Conjugated Metal-Organic π-Systems
Mixed Valency in Symmetric and Unsymmetric Alkenylruthenium Complexes
Redox Active Ruthenium Metallamacrocycles
Styrylruthenium complexes with a chelating functionality at the aryl substituent or divinylphenylene-bridged diruthenium complexes and bis(carboxylates) with angular disposition of the carboxylate functionalities self-assemble to tri-, tetra- or hexaruthenium macrocycles. These structures are not only esthetically pleasing but exhibit rich electrochemistry and polyelectrochromism with strong absorption at low energy in the visible or in the near infrared of their oxidized forms. Moreover, the latter are paramagnetic with up to four independent spins. We presently aim at endowing these macrocycles with appropriate functionalities in order to use them as ligands or to access a further level of structural complexity through their self-association to higher-order structures. Further work is directed at exploring their host-guest chemistry towards suitable guests of complimentary shape or hydrogen-bonding properties or the fabrication of molecular conductive loops.