Photo- and electrochemical redox behavior of cyclometalated Ru(II) complexes having a 3-phenylbenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridine ligand.

Cyclometalated Ru(II) complexes having a 3-phenylbenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridine (phbn) ligand have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The photo- and electrochemical redox behavior of the complexes are demonstrated. Complex [Ru(phbn)(bpy)(2)]PF(6) ([1]PF(6)) readily undergoes proton coupled two electron reduction by chemical, electrochemical, and photochemical methods to generate [Ru(phbnHH)(bpy)(2)]PF(6) ([1HH]PF(6)). The photochemical oxidation of [1HH]PF(6) was also observed in presence of p-chloranil.