Dalton communications. Structural and spectroscopic properties of [{Ru(bipy)2}2(µ-OR)2]2+(R = Me or Et, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine), a new class of strongly interacting bridged binuclear ruthenium complexes

Abstract

The new alkoxide-bridged binuclear ruthenium(II) complexes [{Ru(bipy)₂}₂(µ-OR)₂][PF₆]₂(R = Me 1 or Et 2, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been prepared and characterised, and the crystal structure of 2·Et₂O·MeCN determined; both undergo two one-electron oxidations to the Ru^IIRu^III and Ru^IIIRu^III states with substantial separations (0.55 and 0.57 V) between the successive redox potentials, allowing preparation of stable mixed-valence species which have a strong intervalence charge-transfer band in the electronic spectrum.