Ligand reactivity in polypyridine complexes; the deuteriation of the bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)ruthenium(II) cation

Abstract

The complex [Ru(terpy)₂][PF₆]₂(terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) undergoes a specific deuterium-exchange reaction involving H^{3,3′,5′,3″} upon treatment with NaOCD3 in CD₃SOCD₃–CD₃OD, analogous to that observed with [Ru(bipy)₃][PF₆]₂(bipy = 2,2′- bipyridine). The exchange of H^3′,5′ is most rapid, an observation which enables cyclometallation pathways to be eliminated.