Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 9, 2025

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
Synthesis, Characterization, and Water Oxidation Activity of Isomeric Ru Complexes
Md Asmaul Hoque1, Abhishek Dutta Chowdhury2, Somnath Maji1
1Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Av. Països Catalans 16, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
Abstract:
The synthesis and characterization of the isomeric ruthenium complexes with the general formula cis- and trans-[Ru(trpy)(qc)X] (trpy is 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine, qc is 8-quinolinecarboxylate, cis-1 and trans-1, X = Cl, n = 0; cis-2 and trans-2, X=OH2, n = 1) with respect to the relative disposition of the carboxylate and X ligands are reported. For comparison purposes, another set of ruthenium complexes with general formula cis- and trans-[Ru(trpy)(pic)(OH2)]+ (pic is 2-picolinate (cis-3, trans-3)) have been prepared. The complexes with a qc ligand show a more distorted geometry compared to the complexes with a pic ligand. In all of the cases, the trans isomers show lower potential values for all of the redox couples relative to the cis isomers. Complexes cis-2 and trans-2 with six-member chelate rings show higher catalytic activity than cis-3 and trans-3. Overall, it was shown that the electronic perturbation to the metal center exerted by different orientation and geometry of the ligands significantly influences both redox properties and catalytic performance.
Related Concept Videos
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can...
Properties of Organometallic Compounds
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Properties of Transition Metals
Synthesis and Decomposition Reactions

