A bridging ligand featuring terminal 2-pyridylphosphole moieties: synthesis, optical properties and Ru(II)-complex

2,2′-Di[2-(5-(2-pyridyl)phospholyl)]thiophene (2a) has been obtained in 63% yield via the Fagan–Nugentʹs route. Derivative 2a possesses an extended π-conjugated system and behaves as a bis(P,N-chelate) towards cationic (p-cymene)RuCl fragments affording the air-stable complex 3a in 60% yield. A diastereoselective coordination was observed and the solid state structure of the model Ru-complex 2b featuring a related 2-(2-pyridyl)-5-(2-thienyl)phosphole ligand is presented.