title: Ultrafast excited state dynamics controlling photochemical isomerization of N-methyl-4-[trans-2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]pyridinium coordinated to a {Re I(CO)3(2,2'-bipyridine)} chromophore.
abstract: Two multifunctional photoactive complexes [Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(MeDpe(+))(2)](2+) and [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) (MeDpe(+)=N-methyl-4-[trans-2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]pyridinium, bpy=2,2'-bipyridine) were synthesized, characterized, and their redox and photonic properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry; ultraviolet-visible-infrared (UV/Vis/IR) spectroelectrochemistry, stationary UV/Vis and resonance Raman spectroscopy; photolysis; picosecond time-resolved absorption spectroscopy in the visible and infrared regions; and time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy. The first reduction step of either complex occurs at about -1.1 V versus Fc/Fc(+) and is localized at MeDpe(+). Reduction alone does not induce a trans-->cis isomerization of MeDpe(+). [Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(MeDpe(+))(2)](2+) is photostable, while [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) and free MeDpe(+) isomerize under near-UV irradiation. The lowest excited state of [Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(MeDpe(+))(2)](2+) has been identified as the Re(Cl)(CO)(3)-->MeDpe(+ 3)MLCT (MLCT=metal-to-ligand charge transfer), decaying directly to the ground state with lifetimes of approximately 42 (73 %) and approximately 430 ps (27 %). Optical excitation of [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) leads to population of Re(CO)(3)-->MeDpe(+) and Re(CO)(3)-->bpy (3)MLCT states, from which a MeDpe(+) localized intraligand (3)pipi* excited state ((3)IL) is populated with lifetimes of approximately 0.6 and approximately 10 ps, respectively. The (3)IL state undergoes a approximately 21 ps internal rotation, which eventually produces the cis isomer on a much longer timescale. The different excited-state behavior of the two complexes and the absence of thermodynamically favorable interligand electron transfer in excited [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) reflect the fine energetic balance between excited states of different orbital origin, which can be tuned by subtle structural variations. The complex [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) emerges as a prototypical, multifunctional species with complementary redox and photonic behavior.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Busby
authors.forename: Frantisek
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hartl
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matousek
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Towrie
authors.forename: Antonín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vlcek
mesh_terms: D015082:2,2'-Dipyridyl / Q000737:chemistry*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D007536:Isomerism; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010777:Photochemistry; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012211:Rhenium / Q000737:chemistry*; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: C531998:N-methyl-4-(trans-2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl)pyridinium; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; D015082:2,2'-Dipyridyl; D012211:Rhenium