Anthracene-bridged binuclear ruthenium complexes: electrochemical and spectroscopic evidence of electronic communication through the pi system.

Six dinuclear cyclometalated ruthenium complexes, 1-6, based on diphenylanthracene (DPA) and anthracene (AN) as bridging ligands have been synthesized and fully characterized electrochemically and spectroscopically. The anodic electrochemistry of the homobinuclear ruthenium complexes, 1-6, has been examined in three different nonaqueous solvents (ACN, DMF, and CH(2)Cl(2)). The ability of the anthracene derivatives to transmit electronic effects between the two redox units has been demonstrated by the observed splitting of the voltammetric signals ascribed to the metal centers. The electronic communication has also been evidenced by the presence of intervalence charge transfer transition bands in the near-infrared region of the spectrum due to an intramolecular electron transfer process mediated by the bridge when the mixed valence species (Ru(II)/Ru(III)) are electrochemically generated. Cyclic voltammetric measurements have been carried out under different conditions of solvent and supporting electrolyte. Differences in DeltaE degrees', the potential separation of the formal potentials of the metal-based anodic processes, have been observed and found to depend on the medium employed. These differences have been ascribed to different degrees of ion pairing. Such effects can be, in turn, modulated as a function of not only the polarity and donor strength of the solvent but also of the coordinating capacity of the anion employed as a supporting electrolyte.