An improved synthesis of 4-cyano-1,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-dicyano-1,10-phenanthroline and their bis(4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes

Palladium catalyzed cyanation reactions were used to synthesize two substituted phenanthroline ligands and their corresponding new ruthenium complexes. All compounds were fully characterized including single crystal X-ray analysis of the ruthenium complexes.