Synthesis, properties and gas phase collision-induced dissociation of the heptanuclear doubly bridged complex [Ru(bpy)2(BPE)2{Ru3O(CH3COO)6(py)2}2](PF6)4

The electronic coupling in the heptanuclear complex containing two triangular [Ru3O] clusters attached to a ruthenium polypyridine center, is strong enough to quench its luminescence and the cis-trans photoisomerization of the bridging trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (BPE) ligand.