In its most simple form, the energy gap law for excited-state nonradiative decay predicts a linear dependence of ln k(nr) on the ground- to excited-state energy gap, where k(nr) is the rate constant for nonradiative decay. At this level of approximation, the energy gap law has been successfully applied to nonradiative decay in a wide array of MLCT excited states of polypyridyl complexes of Re(I), Ru(II), and Os(II). This relationship also predicts a dependence of k(nr) on the structural characteristics of the acceptor ligand. We report here a brief survey of the literature which suggests that such effects exist and have their origin in the extent of delocalization of the excited electron in the ligand pi framework and on acceptor ligand rigidity.

The syntheses and characterization of a series of complexes of the general formula [Cl(bpy‘)Ru(tppz)Ru(bpy‘)Cl](PF6)2, where tppz is tetra-2-pyridylpyrazine and bpy‘ is 2,2‘-bipyridine or substituted 2,2‘-bipyridine, are described. Preparations with 2,2‘-bipyridine or 4,4‘-dimethyl-2,2‘-bipyridine (1 and 2, respectively) give mixtures of two isomers. The isomers of 2 were separated chromatographically and the X-ray crystal structure of the cis isomer was solved. Significant distortion is observed in both the coordination geometry around each ruthenium atom and in the tppz ligand resulting in short intramolecular Ru···Ru and Cl···Cl separations (6.558(1) and 5.880(2) Å, respectively). Ligands containing two bipyridine groups linked through eight- and nine-atom bridges have also been synthesized. The length of the bridge between bipyridine groups allows for the formation of cis complexes 3−5 having the general formula shown above but prevents formation of a trans isomer.

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In the present work we report the synthesis and the electrochemical, photoluminescent and electroluminescent properties of two new Ru(II) complexes described by the general formula [Ru(phen)2X](2+), where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline. The X ligand consists of a 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) unit substituted with two phenyl rings connected to the bpy core through a saturated (Lhydro = 4,4'-diphenylethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) or a conjugated (LH = 4,4'-bis(α-styrene)-2,2'-bipyridine) carbon-carbon bridge. The photoluminescent spectra indicate that, both in solution and solid state, the complex bearing the aliphatic substitution bridges exhibits a higher quantum yield and a longer excited state lifetime than the fully conjugated complex. The new complexes were used in light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) showing red emission for the complex with the Lhydro ligand and no light emission for the complex incorporating the LH ligand. This and the photophysical properties make it plausible that for these complexes the degree of freedom increases with aliphatic substitution. As a consequence, the negative effect of the auto-quenching processes taking place in solid LEC devices due to the close molecular packing is limited. When compared with the archetype [Ru(phen)3](2+) complex, the complex with aliphatic substitution shows better performance in the device supporting the beneficial effect of the bulky substitution.