Electron transfer reactions of ruthenium(II)-bipyridine complexes carrying tyrosine moiety with quinones.

Three ruthenium(II)-bipyridine complexes carrying a tyrosine moiety were synthesized and photophysical and electron transfer studies with quinones were carried out using absorption and emission spectral techniques. The binding efficiency of quinones with ruthenium(II)-bipyridine complexes was also studied using these techniques. The binding efficiency was moderate and similar for all complexes with all quinones. The quenching modes were also similar and efficient for all complexes with all quinones. The quenching processes were diffusion controlled. The rate of electron transfer was calculated using semiclassical theory.