Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes have been widely studied for their excited state properties leading to their potential for photocatalysis.  We report upon the synthesis and electronic properties of ruthenium complexed with the 2,6-bis-(2-pyridyl)-4(1H)-pyridone (tpy=O) ligand.  Upon complexation with the metal, the ligand tautomerizes to the hydroxyl form (tpyOH).  The hydroxylated complexes have been studied for the effects of protonation state on the absorption manifold.  For example, the mixed-ligand complex, [Ru(tpy)(tpyOH)]2+ (tpy = 2,2':6',2�-terpyridine) has a ?max = 480 nm in acidic water.  Upon deprotonation, the absorption shifts to lower energy yielding a ?max = 498 nm.  A similar observation is found with the [Ru(tpyOH)2]2+ complex that has a ?max = 485 nm in water when protonated that shifts to ?max = 500 nm when completely deprotonated.  In addition, titration and electrochemical data of the tpyOH containing complexes will be reported.

Influence of protonation state on the electronic properties of ruthenium complexes containing hydroxyl-substituted terpyridine ligands

241st National Meeting (2011)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.