Ligands capable of proton coupled electron transfer have significant implications in catalysis. If the properties of these metal complexes can be understood and controlled, this could lead to new multi-electron and multi-proton catalysts for many reactions of interest. In this work, we report on the synthesis and electronic properties of [Ru(bpy)2(phen=O)]2+and [Ru(phen)2(phen=O)]2+ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; phen=O = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). The phen=O is an electron and proton accepting ligand, where the reduction properties are dependent upon the protonation environment. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies as a function of pH are reported, demonstrating how proton environment coupled with the phen=O ligand impact these ruthenium metal complexes. Computational studies were carried out to help elucidate the nature of the electronic transitions of the complexes.

Electronic and spectroscopic properties as a function of proton environment with ruthenium complexed with 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione

ACS Spring 2022

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