Artificial photosynthesis based on dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells

A new series of amphiphilic heteroleptic ruthenium(II) sensitizers [Ru(H₂dcbpy)(dhbpy)(NCS)₂] (C1), [Ru(H₂dcbpy)(bccbpy)(NCS)₂] (C2), [Ru(H₂dcbpy)(mpubpy)(NCS)₂] (C3), [Ru(H₂dcbpy)(bhcbpy)(NCS)₂] (C4) have been synthesized and fully characterized by UV-Vis, emission, NMR and cyclic voltammetric studies (where dhbpy = 4,4′-dihexyl-2,2′-bipyridine, bccbpy = 4,4′-bis(cholesteroxycarbonyl)-2,2′-bipyridine, mpubpy = 4-methyl-4′-perfluoro-1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-undecyl-2,2′-bipyridine, bhcbpy = 4,4′-Bis(hexylcarboxamido)-2,2′-bipyridine). The amphiphilic amide heteroleptic ruthenium(II) sensitizers, self-assembled on TiO₂ surface from ethanol solution, reveal efficient sensitization in the visible window range yielding ≈80% incident photon-to-current efficiencies (IPCE). Under standard AM 1.5 sunlight, the C4 sensitizer gave 15 mA/cm² short circuit photocurrent density, 0.66 fill factor and an open circuit voltage of 0.75 V, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 7.4%.     

Luminescent probes for indole-binding proteins derived from ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes

We report here the synthesis, characterisation, electrochemical, photophysical and protein-binding properties of four luminescent ruthenium(II) polypyridine indole complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(L1)](PF₆)₂ (1), [Ru(bpy)₂(L2)](PF₆)₂ (2), [Ru(L1)₃](PF₆)₂ (1a), and [Ru(L2)₃](PF₆)₂ (2a) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; L1 = 4-(N-(2-indol-3-ylethyl)amido)-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine; L2 = 4-(N-(6-N-(2-indol-3-ylethyl)hexanamidyl)amido)-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine). Their indole-free counterparts, [Ru(bpy)₂(L3)](PF₆)₂ (3) and [Ru(L3)₃](PF₆)₂ (3a) (L3 = 4-(N-(ethyl)amido)-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine), have also been synthesised for comparison purposes. Cyclic voltammetric studies revealed ruthenium-based oxidation at ca. +1.3 V versus SCE and diimine-based reductions at ca. −1.20 to −2.28 V. The indole moieties of complexes 1, 2, 1a and 2a displayed an irreversible wave at ca. +1.1 V versus SCE. All the ruthenium(II) complexes exhibited intense and long-lived orange-red triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ³MLCT (dπ(Ru) → π*(L1-L3)) luminescence upon visible-light irradiation in fluid solutions at 298 K and in alcohol glass at 77 K. The binding of the indole-containing complexes to bovine serum album (BSA) has been studied by quenching experiments and emission titrations.     

Efficient sensitization of nanocrystalline TiO2 films with high molar extinction coefficient ruthenium complex

A novel heteroleptic polypyridine ruthenium complex, cis-Ru(L1)(L2)(NCS)₂, L1 = 4,4′-dicarboxylic acid-2,2′-bipyridine (dcbpy), L2 = 4,4′-bis[p-diethylamino]-α-styryl]-2,2′-bipyridine, was synthesized. The dye displays extremely high molar extinction coefficient, which is comparable with organic dye. Preliminary test shows the dye-sensitized TiO₂ solar cell gives high conversion efficiency up to 8.65% under 1 Sun, while 8.35% is given for N3 based DSCs under the same condition. The dye will be further employed in solid state DSCs with hole transport material.     

Synthesis and characterization of β-diketonato ruthenium(II) complexes with two 4-bromo or protected 4-ethynyl-2,2′-bipyridine ligands

Two new mononuclear mixed-ligand ruthenium(II) complexes with acetylacetonate ion (2,4-pentanedionate, acac) and functionalized bipyridine (bpy) in position 4, [Ru(bpyBr)₂(acac)](PF₆) (2; bpyBr = 4-Bromo-2,2′-bipyridine, acac = 2,4-pentanedionate ion) and [Ru(bpyOH)₂(acac)](PF₆) (3; bpyOH = 4-[2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol]-2,2′-bipyridine) were prepared as candidates for building blocks. The ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV-Vis, electrochemistry and FAB mass spectral data of these complexes are presented.     

Novel [Ru(polypyridine)(CO)2Cl2] and [Ru(polypyridine)2(CO)Cl]-type complexes: Characterizing the effects of introducing azopyridyl ligands by electrochemical, spectroscopic and crystallographic measurements

The reaction of ruthenium carbonyl polymer ([Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_n) with azopyridyl compounds (2,2′-azobispyridine; apy or 2-phenylazopyridine; pap) generated new complexes, [Ru(azo)(CO)₂Cl₂] (azo = apy, pap). [Ru(apy)(CO)₂Cl₂] underwent photodecarbonylation to give a chloro-bridged dimer complex, whereas the corresponding pap complex ([Ru(pap)(CO)₂Cl₂]) was not converted to a dimer. The reactions of the chloro-bridged dimer containing the bpy ligand (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) with either apy or pap resulted in the formation of mixed polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(azo)(bpy)(CO)Cl]⁺. The novel complexes containing azo ligands were characterized by various spectroscopic measurements including the determination of X-ray crystallographic structures. Both [Ru(azo)(CO)₂Cl₂] complexes have two CO groups in a cis position to each other and two chlorides in a trans position. The azo groups are situated cis to the CO ligand in [Ru(azo)(bpy)(CO)Cl]⁺. All complexes have azo N-N bond lengths of 1.26-1.29 Å. The complexes exhibited azo-based two-electron reduction processes in electrochemical measurements. The effects of introducing azopyridyl ligands to the ruthenium carbonyl complexes were examined by ligand-based redox potentials, stretching frequencies and force constants of CO groups and bond parameters around Ru-CO moieties.     

Communication of metal ions in the dinuclear ruthenium complexes containing 4,4′-bipyridine, 1,4-diisocyanobenzene, and pyrazine bridging ligands: Synthesis, characterization and structure determination

Reaction of [Ru(2,2′-bipyridine)(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)Cl]PF₆ (abbreviated to [Ru(bipy)(terpy)Cl]PF₆) with 0.5 equiv of the bidentate ligand L produces the dinuclear complexes [{Ru(bipy)(terpy)}₂(μ-L)](PF₆)₄ (L = 4,4′-bipyridine 1, 1,4-diisocyanobenzene 2 and pyrazine 3) in moderate yields. Treating [Ru(bipy)(terpy)Cl]PF₆ with equal molar of 1,4-diisocyanobenzene affords [Ru(bipy)(terpy)(CNC₆H₄NC)](PF₆)₂ (2a). These new complexes have been characterized by mass, NMR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, and the structures of 1-3 determined by an X-ray diffraction study. Cyclic voltammetric studies suggest that metal communication between the two ruthenium ions increases from 1 to 2 to 3.     

Syntheses, characterization, and DFT investigation of new mononuclear acetonitrile- and chloro-ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes

A series of mononuclear acetonitrile complexes of the type [Ru(CH₃CN)(L)(terpy)]²⁺ {L = phen (1), dpbpy (3), and bpm (5)}, and their reference complexes [RuCl(L)(terpy)]⁺ {L = phen (2), dpbpy (4), and dpphen (6)} were prepared and characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammograms (CV). Abbreviations of the ligands (Ls) are phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dpbpy = 4,4′-diphenyl-2,2′-bipyridine, bpm = 2,2′-bipyrimidine, dpphen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, and terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine. The X-ray structures of the two complexes 2 and 3 were newly obtained. The metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) bands in the visible region for 1, 3, and 5 in acetonitrile were blue shifted relative to those of the reference complexes [RuCl(L)(terpy)]⁺. CV for all the [Ru(CH₃CN)(L)(terpy)]²⁺ complexes showed the first oxidation wave at around 0.95 V, being more positive than those of [RuCl(L)(terpy)]⁺. The time-dependent-density-functional-theory approach (TDDFT) was used to interpret the absorption spectra of 1 and 2. Good agreement between computed and experimental absorption spectra was obtained. The DFT approach also revealed the orbital interactions between Ru(phen)(terpy) and CH₃CN or Cl⁻. It is demonstrated that the HOMO-LUMO energy gap of the acetonitrile ligand is larger than that of the Cl⁻ one.     

Theoretical studies on the absorption spectra of heteroleptic ruthenium polypyridyl dyes for nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells: Revisited with transition-component analysis

The absorption spectra of Ru complexes of the type cis-[Ru(H₂dcbpy)(L)(NCS)₂], where H₂dcbpy = 4,4′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine and L = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (1) or dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppz) (2), in water were calculated by means of the time-dependent density functional theory, and the calculated spectra were subjected to transition-component analysis. Comparison of the calculated spectra of protonated, partially and fully deprotonated, and electrostatically non-compensated and fully compensated forms of 1 and 2 in water with the corresponding experimental absorption spectra in 0.01 M aqueous NaOH indicated that the predominant molecular structures are fully deprotonated anionic structures that are fully compensated with counter cations. The shapes of the calculated absorption spectra well reproduce the shapes of the corresponding experimental spectra in detail over the entire visible region. The calculated results indicated that the difference between the performances of 1- and 2-sensitized solar cells is due to differences in the contributions of the various electronic excitations that make up the absorption spectra. Transition-component analysis provided a detailed, quantitative explanation of the components of the absorption spectra of 1 and 2 and may be useful for the design and synthesis of improved sensitizers for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells.     

Hybrid organic-inorganic assemblies built up from saturated heteropolyoxoanions and copper coordination polymers with mixed 4,4′-bipyridine and 2,2′-bipyridine ligands

Three new organic-inorganic hybrid compounds [Cu^I(2,2′-bipy)(4,4′-bipy)_0.5]₂[Cu^I(2,2′-bipy)(4,4′-Hbipy)][Cu^I(4,4′-bipy)]₂[P₂W₁₈O₆₂] · 3H₂O (1), [Cu^I(2,2′-bipy)(4,4′-bipy)_0.5]₂[Cu^I(4,4′-bipy)]₂[PW₁₂O₄₀] · 0.25H₂O (2), and[Cu^I(4,4′-bipy)]₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀] · en · 3H₂O (3) (2,2′- bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine), have been hydrothermally synthesized. Compound 1 represents the first 1D ladderlike structure formed by Dawson-type polyoxoanion [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻ and coordination polymer with mixed 4,4′-bipy and 2,2′-bipy ligands. The novel structure of 2 is composed of 1D hybrid zigzag chains linked by chains into a 3D framework. In compound 3, the [PMo₁₂O₄₀]³⁻ clusters are hung on chains to form a new 1D chain.     

Two new organic-inorganic hybrid materials based on the polyoxotungstoaluminates

Two new organic-inorganic hybrid compounds, {[Cu(2,2′-bipy)₂]₂(Hbpy)[α-AlW₁₂O₄₀]}·H₂O (1) and {[H₂en][Cu^I(4,4′-bipy)]₃(α-AlW₁₂O₄₀)}·4H₂O (2) (2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, py = pyridine, en = ethylene dimine) based on Keggin-type α-[AlW₁₂O₄₀]⁵⁻ polyoxoaions and transition-metal organoamine subunits, have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TG), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, the electrochemical properties and photocatalytic activity of compound 1 were studied. The structural analysis reveals that 1 shows a 1D infinite chain structure constructed from [α-AlW₁₂O₄₀]⁵⁻ polyoxoanions and {[Cu^II(2,2′-bipy)₂][Cu^II(2,2′-bipy)(py)]}⁴⁺ fragments, in which the remarkable aspect is that [α-AlW₁₂O₄₀]⁵⁻ polyoxoanion is modified in a fascinating symmetrical mode. Compound 2 displays an unprecedented 2D extended structure constructed from [α-AlW₁₂O₄₀]⁵⁻ polyoxoanions and 4,4′-bipy-Cu^I-4,4′-bipy linear chains, in which three - chain belts formed by three linear chains arranged Cu parallel connect alternately with [α-AlW₁₂O₄₀]⁵⁻ polyoxoanions. As far as we know, compounds 1 and 2 represent the first 1D and 2D extended hybrid materials constructed from 3d transition metals and polyoxotungstoaluminates linked through covalent bonds.     

Synthesis, properties and crystal structures of new binuclear lead(II) complexes based on phenyl, naphthyl-containing fluorine β-diketones and substituted 2,2′-bipyridines

Four lead(II) complexes with substituted 2,2′-bipyridine adducts and β-diketonates ligands, [Pb(5,5′-dm-2,2′-bpy)(tfpb)₂]₂1, [Pb(4,4′-dmo-2,2′-bpy)(tfpb)₂]₂2, [Pb(4,4′-dm-2,2′-bpy)(tfnb)₂]₂3 and [Pb(5,5′-dm-2,2′-bpy)(tfnb)₂]₂4, (“4,4′-dm-2,2′-bpy”, “5,5′-dm-2,2′-bpy”, “4,4′-dmo-2,2′-bpy”, “Htfpb” and “Htfnb” are the abbreviations of 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione and 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedione, respectively) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and also studied by thermal and electrochemical as well as X-ray crystallography. The supramolecular features in these complexes are guided/controlled by weak directional intramolecular interactions.     

3D supramolecular network assembly and thermal decomposition of new copper(II) complexes with pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

Four new Cu(II) complexes [Cu(pzda)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)] · 2.5H₂O (1), [Cu(pzda)(phen)(H₂O)] · H₂O (2), [Cu(pzda)(4,4′-bpy)] · H₂O (3) and [Cu(pzda)(bpe)_0.5(H₂O)] (4) were synthesized by hydrothermal reactions of copper salt (acetate or sulphate) with pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H₂pzda), and 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) or 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)-ethane (bpe), respectively. For 1 and 2, they are both monomeric entities which are further assembled into 3D supramolecular networks by hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions. Complex 3 has a 2D metal-organic framework which is connected into 3D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds. However, for 4, the bpe ligand bridges two Cu(II) ions into binuclear unit, and then the binuclear molecules are assembled into 3D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds between the coordination water molecule and the carboxylate oxygen atoms. The thermal decomposition mechanism of complexes 1 and 2 cooperated with powder XRD at different temperatures is discussed. The results reveal that once liberation of water molecules takes place the supramolecular network of 1 and 2 collapses.     

Syntheses and properties of new metal-carbon bonded heteroleptic complexes of ruthenium(II) containing terpyridine coligand

Reactions of 2-(arylazo)aniline, HL [H represents the dissociable protons upon orthometallation and HL is p-RC₆H₄N = NC₆H₄-NH₂; R = H for HL¹; CH₃ for HL² and Cl for HL³] with Ru(R₁-tpy)Cl₃ (where R₁-tpy is 4′-(R₁)-2,2′,6′′,2′′-terpyridine and R₁ = H or 4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl or 4-methylphenyl) afford a group of complexes of type [Ru(L)(R₁-tpy)]·ClO₄ each of which contains C,N,N coordinated L⁻ as a tridentate ligand along with a terpyridine. Structure of one such complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the Ru(II) complexes are diamagnetic, display characteristic ¹H NMR signals and intense dπ(Ru^II) → π∗(tpy) MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetric studies on [Ru(L)(R₁-tpy)]·ClO₄ complexes show Ru(II)-Ru(III) oxidation within 0.63-0.67 V versus SCE.     

A comparative study of ferrocenyl carboxylate cadmium(II) complexes prepared by two different synthetic methods

Reaction of ferrocenyl carboxylate H₂bfcs with Cd(Ac)₂ · 2H₂O (H₂bfcs = 1,1′-bis(3-carboxy-1-oxopropyl)ferrocene) gives the mononuclear tetrahydrate precursor Cd(Hbfcs)₂(H₂O)₄ (1). Investigation on the substitution reactions of 1 with imidazole or 2,2′-bpy afforded two one-dimensional (1D) complexes {[Cd₂(bfcs)₂(C₃H₄N₂)₆] · 4H₂O}_n (2) and {[Cd(bfcs)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O}_n (4) (2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), respectively. However, the one-step reactions of H₂bfcs, Cd(Ac)₂ · 2H₂O with imidazole or 2,2′-bpy result in the formation of two different 1D complexes {[Cd(bfcs)(C₃H₄N₂)₂] · CH₃OH · 2H₂O}_n (3) and [Cd(bfcs)(CH₃OH)]_n (5). It can be seen from the results that applying different synthetic routes produce dissimilar complexes from however the same materials and under the same reaction conditions. In addition, investigations of differential pulse voltammetry of these four 1D complexes indicate that their half-wave potentials are slightly higher than that of H₂bfcs.     

Luminescent ruthenium(II) amidodipyridoquinoxaline biotin complexes that display higher avidin-induced emission enhancement

A series of luminescent ruthenium(II) amidodipyridoquinoxaline biotin (dpq-B) complexes [Ru(N-N)₂(N-N′)](PF₆)₂ (N-N = 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Ph₂-phen); N-N′ = 2-((2-biotinamido)ethyl)amidodipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxaline (dpq-C2-B), 2-((6-biotinamido)hexyl)amidodipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxaline (dpq-C6-B)) has been designed as new luminescent probes for avidin. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of these complexes have been investigated. Upon irradiation, all the complexes exhibited metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (³MLCT) (dπ(Ru) → π^∗(diimine)) emission in fluid solutions at 298 K and in low-temperature glass. In aqueous buffer, the emission was extremely weak, probably a consequence of hydrogen-bonding interactions between the amide moiety of the dpq-B ligands and the water molecules. The avidin-binding properties of all the complexes have been studied by 4′-hydroxyazobenzene-2-carboxylic acid (HABA) assays, luminescence titrations, kinetics experiments and confocal microscopy using avidin-conjugated microspheres.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of one-dimensional organic/inorganic hybrid material: [Mo4O12(2,2′-bpy)3]n

A new polyoxomolybdenum compound [Mo₄O₁₂(2,2′-bpy)₃]_n (1) (2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TG analysis, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The solid state structure is a 1D chain with a repeat unit of three corner-sharing {MoO₄N₂} octahedra and one {MoO₄} tetrahedron.     

Synthesis, characterization, photophysics and intramolecular energy transfer process in bimetallic rhenium(I)-ruthenium(II) complexes

Two new heterobimetallic complexes of rhenium(I) and ruthenium(II) [(CO)₃(NN)Re(4,4′-bpy)Ru(NN)₂Cl](PF₆)₂ and already known monometallic complexes [Cl(NN)₂Ru(4,4′-bpy)](PF₆) and [(CO)₃(NN)Re(4,4′-bpy)](PF₆) and bimetallic complexes [Cl(NN)₂Ru(4,4′-bpy)Ru(NN)₂Cl](PF₆)₂, [(CO)₃(NN)Re(4,4′-bpy)Re(NN)(CO)₃](PF₆)₂ (NN = 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline; 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) are synthesized and characterized by spectral techniques. The photophysical properties of all the complexes are studied. It is found that attachment of rhenium(I) altered the photophysical characteristics of ruthenium(II). Excited state energy transfer from the rhenium(I) chromophore to the ruthenium(II) is observed upon excitation at 355 nm.     

Syntheses and characterization of nano-scale of the Mn complex with 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (pyterpy): The influence of the nano-structure upon catalytic properties

Nano-scale and single crystals of a new Mn^II complex, {[Mn(pyterpy)(H₂O)(NCS)_1.88Cl_0.12] · DMF} (1) [pyterpy = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine] have been synthesized by the reaction of pyterpy and mixtures of manganese(II) acetate and potassium thiocyanate as well as potassium chloride using sonochemical and heat gradient methods, respectively. The nano-structure was characterized by IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the structure of compound 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Thermal stability and catalytic properties of nanoparticles and single crystalline samples of compound 1 were studied and are compared with each other.     

Formation and structural chemistry of the unusual cyanide-bridged dinuclear species [Ru2(NN)2(CN)7] (NN = 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline)

Crystallisation of simple cyanoruthenate complex anions [Ru(NN)(CN)₄]²⁻ (NN = 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline) in the presence of Lewis-acidic cations such as Ln(III) or guanidinium cations results, in addition to the expected [Ru(NN)(CN)₄]²⁻ salts, in the formation of small amounts of salts of the dinuclear species [Ru₂(NN)₂(CN)₇]³⁻. These cyanide-bridged anions have arisen from the combination of two monomer units [Ru(NN)(CN)₄]²⁻ following the loss of one cyanide, presumably as HCN. The crystal structures of [Nd(H₂O)_5.5][Ru₂(bipy)₂(CN)₇] · 11H₂O and [Pr(H₂O)₆][Ru₂(phen)₂(CN)₇] · 9H₂O show that the cyanoruthenate anions form Ru-CN-Ln bridges to the Ln(III) cations, resulting in infinite coordination polymers consisting of fused Ru₂Ln₂(μ-CN)₄ squares and Ru₄Ln₂(μ-CN)₆ hexagons, which alternate to form a one-dimensional chain. In [CH₆N₃]₃[Ru₂(bipy)₂(CN)₇] · 2H₂O in contrast the discrete complex anions are involved in an extensive network of hydrogen-bonding involving terminal cyanide ligands, water molecules, and guanidinium cations. In the [Ru₂(NN)₂(CN)₇]³⁻ anions themselves the two NN ligands are approximately eclipsed, lying on the same side of the central Ru-CN-Ru axis, such that their peripheries are in close contact. Consequently, when NN = 4,4′-^tBu₂-2,2′-bipyridine the steric bulk of the t-butyl groups prevents the formation of the dinuclear anions, and the only product is the simple salt of the monomer, [CH₆N₃]₂[Ru(^tBu₂bipy)(CN)₄] · 2H₂O. We demonstrated by electrospray mass spectrometry that the dinuclear by-product [Ru₂(phen)₂(CN)₇]³⁻ could be formed in significant amounts during the synthesis of monomeric [Ru(phen)(CN)₄]²⁻ if the reaction time was too long or the medium too acidic. In the solid state the luminescence properties of [Ru₂(bipy)₂(CN)₇]³⁻ (as its guanidinium salt) are comparable to those of monomeric [Ru(bipy)(CN)₄]²⁻, with a ³MLCT emission at 581 nm.