Ru(II) and Ru(III) complexes with cyclam and related species

The properties of cyclam, cyclen, and 1-(3-propylammonium) complexes of ruthenium(II/III), [Ru(macrocycle)LL′]n+, and related species are reviewed. L and L′ are ligands such as chloro, aqua, hydroxo, nitriles, amides, imides, pyridines, and nitric oxide. These complexes display similarities and differences with related complexes such as Ru(III/II) ammines, with which they are compared and discussed. The factors responsible for the reactivity of the macrocyclic complexes include the macrocycle ring size, the metal oxidation state, and the properties of L and L′. Such factors are illustrated with relevant data and recent results concerning the synthesis, structure, electrochemistry, complex reactivity, coordinated ligand reactivity, photochemistry, and electronic, infrared, and NMR spectral data for [Ru(macrocycle)LL′]n+.