Linear and macrocyclic ruthenium(II) complexes containing bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) ligands with flexible, naphthalene-centred spacers

The syntheses and characterization of six ditopic ligands which contain polyethyleneoxy-substituted naphthalene spacers connecting two 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine metal-binding domains are described. The ligands, L, have been used to prepare two series of ruthenium(II) complexes: linear complexes of type [(tpy)Ru(L)Ru(tpy)]4+ were prepared as models for polymeric species, and metallomacrocyclic species [RunLn]2n+ (n = 2 or 3). Single crystal structures of a representative ligand and macrocyclic Ru(II) complex are reported.

Graphical abstractThe syntheses and characterization of six ligands (L) with polyethyleneoxy-substituted naphthalene spacers connecting two 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine metal-binding domains are described, along with linear complexes [(tpy)Ru(L)Ru(tpy)]4+ and metallomacrocyclic species [RunLn]2n+ (n = 2 or 3).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide