Ru(II)-bipyridine complexes in supramolecular systems, devices and machines

Because of a unique combination of chemical stability, redox properties, excited-state reactivity, and excited-state lifetime, [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and related complexes have long been used to obtain photoinduced intermolecular energy and electron-transfer processes. More recently these compounds have been employed as components to build up supramolecular species that exhibit peculiar photochemical and/or electrochemical properties. When suitably designed, such supramolecular species can behave as light-powered nanoscale electronic devices (e.g. wires, switches, antennas) or mechanical machines (e.g. shuttles). This paper reviews the results obtained in our research group on supramolecular species, devices and machines that exploit the properties of Ru(II) bipyridine complexes.