Enhanced Photocatalytic Reduction of Methyl Viologen by Self-Assembling Ruthenium(II)Poly(Pyridyl) Complexes with L-Lysine Containing Side Chains

New tris(2,2‘-bipyridine)-type ruthenium(II) complexes with L -lysine-containing side chains form gels by hierarchical assembly of hydrogen bonded fibers in some organic solvents. These Ru(II) complex aggregates are more efficient photosensitizers for reduction of methyl viologen than Ru(bpy) 3 2+ in the presence of triethanolamine, a sacrificial electron donor. The increased rate of reduced viologen formation arises from an increased charge separation lifetime and an increased rate of reduction of Ru(III) to Ru(II) by triethanolamine.