A dinuclear bis(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complex, [(bpy)2Ru<SUP>II</SUP>{L<SUP>2</SUP>-}Ru<SUP>II</SUP>(bpy)<SUB>2</SUB>]<SUP>2+</SUP>, incorporating an unusual non-innocent bridging ligand containing a p-benzoquinonediimine fragment: synthesis, structure, redox, and UV/VIS/NIR and EPR spectroelectrochemical properties

The reaction of [Ru(bpy)2(EtOH)2]2+ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) with the symmetrical binucleating phenolatodiimine ligand HOC6H4NCHC6H4CHNC6H4OH (H2L1) in ethanol under dinitrogen results in the unexpected formation of the diruthenium complex [(bpy)2RuII{OC6H4NC 6H3(NH)O}RuII(bpy)2](ClO4)21. In this complex, the bridging ligand (Lsq,sq)2- contains two inequivalent o-iminophenolate N,O-chelating binding sites, each formally at the semiquinone oxidation level, linked such that there is a p-benzoquinonediimine bridge between the two Ru centres. The crystal structures of H2L1 and of 1 have been determined. Complex 1 is electrochemically active and undergoes two reversible oxidations and two reversible reductions which, on the basis of UV/VIS/NIR and EPR spectroelectrochemical evidence, comparison with related systems and consideration of the redox potentials, we assign as centred on the bridging ligand. The two oxidations (at +0.12 and + 0.35 V versus SCE) result in formation of a neutral, fully quinonoidal bridging ligand Lq,q; in the 'mixed-valence' mono-oxidised state, a near-IR transition (1570 nm) is ascribed to an intra-ligand charge transfer from the non-oxidised (semiquinone-like) to the oxidised (quinone-like) terminus. The two reductions (at -0.98 and -1.38 V versus SCE) are localised on the central p-benzoquinonediimine unit of the bridging ligand, affording the p-benzosemiquinone radical and then a p-diamide unit. In addition, at more extreme potentials, two oxidations at +1.49 and +1.70 V versus SCE are ascribed to Ru(II)/Ru(III) couples, and the reduction at -1.81 V versus SCE is bpy-based