Reversible cyclometallation at a ruthenium(II) centre
Abstract
The metallated complex [Ru(tbp)(tpy)][PF6][Htbp = 6-(2-thienyl)-2,2′-bipyridine, tpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine] is converted to the non-metallated species [Ru(Htbp)(tpy)][PF6] containing an N,N,S-bonded Htbp ligand upon treatment with acid; this process is reversed upon reaction of [Ru(Htbp)(tpy)][PF6] with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution.