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Updated: Mar 7, 2026

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
Azobenzene-based ruthenium(ii) catalysts for light-controlled hydrogen generation.
A Telleria1, P W N M van Leeuwen2, Z Freixa3
1Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), 20080 San Sebastián, Spain. Zoraida_freixa@ehu.eus.
New ruthenium(II) complexes with azobenzene ligands were synthesized. Some complexes enable light-controlled hydrogen generation from ammonia-borane (AB) decomposition, demonstrating photo-switchable catalysis.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Photochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Ruthenium(II) half-sandwich complexes are versatile catalysts.
- Azobenzene ligands offer photo-responsive properties.
- Controlling catalytic activity with light is a key goal in green chemistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel ruthenium(II) half-sandwich complexes with azobenzene-appended ligands.
- To investigate the effect of metal coordination on the photoisomerization of azobenzene ligands.
- To evaluate the potential of these complexes as precatalysts for photo-controlled hydrogen generation.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and full characterization of eight new ruthenium(II) complexes.
- UV-vis spectroscopy to study photoisomerization.
- Catalytic testing for hydrogen generation via ammonia-borane (AB) hydrolysis.
- In situ irradiation studies to demonstrate photo-control.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of ruthenium(II) complexes with pyridine, bipyridine, and phosphine ligands.
- Coordination to ruthenium(II) inhibited trans-to-cis photoisomerization in azopyridine ligands but not in bipyridine or phosphine ligands.
- Complexes [Ru(p-Cym)(6)Cl]Cl and [Ru(p-Cym)(7)Cl]Cl showed light-induced changes in catalytic activity for hydrogen generation.
- Proof of concept for light-controlled hydrogen generation was established.
Conclusions:
- Ruthenium(II) coordination influences azobenzene photoisomerization differently depending on the ligand structure.
- Specific ruthenium(II) complexes can act as photo-switchable precatalysts for hydrogen generation.
- This work opens avenues for developing light-responsive catalytic systems.
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