Ru(phen)2(bis-thioether)2+ complexes: Synthesis and photosubstitution reactions

Three new ruthenium(II) complexes which contain two 1,10-phenanthroline units and a third bis-thioether chelate have been prepared and characterized. For two complexes, the X-ray structure shows a perfect fit between the two phen ligands and the bis-thioethers, with almost perfect C2 symmetry for the Ru(phen)2 unit and the S-containing ligand. This geometrical complementarity is also reflected by π–π stacking between the phen nuclei and the S-borne phenyl rings. In relatively harsher preparation conditions a ruthenium complex composed of one phenanthroline and two bis-thioethers is formed as a result of a scrambling reaction. When a bis-thioether chelate incorporated in a macrocycle also including a 6,6′-disubstituted-2,2′-bipyridine unit is used, 1H NMR study shows that an exo S-bonded ruthenium(II) complex is obtained. In presence of chloride anions a photosubstitution reaction of the bis-thioether chelate takes place selectively and efficiently.