A Novel 2,6-Bis(8’-quinolinyl)pyridine Rhenium Compound

Abstract

Light-induced electron and energy transfer in molecular systems is being extensively studied in view of artificial photosynthesis [1-3], molecular electronics [4] and biomedical applications. [5] An ideal photosensitizer should absorb light across a significant portion of the visible spectrum and possess an appropriately aligned excited state energy with sufficiently long lifetime to promote the desired electron transfer process. In this context, complexes of Re(I) containing polypyridine or diimine donors, usually with three carbon monoxide co-ligands, continue to be of great interest. These complexes have been well-investigated because of their intense visible emission properties, capability as building blocks for supramolecular systems, and catalytic activities. [6-8] However, photoinduced CO ligand dissociation, lack of significant visible light absorption, and the inherent potential chirality of polypyridine donors hinders the overall effectiveness of these systems. Previously, we prepared a homologous series of meridionallycoordinated tridentate terpyridine Re(I) complexes containing two carbon monoxide co-ligands. [9,10] The complexes all absorb light throughout a significant portion of the visible spectrum, and several of them absorb light throughout the entire visible A Novel 2,6-Bis(8’-quinolinyl)pyridine Rhenium Compound