Coordination-mode pH-activated Molecular Switches based on Ruthenium(II) Oligopyridine Complex Architecture

• A number of [Ru(tpy)L] complexes (where L is a ligand based on the 6-thien-2-yl-2,2’-bipyridine motif) have been generated to study the ability of this terdentate motif to switch between a N,N,C and a N,N,S binding mode as a function of pH and irradiation. Whilst the parent system 6-thien-2-yl-2,2’-bipyridine (1) displayed facile switching between the orange and purple forms, heavier analogues displayed sluggish switching – most likely resulting from a large moment of inertia about the bond between the S/C-bonded thiophene ring and the chelating bipyridine unit. Prototypic unsymmetrical bimetallic complexes (C7S and C7C) have been generated in order to test if the binding mode of the switching unit can affect the oxidation potential of the remote [Ru(bpy)2(L)] unit. The results of cyclic voltammetry studies suggest that only weak electronic coupling between the metal cores exists, and that the coordination mode (N,N,C or N,N,S) of the thiophene moiety only has a small effect on the oxidation potential of the [Ru(bpy)2(L)] unit.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Organisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Organic Chemistry (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Oorganisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Inorganic Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Ligand Effects

Ruthenium

Cyclic Voltammetry

Molecular Electronics

Coordination Modes

Organic synthesis

Organisk syntes

Coordination chemistry

Koordinationskemi

Biotechnology/Chemical Engineering

bioteknik/kemiteknik

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)