthenium(ɪɪ) Bisterpyridine Complexes Respond to Crystal Engineering Instructions with Whelming Results

Four heteroleptic ruthenium(ii) complexes of 4′-functionalised 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine are reported, along with their solid-state single-crystal X-ray structures. The complexes feature complementary hydrogen-bond donor (phenol) and acceptor (pyridyl) groups designed to assemble into one-dimensional polymers. In one example, the system obeys the programmed instructions to form a one-dimensional, self-complementary hydrogen-bonded polymer. In one other example, a water-bridged hydrogen-bonded polymer is formed. In the remaining two structures, aryl–aryl interactions dominate the intermolecular interactions, and outweigh the contribution of intermolecular hydrogen bonding.

Surface functionalization of dinuclear clathrochelates via Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions: facile synthesis of polypyridyl metalloligands

Clathrochelates can be decorated with pyridyl groups by cross-coupling reactions. They represent interesting ligands for supramolecular chemistry and materials science.

Self-assembled supramolecular cages containing ruthenium(ii) polypyridyl complexes

Substitution-inert, redox- and photo-active ruthenium(ii) complexes based on 2,2′,6′,2′′-terpyridine ligands were self-assembled into discrete supramolecular cages via coordination to palladium(ii) centres and characterised by NMR, ESI-MS and X-ray crystallography.

Linear bilateral extended 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ligands, their coordination complexes and heterometallic supramolecular networks

Combination of five- and six-membered rings allows creation of 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine derivatives mimicking the topology of 5,5′-functionalized 2,2′-bipyridine. This molecular design led to the assembly of heterometallic supramolecular networks.