Exploring the localized-to-delocalized boundary in mixed-valence systems using infrared spectroelectrochemistry

Infrared spectroelectrochemistry has been used to explore the vibrational properties of a pyrazine-bridged osmium-polypyridine dimer as a function of its formally metal-centered oxidation states (i.e., Os(II)Os(II), Os(II)Os(III), and Os(III)Os(III)). The infrared spectrum of the "mixed-valent" species is particularly interesting and exhibits features consistent with both electronic localization and delocalization on the vibrational time scale, as revealed by the presence of both (i) a highly active totally symmetric mode from the bridging pyrazine ligand (nu(8a)), and (ii) total coalescence of at least four modes from peripheral bipyridine ligands. The nature and origin of the observed peaks were confirmed by analysis of the shifts in vibrational frequencies accompanying deuteration of pyrazine and also by comparison of the data for the dimeric complexes with those for the parent monomers.