Synthesis, crystal structure and reactivity of copper(II) complexes of tetradentate N2S2 donor ligands

Two new hexa-coordinated mononuclear copper(II) complexes of two ligands L-1 and L-2 containing NSSN donor sets formulated as [Cu(L)(H2O)(2)](NO3)(2) [1a, L = 1,2-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)ethane (L-1), 1b L = 1,3-bis(2-pyridyl-methylthio)propane (L-2)] were synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. In 1a the single crystal X-ray crystallography analysis showed a distorted octahedral geometry about copper(II) ion. The crystal packing evidences pairs of complexes arranged about a center of symmetry and connected through a H-bond occurring between aquo ligands and nitrate anions. On reaction with chloride and pseudohalides (N-3(-) and SCN-), in acetonitrile at ambient temperature. complexes 1 changed to monocationic penta-coordinated mononuclear copper(H) species formulated as [Cu(L)(Cl)]NO3 (2), [Cu(L)(N-3)]NO3 (3). and [Cu(L)(SCN)]NO3 (4). These copper(II) complexes have been isolated in pure form from the reaction mixtures and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic tools. The solid-state structure of 2a, established by X-ray crystallography, shows a trigonal bipyramidal geometry about the metal ion with a trigonality index (tau) of 0.561. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mixed ligand binuclear copper(I) complexes containing (Cu2N8)-N-I chromophores. Observation of emissions from MLCT excited states involving two different ligands

Using the 1:2 condensate (L) of diethylenetriamine and benzaldehyde as the main ligand, binuclear copper(l) complexes [Cu2L2(4,4'-bipyridine)](CIO4)(2).0.5H(2)O (1a) and [Cu2L2(1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane)](CIO4)(2) (1b) are synthesised. The two metal ions in la are bridged by 4,4'-bipyridine and those in 1b by 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, From the X-ray crystal structure of la, each metal ion is found to be bound to three N atoms of L and one of the two N atoms of the bridging ligand in a distorted tetrahedral fashion. The Cu(I)-N bond lengths in la lie in the range of 1.998(5)-2.229(6) Angstrom. Electrochemical studies in dichloromethane (DCM) show that the (Cu2N8)-N-I moieties in la and 1b are composed of two essentially non-interacting (CuN4)-N-I cores with Cu-II/I potential of 0.44 V vs. SCE. While la displays metal induced quenching of the inherent emission of 4,4'-bipyridine in DCM solution, 1b exhibits two weak emission bands in DCM solution at 425 and 477 nm (total quantum yield = 3.59 x 10(-5)) originating from MLCT excited states. With the help of Extended Huckel calculations it is established that the higher energy emission in 1b is from Cu(I) --> bridging-ligand charge transfer excited state and the lower energy one in 1b from Cu(I) --> L charge transfer excited state.

Redox chemistry and electronic properties of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine-bridged diruthenium complexes controlled by N,C,N '-biscyclometalated ligands

To investigate the consequences of cyclometalation for electronic communication in dinuclear ruthenium complexes, a series of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (tppz) bridged diruthenium complexes was prepared and studied. These complexes have a central tppz ligand bridging via nitrogen-to-ruthenium coordination bonds, while each ruthenium atom also binds either a monoanionic, N,C,N'-terdentate 2,6-bis(2'-pyridyl)phenyl (R-N boolean AND C boolean AND N) ligand or a 2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridine (tpy) ligand. The N,C,N'-, that is, biscyclometalation, instead of the latter N,N', N ''-bonding motif significantly changes the electronic properties of the resulting complexes. Starting from well-known [{Ru(tpy)}(2)(mu-tppz)](4+) (tpy = 2,2':2 '',6-terpyridine) ([3](4+)) as a model compound, the complexes [{Ru(R-N boolean AND C boolean AND N)}(mu-tppz){Ru(tpy)}](3+) (R-N boolean AND C(H)boolean AND N = 4-R-1,3-dipyridylbenzene, R = H ([4a](3+)), CO2Me ([4b](3+))), and [{Ru(R-N boolean AND C boolean AND N)}(2)(mu-tppz)](2+), (R = H ([5a](2+)), CO2Me ([5b](2+))) were prepared with one or two N,C,N'-cyclometalated terminal ligands. The oxidation and reduction potentials of cyclometalated [4](3+) and [5](2+) are shifted negatively compared to non-cyclometalated [3](4+), the oxidation processes being affected more significantly. Compared to [3](4+), the electronic spectra of [5](2+) display large bathochromic shifts of the main MLCT transitions in the visible spectral region with low-energy absorptions tailing down to the NIR region. One-electron oxidation of [3](4+) and [5](2+) gives rise to low-energy absorption bands. The comproportionation constants and NIR band shape correspond to delocalized Robin-Day class III compounds. Complexes [4a](3+) (R = H) and [4b](3+) (R = CO2Me) also exhibit strong electronic communication, and notwithstanding the large redox-asymmetry the visible metal-to-ligand charge-transfer absorption is assigned to originate from both metal centers. The potential of the first, ruthenium-based, reversible oxidation process is strongly negatively shifted. On the contrary, the second oxidation is irreversible and cyclometalated ligand-based. Upon one-electron oxidation, a weak and low-energy absorption arises.

Cyclam derivatives containing three acetate pendant arms: synthesis, acid-base, metal complexation and structural studies

The ligands 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,4,8-triacetic-11-methylphosphonic acid (H(5)te3a1p) and 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,4,8-triacetic acid (H(3)te3a) were synthesized, the former one for the first time. The syntheses of these ligands were achieved from reactions on 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,4,8-tris( carbamoylmethyl) hydroiodide (te3am center dot HI), and compounds (Hte3am)(+), 1, and (H(7)te3a1p)(2+), 4, were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Structures of two other compounds resulting from side-reactions, (H(2)te2lac)(2+), 2, and (H(4)te2a2p(OEt2))(2+), 3, were also determined by X-ray diffraction. Potentiometric titrations of H(5)te3a1p and H(3)te3a were performed at 298.2 K and ionic strength 0.10 mol dm(-3) in NMe4NO3 to determine their protonation constants. H-1 and P-31 NMR titrations of H(5)te3a1p were carried out in order to determine the very high first protonation constant of this ligand and to elucidate the sequence of protonation. Potentiometric studies of the two ligands with Ca2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ metal ions performed in the same experimental conditions showed that the complexes of H5te3a1p present very high thermodynamic stability while complexes of H(3)te3a, particularly Co2+ and Zn2+, are even more stable. P-31 NMR spectra of the cadmium(II) complex of H(5)te3a1p showed that the phosphonate moiety was coordinated to the metal ion. The UV-vis-NIR spectroscopic data and magnetic moment values of Co2+ and Ni2+ complexes of H(5)te3a1p and H(3)te3a together with the EPR of the corresponding Cu2+ complexes indicated that all these complexes adopt distorted octahedral coordination geometries in solution. This was confirmed by the single crystal structure of [Cu-2(Hte3a)(H2O)(3)Cl]Cl-0.5(ClO4)(0.5) center dot 2H(2)O that showed two distorted octahedral copper centres bridged by a N-acetate pendant arm with a Cu center dot center dot center dot Cu distance of 4.890(1) angstrom. The first one is encapsulated into the macrocyclic cavity surrounded by four nitrogen and two oxygen donors from the macrocycle, whereas the second one is on the periphery of the macrocycle and is coordinated to two oxygen atoms of one acetate pendant arm in chelating fashion, one chloride and three water molecules.

Electronic transitions and bonding properties in a series of five-coordinate “16-electron” complexes [Mn(CO)3(L2)]− (L2=chelating redox-active π-donor ligand)

In this article we present for the first time accurate density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent (TD) DFT data for a series of electronically unsaturated five-coordinate complexes [Mn(CO)(3)(L-2)](-), where L-2 stands for a chelating strong pi-donor ligand represented by catecholate, dithiolate, amidothiolate, reduced alpha-diimine (1,4-dialkyl-1,4-diazabutadiene (R-DAB), 2,2'-bipyridine) and reduced 2,2'-biphosphinine types. The single-crystal X-ray structure of the unusual compound [Na(BPY)][Mn(CO)(3)(BPY)]center dot Et2O and the electronic absorption spectrum of the anion [Mn(CO)(3)(BPY)](-) are new in the literature. The nature of the bidentate ligand determines the bonding in the complexes, which varies between two limiting forms: from completely pi-delocalized diamagnetic {(CO)(3)Mn-L-2}(-) for L-2 = alpha-diimine or biphosphinine, to largely valence-trapped {(CO)(3)Mn-1-L-2(2-)}(-) for L-2(2-) = catecholate, where the formal oxidation states of Mn and L-2 can be assigned. The variable degree of the pi-delocalization in the Mn(L-2) chelate ring is indicated by experimental resonance Raman spectra of [Mn(CO)(3)(L-2)](-) (L-2=3,5-di-tBu-catecholate and iPr-DAB), where accurate assignments of the diagnostically important Raman bands have been aided by vibrational analysis. The L-2 = catecholate type of complexes is known to react with Lewis bases (CO substitution, formation of six-coordinate adducts) while the strongly pi-delocalized complexes are inert. The five-coordinate complexes adopt usually a distorted square pyramidal geometry in the solid state, even though transitions to a trigonal bipyramid are also not rare. The experimental structural data and the corresponding DFT-computed values of bond lengths and angles are in a very good agreement. TD-DFT calculations of electronic absorption spectra of the studied Mn complexes and the strongly pi-delocalized reference compound [Fe(CO)(3)(Me-DAB)] have reproduced qualitatively well the experimental spectra. Analyses of the computed electronic transitions in the visible spectroscopic region show that the lowest-energy absorption band always contains a dominant (in some cases almost exclusive) contribution from a pi(HOMO) -> pi*(LUMO) transition within the MnL2 metallacycle. The character of this optical excitation depends strongly on the composition of the frontier orbitals, varying from a partial L-2 -> Mn charge transfer (LMCT) through a fully delocalized pi(MnL2) -> pi*(MnL2) situation to a mixed (CO)Mn -> L-2 charge transfer (LLCT/MLCT). The latter character is most apparent in the case of the reference complex [Fe(CO)(3)(Me-DAB)]. The higher-lying, usually strongly mixed electronic transitions in the visible absorption region originate in the three lower-lying occupied orbitals, HOMO - 1 to HOMO - 3, with significant metal-d contributions. Assignment of these optical excitations to electronic transitions of a specific type is difficult. A partial LLCT/MLCT character is encountered most frequently. The electronic absorption spectra become more complex when the chelating ligand L-2, such as 2,2'-bipyridine, features two or more closely spaced low-lying empty pi* orbitals.

Mono- and heterodimetallic FeII and RuII complexes based on a novel heteroditopic 4′-{bis(phosphanyl)aryl}-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine ligand

In the search for a versatile building block that allows the preparation of heteroditopic tpy-pincer bridging ligands, the synthon 14'-[C6H3(CH2Br)(2)-3,5]-2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridine was synthesized. Facile introduction of diphenylphosphanyl groups in this synthon gave the ligand 14'-[C6H3(CH2PPh2)2-3,5]-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) ([tpyPC(H)Pj). The asymmetric mononuclear complex [Fe(tpy){tpyPC(H)P}](PF6)(2), prepared by selective coordination of [Fe(tpy)Cl-3] to the tpy moiety of [tpyPC(H)P], was used for the synthesis of the heterodimetallic complex [Fe(tpy)(tpyPCP)Ru(tpy)](PFC,)3, which applies the "complex as ligand" approach. Coordination of the ruthenium centre at the PC(H)P-pincer moiety of [Fe(tpy){tpyPC(H)P}](PF6)(2) has been achieved by applying a transcyclometallation procedure. The ground-state electronic properties of both complexes, investigated by cyclic and square-wave voltammetries and UV/Vis spectroscopy, are discussed and compared with those of [Fe(tPY)(2)](PF6)(2) and [Ru(PCP)(tpy)]Cl, which represent the mononuclear components of the heterodinuclear species. An in situ UV/Vis spectroelectrochemical study was performed in order to localize the oxidation and reduction steps and to gain information about the Fe-II-Ru-II communication in the heterodimetallic system [Fe(tpy)(tpyPCP)Ru(tpy)](PF6)(3) mediated by the bridging ligand [tpyPCP]. Both the voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical results point to only very limited electronic interaction between the metal centres in the ground state.

Spectroscopic properties and electronic structures of 17-electron half-sandwich ruthenium acetylide complexes, [Ru(CCAr)(L2)Cp′]+ (Ar=phenyl, p-tolyl, 1-naphthyl, 9-anthryl; L2=(PPh3)2, Cp′=Cp; L2=dppe; Cp′=Cp∗)

A series of half-sandwich bis(phosphine) ruthenium acetylide complexes [Ru(C CAr)(L-2)Cp'] (Ar = phenyl, p-tolyl, 1-naphthyl, 9-anthryl; L2 = (PPh3)(2), Cp' = Cp; L-2 = dppe; Cp' = Cp*) have been examined using electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods. One-electron oxidation of these complexes gave the corresponding radical cations [Ru(C CAr)(L2)Cp'](+). Those cations based on Ru(dppe)Cp*, or which feature a para-tolyl acetylide substituent, are more chemically robust than examples featuring the Ru(PPh3)(2)Cp moiety, permitting good quality UV-Vis-NIR and IR spectroscopic data to be obtained using spectroelectrochemical methods. On the basis of TD DFT calculations, the low energy (NIR) absorption bands in the experimental electronic spectra for most of these radical cations are assigned to transitions between the beta-HOSO and beta-LUSO, both of which have appreciable metal d and ethynyl pi character. However, the large contribution from the anthryl moiety to the frontier orbitals of [Ru(C CC14H9)(L2)CP'](+) suggests compounds containing this moiety should be described as metal-stabilised anthryl radical cations.

Diorganoruthenium complexes incorporating noninnocent [C6H2(CH2ER2)2-3,5]22-(E = N, P) Bis-Pincer bridging ligands: synthesis, spectroelectrochemistry, and DFT studies

The dinuclear complex [(tpy)Ru-II(PCP-PCP)Ru-II(tPY)]Cl-2 (bridging PCP-PCP = 3,3',5,5'-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)biphenyl, [C6H2(CH2PPh2)(2)-3,5](2)(2-)) was prepared via a transcyclometalation reaction of the bis-pincer ligand [PC(H)P-PC(H)P] and the Ru(II) precursor [Ru(NCN)(tpy)]Cl (NCN = [C6H3(CH2NMe2)(2)-2,6](-)) followed by a reaction with 2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridine (tpy). Electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of [(tpy)Ru-II(PCP-PCP)Ru-II(tPY)]Cl-2 are compared with those of the closely related [(tpy)Ru-II(NCN-NCN)Ru-II(tpy)](PF6)(2) (NCN-NCN = [C6H2(CH2- NMe2)(2)-3,5](2)(2-)) obtained by two-electron reduction of [(tpy)Ru-III(NCN-NCN)Ru-III(tpy)](PF6)(4). The molecular structure of the latter complex has been determined by single-crystal X-ray structure determination. One-electron reduction of [(tpy)Ru-III(NCN-NCN)Ru-III(tpy)](PF6)(4) and one-electron oxidation of [(tpy)Ru-II(PCP-PCP)RUII(tpy)]Cl-2 yielded the mixed-valence species [(tpy)Ru-III(NCN-NCN)RUII(tpy)](3+) and [(tpy)Ru-III(PCP-PCP)RUII(tpy)](3+), respectively. The comproportionation equilibrium constants K-c (900 and 748 for [(tpy)Ru-III(NCN-NCN)Ru-III(tpy)](4+) and [(tpy)Ru-II(PCP-PCP)RUII(tpy)](2+), respectively) determined from cyclic voltammetric data reveal comparable stability of the [Ru-III-Ru-II] state of both complexes. Spectroelectrochemical measurements and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy were employed to further characterize the different redox states with special focus on the mixed-valence species and their NIR bands. Analysis of these bands in the framework of Hush theory indicates that the mixed-valence complexes [(tpy)Ru-III(PCP-PCP)RUII(tpy)](3+) and [(tpy)Ru-III(NCN-NCN)RUII(tpy)](3+) belong to strongly coupled borderline Class II/Class III and intrinsically coupled Class III systems, respectively. Preliminary DFT calculations suggest that extensive delocalization of the spin density over the metal centers and the bridging ligand exists. TD-DFT calculations then suggested a substantial MLCT character of the NIR electronic transitions. The results obtained in this study point to a decreased metal-metal electronic interaction accommodated by the double-cyclometalated bis-pincer bridge when strong sigma-donor NMe2 groups are replaced by weak sigma-donor, pi-acceptor PPh2 groups

The synthesis, structure, reactivity and electrochemical properties of ruthenium complexes featuring cyanoacetylide ligands

The complex [Ru(C&3bond; CC&3bond; N)(dppe)Cp*] (1) is readily obtained (ca. 70%) from the sequential reaction of [Ru(C=CH2)(dppe)Cp*]PF6 with (BuLi)-Bu-n and phenyl cyanate. The complex behaves as a typical transition metal acetylide upon reaction with tetracyanoethene, affording a metallated pentacyanobutadiene. Complex I is a useful metalloligand, and its reactions with [W(thf)(CO)5], [RuCl(PPh3)(2)Cp], [RuCl(dppe)Cp*] or cis-[RuCl2(dppe)(2)] all afforded products featuring the M-C&3bond; CC&3bond; N-M' motif, for which ground state structures indicate a degree of polarisation. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies reveal moderate interactions between the metal centres in the 35-electron dications [{Cp*(dppe)Ru}(mu-C&3bond; CC&3bond; N){RuL2Cp'}](2+) Ru(PPh3)(2)CP, Ru(dppe)Cp*).

Synthesis, photophysical, photochemical, and redox properties of nitrospiropyrans substituted with Ru or Os tris(bipyridine) complexes

Photochromic nitrospiropyrans substituted with 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+), and [Os(bpy)(3)](2+) groups were synthesized, and their photophysical, photochemical, and redox properties investigated. Substitution of the spiropyran with the metal complex moiety results in strongly decreased efficiency of the ring-opening process as a result of energy transfer from the excited spiropyran to the metal center. The lowest excited triplet state of the spiropyran in its open merocyanine form is lower in energy than the excited triplet MLCT level of the [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) moiety but higher in energy than for [Os(bpy)(3)](2+), resulting in energy transfer from the excited ruthenium center to the spiropyran but inversely in the osmium case. The open merocyanine form reduces and oxidizes electrochemically more easily than the closed nitrospiropyran. Like photoexcitation, electrochemical activation also causes opening of the spiropyran ring by first reducing the closed form and subsequently reoxidizing the corresponding radical anion in two well-resolved anodic steps. Interestingly, the substitution of the spiropyran with a Ru or Os metal center does not affect the efficiency of this electrochemically induced ring-opening process, different from the photochemical path.

Electrochemical studies of bi- and polymetallic complexes featuring acetylide based bridging ligands

Acetylide-based bridging ligands have been widely used in the preparation of complexes that display a degree of electronic interaction between metal-based redox groups located at the ligand termini. The electrochemical response of these systems has been selectively reviewed, with a focus on the variation in properties that accompany changes in the structure of the bridging ligand and the nature of the metal groups.

Strongly nucleophilic RhI centre in square-planar complexes with terdentate (κ3) 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ligands: crystallographic, electrochemical and density functional theoretical studies

Rh-I-terpyridine complexes have been unambiguously formed for the first time. The 2,21:6',2"-terpyridine (tpy), 4'-chloro-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine (4'-Cl-tpy) and 4'-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl-ortho-carboranyl)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine (carboranyl-tpy) ligands were used for successful syntheses and characterisation of the corresponding Rh-I complexes with halide coligands, [Rh(X)(4'-Y-terpyridine)] (X = Cl, Y = H, Cl, carboranyl; X = Br, Y = H). All four neutral Rh-tpy complexes are square planar, with Rh-X bonds in the plane of the 4'-Y-terpyridine ligands. Full characterisation of these dark blue, highly air-sensitive compounds was hampered by their poor solubility in various organic solvents. This is mainly due to the formation of pi-stacked aggregates, as evidenced by the crystal structure of [Rh(Cl)(tpy)]; in addition, [Rh(Cl)(carboranyl-tpy)] merely forms discrete dimers. The (bonding) properties of the novel Rh-I-terpyridine complexes have been studied with single-crystal X-ray diffraction, (time-dependent) density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations, far-infrared spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. From DFT calculations, the HOMO of the studied Rh-I-terpyridine complexes involves predominantly the metal centre, while the LUMO resides on the terpyridine ligand. Absorption bands of the studied complexes in the visible region (400-900 nm) can be assigned to MLCT and MLCT/XLCT transitions. The relatively low oxidation potentials of [Rh(X)(tpy)] (X = Cl, Br) point to a high electron density on the metal centre. This makes the Rh-I-terpyridine complexes strongly nucleophilic and (potentially) highly reactive towards various (small) substrate molecules containing carbon-halide bonds.

Photochromic dithienylethene derivatives containing Ru(II) or Os(II) metal units. Sensitized photocyclization from a triplet state

Efficient photocyclization from a low-lying triplet state is reported for a photochromic dithienylperfluorocyclopentene with Ru(bpy)(3) units attached via a phenylene linker to the thiophene rings. The ring-closure reaction in the nanosecond domain is sensitized by the metal complexes. Upon photoexcitation into the lowest Ru-to-bpy (MLCT)-M-1 state followed by intersystem crossing to emitting (MLCT)-M-3 states, photoreactive (IL)-I-3 states are populated by an efficient energy-transfer process. The involvement of these (IL)-I-3 states explains the quantum yield of the photocyclization, which is independent of the excitation wavelength but decreases strongly in the presence of dioxygen. This behavior differs substantially from the photocyclization of the nonemissive dithienylperfluorocyclopentene free ligand, which occurs from the lowest (IL)-I-1 state on a picosecond time scale and is insensitive to oxygen quenching. Cyclic voltammetric studies have also been performed to gain further insight into the energetics of the system. The very high photocyclization quantum yields, far above 0.5 in both cases, are ascribed to the strong steric repulsion between the bulky substituents on the dithienylperfluorocyclopentene bridge bearing the chelating bipyridine sites or the Ru(bpy)(3) moieties, forcing the system to adopt nearly exclusively the reactive antiparallel conformation. In contrast, replacement of both Ru(II) centers by Os(II) completely prevents the photocyclization reaction upon light excitation into the low-lying Os-to-bpy (MLCT)-M-1 state. The photoreaction can only be triggered by optical population of the higher lying (IL)-I-1 excited state of the central photochromic unit, but its yield is low due to efficient energy transfer to the luminescent lowest (MLCT)-M-3 state.

Multimetallic ruthenium(II) complexes as electrochemiluminescent labels

Two homometallic complexes containing two and three ruthenium polypyridyl units linked by amino acid lysine (Lys) and the related dipeptide (LysLys) were synthesized and their electrochemical, spectroscopic, and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties were investigated. The electrochemical and photophysical data indicate that the two metal complexes largely retain the electronic properties of the reference compound for the separate ruthenium moieties in the two bridged complexes, [4-carboxypropyl-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine]bis(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complex. The ECL studies, performed in aqueous media in the presence of tri-n-propylamine as co-reactant, show that the ECL intensity increases by 30% for the dinuclear and trinuclear complexes compared to the reference. Heterogeneous ECL immunoassay studies, performed on larger dendritic complexes containing up to eight ruthenium units, demonstrate that limitations due to the slow diffusion can easily be overcome by means of nanoparticle technology. In this case, the ECL signal is proportional to the number of ruthenium units. Multimetallic systems with several ruthenium centers may, however, undergo nonspecific bonding,to streptavidin-coated particles or to antibodies, thereby increasing the background ECL intensity and lowering the sensitivity of the immunoassay.

Homoleptic Diphosphacyclobutadiene Complexes [M(η4-P2C2R2)2]x− (M=Fe, Co; x=0, 1)

The preparation and comprehensive characterization of a series of homoleptic sandwich complexes containing diphosphacyclobutadiene ligands are reported. Compounds [K([18]crown-6)(thf)2][Fe(hapto4-P2C2tBu2)2] (K1), [K([18]crown-6)(thf)2][C(h4-P2C2tBu2)2] (K2), and [K([18]crown-6)(thf)2][Co(hapto4-P2C2Ad2)2] (K3, Ad=adamantyl) were obtained from reactions of [K([18crown-6)(thf)2][M(hapto4-C14H10)2] (M=Fe, Co) with tBuCP (1, 2), or with AdCP (3). Neutral sandwiches [M(hapto4-P2C2tBu2)2] (4: M=Fe 5: M=Co) were obtained by oxidizing 1 and 2 with [Cp2Fe]PF6. Cyclic voltammetry and spectro-electrochemistry indicate that the two [M(hapto4-P2C2tBu2)2]-/[M(hapto4-P2C2tBu2)2] moieties can be reversibly interconverted by one electron oxidation and reduction, respectively. Complexes 1–5 were characterized by multinuclear NMR, EPR (1 and 5), UV/Vis,and Moessbauer spectroscopies (1 and 4), mass spectrometry (4 and 5), and microanalysis (1–3). The molecular structures of 1–5 were determined by using X-ray crystallography. Essentially D2d-symmetric structures were found for all five complexes, which show the two 1,3-diphosphacyclobutadiene rings in a staggered orientation. Density functional theory calculations revealed the importance of covalent metal–ligand pi bonding in 1–5. Possible oxidation state assignments for the metal ions are discussed.