Synthesis and structure of rhodium complexes containing extended terpyridyl ligands

The reaction of the extended terpyridyl ligands, 4^′-(4^′′′-pyridyl)-2, 2^′:6^′,2″-terpyridine (qtpy), and 4^′-phenyl-2,2^′:6^′,2^′′-terpyridine (ptpy) with RhCl₃ and [tpyRhCl₃] (where tpy=2,2^′:6^′,2^′′-terpyridine) has been investigated. This has led to the isolation and characterisation of four new complexes. All the new complexes have had their molecular structures confirmed via X-ray crystallography studies. It has been shown that, consistent with related systems, changes in the electronic properties of the coordinated ligand results in modulation of the electrochemical and photophysical properties of the complex to which it is coordinated.