Photochemistry of RuII 4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl (btz) complexes: crystallographic characterization of the photoreactive ligand-loss intermediate trans-[Ru(bpy)(κ2-btz)(κ1-btz)(NCMe)]2+.

We report the unprecedented observation and unequivocal crystallographic characterization of the meta-stable ligand loss intermediate solvento complex trans-[Ru(bpy)(κ(2) -btz)(κ(1) -btz)(NCMe)](2+) (1 a) that contains a monodentate chelate ligand. This and analogous complexes can be observed during the photolysis reactions of a family of complexes of the form [Ru({NN})(btz)(2)](2+) (1 a-d: btz=1,1'-dibenzyl-4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl; {NN}=a) 2,2'-bipyridyl (bpy), b) 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (dmbpy), c) 4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bipyridyl (dmeobpy), d) 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)). In acetonitrile solutions, 1 a-d eventually convert to the bis-solvento complexes trans-[Ru({NN})(btz)(NCMe)(2)](2+) (3 a-d) along with one equivalent of free btz, in a process in which the remaining coordinated bidentate ligands undergo a new rearrangement such that they become coplanar. X-ray crystal structure of 3 a and 3 d confirmed the co-planar arrangement of the {NN} and btz ligands and the trans coordination of two solvent molecules. These conversions proceed via the observed intermediate complexes 2 a-d, which are formed quantitatively from 1 a-d in a matter of minutes and to which they slowly revert back on being left to stand in the dark over several days. The remarkably long lifetime of the intermediate complexes (>12 h at 40 °C) allowed the isolation of 2 a in the solid state, and the complex to be crystallographically characterized. Similarly to the structures adopted by complexes 3 a and d, the bpy and κ(2) -btz ligands in 2 a coordinate in a square-planar fashion with the second monodentate btz ligand coordinated trans to an acetonitrile ligand.

Photochemical ligand ejection from non-sterically promoted Ru(II)bis(diimine) 4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl complexes.

Complexes of the form [Ru(diimine)2(btz)](2+) (btz = 1,1'-dibenzyl-4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl) are observed to undergo photochemical ejection of the btz ligand in the absence of any promotion through steric congestion to generate cis-bis(solvent) complexes [Ru(diimine)2(solvent)2](2+).

Luminescent biscyclometalated arylpyridine iridium(III) complexes with 4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl ancillary ligands.

The synthesis, characterization and photophysical investigation of complexes of the form [Ir(R-ppy)2(btz)]PF6 (1 to 3) are reported (btz = 1,1'-dibenzyl-4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl, R-ppy = 4-(pyrid-2-yl)benzaldehyde (1), 2-phenylpyridine (2) and 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine (3)). Complexes 1, 2 and 3 are luminescent and exhibit structured emission bands with vibronic progressions at 532 & 568 nm (ϕ 0.28%), 476 & 508 nm (ϕ 0.82%) and 454 & 483 nm (ϕ 4.3%) respectively. The structuring of these emission bands is indicative of cyclometalated ligand centred emissive states and is further corroborated by the nearly identical emission spectra for 2 and 3 to previously reported analogous complexes with 4-(pyrid-2-yl)-1,2,3-triazole based ancillary ligands. Computational density functional theory calculations on these complexes show that the LUMOs of 2 and 3 are largely btz-centred but with some cyclometalated pyridine π* character. The LUMO of 1 on the other hand is localized primarily on the cyclometalated ligands. Spin population analysis of the lowest lying triplet excited states for these complexes indicate significant spin population over the iridium centres and the aryl and pyridyl moieties in these complexes with virtually no localization of unpaired electrons over the btz ancillary ligands. This is therefore in agreement with the assignment of the emissive state having largely cyclometalated (3)LC character and being independent of the ancillary ligand.

Synthesis, characterisation and theoretical study of ruthenium 4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl complexes: fundamental switching of the nature of S1 and T1 states from MLCT to MC.

The series of complexes [Ru(bpy)(3-n)(btz)(n)][PF(6)](2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl, btz = 1,1'-dibenzyl-4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl, 2n = 1, 3n = 2, 4n = 3) have been prepared and characterised, and the photophysical and electronic effects imparted by the btz ligand were investigated. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibit MLCT absorption bands at 425 and 446 nm respectively showing a progressive blue-shift in the absorption on increasing the btz ligand content when compared to [Ru(bpy)(3)][Cl](2) (1). Complex 4 exhibits a heavily blue-shifted absorption spectrum with respect to those of 1-3, indicating that the LUMO of the latter are bpy-centred with little or no btz contribution whereas that of 4 is necessarily btz-centred. DFT calculations on analogous complexes 1'-4' (in which the benzyl substituents are replaced by methyl) show that the HOMO-LUMO gap increases by 0.3 eV from 1'-3' through destabilisation of the LUMO with respect to the HOMO. The HOMO-LUMO gap of 4' increases by 0.98 eV compared to that of 3' due to significant destabilisation of the LUMO. Examination of TDDFT data show that the S(1) states of 1'-3' are (1)MLCT in character whereas that of 4' is (1)MC. The optimisation of the T(1) state of 4' leads to the elongation of two mutually trans Ru-N bonds to yield [Ru(κ(2)-btz)(κ(1)-btz)(2)](2+), confirming the (3)MC character. Thus, replacement of bpy by btz leads to a fundamental change in the ordering of excited states such that the nature of the lowest energy excited state changes from MLCT in nature to MC.

Insights into the intramolecular acetate-mediated formation of ruthenium vinylidene complexes: a ligand-assisted proton shuttle (LAPS) mechanism.

The ruthenium bis-acetate complex Ru(κ(2)-OAc)(2)(PPh(3))(2) reacts with HC≡CPh to afford the vinylidene-containing species Ru(κ(1)-OAc)(κ(2)-OAc)(=C=CHPh)(PPh(3))(2). An experimental study has demonstrated that this reaction occurs under very mild conditions, with significant conversion being observed at 255 K. At lower temperatures, evidence for a transient metallo-enol ester species Ru(κ(1)-OAc)(OC{Me}O-C=CHPh)(PPh(3))(2) was obtained. A comprehensive theoretical study to probe the nature of the alkyne/vinylidene tautomerisation has been undertaken using Density Functional Theory. Calculations based on a number of isomers of the model system Ru(κ(1)-OAc)(κ(2)-OAc)(=C=CHMe)(PH(3))(2) demonstrate that both the η(2)(CC) alkyne complex Ru(κ(1)-OAc)(κ(2)-OAc)(η(2)-HC≡CMe)(PH(3))(2) and the C-H agostic σ-complex Ru(κ(1)-OAc)(κ(2)-OAc)(η(2){CH}-HC≡CMe)(PH(3))(2) are minima on the potential energy surface. The lowest energy pathway for the formation of the vinylidene complex involves the intramolecular deprotonation of the σ-complex by an acetate ligand followed by reprotonation of the subsequently formed alkynyl ligand. This process is thus termed a Ligand-Assisted Proton Shuttle (LAPS). Calculations performed on the full experimental system Ru(κ(1)-OAc)(κ(2)-OAc)(=C=CHPh)(PPh(3))(2) reinforce the notion that lowest energy pathway involves the deprotonation/reprotonation of the alkyne by an acetate ligand. Inclusion of the full ligand substituents in the calculations are necessary to reproduce the experimental observation of Ru(κ(1)-OAc)(κ(2)-OAc)(=C=CHPh)(PPh(3))(2) as the thermodynamic product.