A tridentate ligand for preparation of bisterpyridine-like ruthenium(II) complexes with an increased excited state lifetime

A new tridentate polypyridine ligand, 6-(2-picolyl)-2,2′-bipyridine, as well as its homoleptic Ru(II) complex has been prepared. Photophysical studies show a prolonged lifetime of the excited state compared to [Ru(tpy)2]2+, where tpy is 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine.