Photochromic compounds are light-activated molecular switches that convert photonic energy to potential energy for specific and selective excited state bond breaking and bond making reactions. Our examination of ruthenium and osmium polypryridine complexes containing sulfoxide ligands demonstrate that S-to-O isomerization is efficient, and can occur rapidly both in the solid state and solution. Picosecond transient absorption spectroscopic data show that S-to-O isomerization time constants may be as fast as 80 ps. Recent studies of ruthenium polypyridine complexes containing chelating sulfoxides illustrate that two different colors of light may be used to trigger between the two ground states. Data will be presented demonstrating that isomerization occurs non-adiabatically through a conical intersection. In addition, pump-probe anisotropy data will also be presented. In aggregate, these data will be employed to understand the mechanism of action in these complexes.

Ultrafast spectroscopy of photochromic ruthenium and osmium sulfoxide complexes

245th National Meeting (2013)

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