Cp*Ru+ complexes of benzylideneaniline and salicylideneaniline

The reaction product of Cp*Ru(CH3CN)3 + OSO2CF3 − with salicylaldehyde yielded (1) which reacted with a series of aniline derivatives to produce air-stable solids. These products were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectrometry and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Solvatochromism studies of these products revealed that the p-NH2 and p-N(CH3)2 derivatives exhibit relatively large values of molecular hyperpolarizability and have the potential to exhibit nonlinear optical properties. These derivatives were further studied by electrochemical investigations.