Linear and macrocyclic ruthenium(II) complexes containing bis(2,2 `: 6 `,2 ``-terpyridine) ligands with flexible, naphthalene-centred spacers

The syntheses and characterization of six ditopic ligands which contain polyethyleneoxy-substituted naphthalene spacers connecting two 2,2`:6`,2 ``-terpyridine metal-binding domains are described. The ligands, L, have been used to prepare two series of ruthenium(II) complexes: linear complexes of type [(tpy)Ru(L)Ru(tpy)](4+) were prepared as models for polymeric species, and metallomacrocyclic species [RunLn](2n+) (n = 2 or 3). Single crystal structures of a representative ligand and macrocyclic Ru(II) complex are reported