An easy one-pot synthesis of diverse 2,5-di(2-pyridyl)pyrroles: a versatile entry point to metal complexes of functionalised, meridial and tridentate 2,5-di(2-pyridyl)pyrrolato ligands.

A wide variety of 2,5-di(2-pyridyl)pyrroles (dppHs) substituted at the C3 and C4 positions of the pyrrole core were obtained by direct condensation of a 2-pyridylcarboxaldehyde (2 equiv), an α-methylene ketone with at least one electron-withdrawing substituent and ammonium acetate. A novel 2,5-di(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)pyrrole was also characterised. The dppHs provide a direct, quick entry to dipyridylpyrrolato (dpp(-) )-metal complexes. The meridial tridentate dpp(-) ligand is a useful anionic analogue of the terpyridyl ligand. The first (dpp)Ru complexes are described; the 3,4-substitution of the central pyrrole significantly perturbs the potentials of the redox processes of these complexes. A [(dpp)Ru(bpy)(MeCN)](+) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine) complex is an electrocatalyst for the reductive disproportionation of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide and the carbonate ion.