New Ru(bpy)2L\u3csup\u3e2+\u3c/sup\u3e complexes where L is a linear oligoazine

A series of complexes, [Ru(bpy)2L]2+ where L is a linear oligoazine, was synthesized and studied by cyclic voltammetry, 1H NMR, emission, and UV - Vis spectroscopies. The UV - Vis spectra below 45 000 cm-1 were deconvoluted into seven Gaussian lineshapes. The electronic structure of these complexes, as calculated by the density functional theory, was able to account for the changes in the methyl group chemical shifts and the different features in the UV -Vis spectra as a function of the L ligand. The conjugation length in L is the primary factor in accounting for the observed changes. This gives a method to produce subtle changes in the MLCT transition found in this class of ruthenium complexes. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V