title: Electron delocalization in a ruthenium(II) Bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridyl) complex.
abstract: Photophysical properties have been recorded for a ruthenium(II) bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) complex bearing a single ethynylene substituent. The target compound is weakly emissive in fluid solution at room temperature, but both the emission yield and lifetime increase dramatically as the temperature is lowered. As found for the unsubstituted parent complex, the full temperature dependence indicates that the lowest-energy triplet state couples to two higher-energy triplets and to the ground state. Luminescence occurs only from the lowest-energy triplet state, but the radiative and nonradiative decay rates indicate that electron delocalization occurs at the triplet level. Comparison of the target compound with the parent complex indicates that the ethynylene group reduces the size of the electron-vibrational coupling element for nonradiative decay of the lowest-energy triplet state. Although other factors are affected by substitution, this is by far the most important feature with regard to stabilization of the triplet state.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Photonics Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences (Chemistry), University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Benniston
authors.forename: Glen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harriman
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehrabi
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sams