Synthesis and characterisation of ruthenium(ii) complexes containing ferrocenyl-derived ligands

Abstract

Ruthenium(II) complexes containing the macrocycle [14]aneS4 and pyridyl ligands with an end-capping ferrocene were prepared using [Ru([14]aneS4)(DMSO)Cl]Cl as the starting material. Substitution of the DMSO ligand by 4-ferrocenylpyridine (4-FP), ferrocenyl-4-pyridylacetylene (FPA) and pyridine (py) gave the complexes [Ru([14]aneS4)(L)Cl]Cl (L = 4-FP, FPA, py). The acetonitrile complex [Ru([14]aneS4)(NCMe)2](BF4)2 was also prepared starting from [Ru([14]aneS4)(DMSO)Cl]Cl. UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry indicate low electronic communication between the metal centres in the heterobimetallic complexes. The crystal structure of [Ru([14]aneS4)(4-FP)Cl]Cl was determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: C25.780H37.134Cl2FeNO1.288S4Ru, M = 737.82, monoclinic, space group P2/n, a = 13.192(1), b = 7.6662(6), c = 28.549(2) Å, β = 100.341(2)°, V = 2840.4(4) Å3, Z = 4.