A single stranded diruthenium(II) helical complex

Abstract

2,2′:6′,2″:6″2‴:6‴,2â�—-Quinquepyridine (qpy) forms a binuclear complex [(tpy)Ru(qpy)Ru(tpy)Cl][PF₆]₃(tpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) which has been structurally characterised and shown t o possess a helical structure with two six-co-ordinate ruthenium centres bridged by the qpy ligand; the complex is electrochemically active, but there are no significant interactions between the two metal centres.