UV-vis-NIR and EPR characterisation of the redox series [MQ _3] ~(2+,+,0,-,2-), M = Ru or Os, and Q = o-quinone derivative

摘要

The neutral title compounds with Q = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-quinone or 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-phenyl-o-iminobenzoquinone (Q _x) were studied by UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry and by EPR spectroscopy in the case of the odd-electron monocation and monoanion intermediates. Supported by DFT and TD-DFT calculations, the results indicate stepwise electron removal from predominantly ligand-based delocalised MOs on oxidation whereas the stepwise electron uptake on reduction involves unoccupied MOs with considerably metal-ligand mixed character. In both cases, the strong near-infrared absorption of the neutral precursors diminishes. In comparison to the ruthenium series, the osmium analogues exhibit larger transition energies from enhanced MO splitting and a different EPR response due to the higher spin-orbit coupling. The main difference between the quinone (1 ~n, 2 ~n) and corresponding monoiminoquinone systems (3 ~n, 4 ~n) is the shift of about 0.6 V to lower potentials for the monoimino analogues. While the absorption features do not differ markedly, the EPR data reflect a higher degree of covalent bonding for the complexes with monoimino ligands.