Phenylene as an efficient mediator for intermetallic electronic coupling

Abstract

The new compound [(NC)Ru₂(ap)₄]₂(μ-1,4-C₆H₄) (ap = 2-anilinopyridinate) was prepared to address the open question of whether a 1,4-phenylene bridge can mediate intermetallic electronic coupling. As a manifestation of strong coupling, hole delocalization between the Ru₂ centers on the IR time scale (10⁻¹⁴ s) was established using spectroelectrochemistry. An orbital mechanism for coupling was elaborated with DFT analysis.