Side-effect of ancillary ligand on electron transfer and photodynamics of a dinuclear valence tautomeric complex.

A cobalt complex [[Co(dpqa)]2(dhbq)](PF6)3 ((PF6)3, dhbq = deprotonated 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone, dpqa = di(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)amine) was prepared and studied by X-ray diffraction, electrochemistry, ESR, thermally and photo-induced magnetic measurements; the results show that the ancillary ligand finely tuned structural factors as well as intermolecular interactions that affect the VT behavior.