Modulation of the luminescence properties of a ruthenium–terpyridine complex by protonation of a remote site

Abstract

In a series of complexes [(ttp)Ru{tpy(C₆H₄)_ntpy}]²⁺, the Ru–tpy type chromophore and the free tpy site are separated by a variable number (n= 0–2) of phenylene spacers [tpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, ttp = 4′-(p-tolyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine]; for the complex with n= 0, modulation of the luminescence properties of the Ru-based chromophore can be performed by protonation at the free tpy site suggesting a new approach for affording long-lived excited species of the basic Ru–tpy type unit.