Synthesis, Luminescence Quantum Yields, and Lifetimes of Trischelated Ruthenium(II) Mixed-ligand Complexes Including 3,3′-Dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl

Abstract New five complexes of the type of [RuL3−x(dmby)x]X2(x=1,2,3, L=2,2′-bipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline, dmby=3,3′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl, X=halide ion) have been synthesized in order to investigate the effects of two methyl groups of dmby on the absorption and emission spectra, luminescence quantum yields, and lifetimes. Values of the radiative and nonradiative rate constants have been calculated from these data at 77 K. Although the absorption and emission maxima and the lifetimes are not much affected by the dmby ligand substitution, the molar extinction coefficients and emission quantum yields are decreased compared with trischelated complexes of the parent bipyridyl or phenanthroline ligands. At 25 °C the emission yields of the complexes containing dmby decrease by 3–4 orders of magnitude than at 77 K. Possible causes of the decrease in the quantum yields are discussed.