A deuterium exchange reaction of the tris-(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) cation: evidence for the acidity of the 3,3′-protons

Abstract

The first observation of deuterium exchange upon 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) co-ordinated to ruthenium(II) is reported; the reaction of [Ru(bipy)₃]²⁺ in (CD₃)₂SO with Na[OCD₃] in CD₃OD to yield [Ru([3,3′-²H₂]-bipy)₃]²⁺ is demonstrated to involve deprotonation of the co-ordinated bipy ligand at the slightly acidic 3,3′-positions, an acidity promoted by steric strain.