Ru-TAP complexes with btz and pytz ligands: novel candidates as photooxidizing agents.

Two ligands containing 1,2,3-triazole moieties 1 and 3 were easily prepared by a Cu(I)-catalysed "click reaction" between commercially available (trimethylsilyl)alkynes and benzyl azide. These ligands were used in the synthesis of Ru(II) complexes with TAP ligands, i.e. [Ru(TAP)(2)btz](2+)2 and [Ru(TAP)(2)pytz](2+)4. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of these complexes were investigated. The data show that both complexes should behave as highly oxidizing agents under illumination. However, complex 4 displays more attractive photophysical properties than complex 2 and constitutes thus a Ru-TAP compound that can be easily derivatized for photodamaging biomolecules. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011