Nitrile ligands for controlled synthesis of alkynyl-ruthenium based homo and hetero bimetallic systems

Abstract

Wire like mono- and poly-nuclear molecules based on alkynyl ruthenium complexes whose core unit is trans-[Ru(C C-R)(R′C N)(dppe) 2][PF 6] are readily formed in soft conditions. The electronic dual character of the metallic unit, donor through the acetylide moiety, acceptor versus the nitrile ligand is exemplified through electrochemical studies of a series of ethynylferrocene and cyanoferrocene derivatives. A single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the [(dppe) 2(PhC C)Ru(N C-C 6H 4-C N)Ru(C CPh)(dppe) 2][2PF 6] bimetallic complex 5 shows that the global structure of such complexes consists of wire type dimetallic units. With the availability of this versatile, direct, and simple route, a new class of extended rigid rod systems of nanometric size with multilevel electron transfers is readily accessed.