A solvatochromic compound is a chemical compound that changes its color based on solvent polarity. We found that the [Mo(bpy)Cl4]- anion is highly solvatochromic over a wide range of solvents. From water to acetone, the absorbance maximum shifts over 100 nm with a corresponding color change of yellow to blue, respectively. To expand upon this, we investigated other ligand architectures that might show similar solvatochromic behavior. Specifically, we examined 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and the mono- and bimetallic 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (bppz). Monometallic complexes with this ligand showed only slight changes in solvatochromism range, while bimetallic complexes of bppz showed markedly different characteristics. In the case of [Mo2(bppz)Cl8]2-, the absorbance red-shifted ~50 nm, producing a range of green colors. In addition, this compound clearly showed four distinct redox couples, compared to the monometallic compounds with only two redox couples. The [Mo(bpy)Cl4]- anion was computationally investigated to better understand the nature of this interesting property.

Experimental and computational investigation of the solvatochromism of [Mo(diimine)Cl4]- compounds

2019 Spring National Meeting

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