Synthesis and Dynamic Behavior of an Anthyridine-Ligated Ruthenium Complex

A ruthenium complex containing a 1,9,10-anthyridine derivative, [Ru­(L)­(bpy)2]­(PF6)2 ([1]­(PF6)2; L = 1,13,14-triazadibenz­[a,j]­anthracene, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl), was synthesized. X-ray crystal structural analysis of [1]­(PF6)2 showed that L is coordinated to the Ru center as a bidentate ligand. When [1]­(PF6)2 was dissolved in acetonitrile, a new complex incorporating one acetonitrile molecule, [Ru­(L)­(CH3CN)­(bpy)2]­(PF6)2 ([2]­(PF6)2), was formed. X-ray crystallographic data revealed that, in [2]­(PF6)2, L is coordinated to the Ru center in a monodentate fashion. The coordinated L in [2]­(PF6)2 shows a unique haptotropic rearrangement in an acetonitrile solution.