Spectroscopic and photoelectrochemical differences between racemic and enantiomeric [Ru(phen)3]2+ ions intercalated into layered niobate K4Nb6O17

Chirality effects have been observed in the intercalation, spectroscopic and photoelectrochemical behavior when enantiomeric and racemic [Ru(phen)3]2+ complexes were intercalated in the interlayer spaces of K4Nb6O17. The results were interpreted in terms of a [Nb6O17]4−-chelate and chelate–chelate interactions. The faster luminescence decay and higher photocurrent of the enantiomeric [Ru(phen)3]2+–K4Nb6O17 compounds than the racemic ones suggest that the emission of adsorbed [Ru(phen)3]2+ ions was not only quenched by adsorbed complexes (or concentration quenching) but also by the semiconductive host lattices.