Development of a ruthenium multi-pyridine complex as photosensitizer for highly efficient light driven water oxidation

A novel [Ru(bpy)2(tpphz)](PF6)2 complex (PS1) was synthesized and displayed a higher photoactivity than [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 and [Ru(bpy)2(dcb)](PF6)2 for water oxidation with Ru(bda)(isoq)2 as catalyst. The main reason for the attractive photocatalytic activity should be that the π-π stacking supramolecular interaction between the π-tpphz ligand of the PS1 and the π-isoq ligand of the catalyst increased the intermolecular interaction between PS1 and catalyst, and promoted the molecular aggregation and accelerated valid electronic transmission.159