Photophysics of Supercomplexes. Adduct between Ru(bpy)(CN)42- and the [32]ane-N8H88+ Polyazamacrocycle

The formation of a supercomplex between the Ru(bpy)(CN)42- (bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine) complex and the [32]ane-N8H88+ macrocycle (1) has been studied in water and in acetonitrile. In acetonitrile, supercomplex formation is accompanied by (i) large hypsochromic shifts in the absorption spectrum (color changes from deep violet to yellow) and in the emission spectrum, (ii) large anodic shifts in standard oxidation (0.73 V) and reduction (0.37 V) potentials, (iii) typical shifts of 1H-NMR signals for the macrocycle N-bound protons and the complex bipyridine protons, and (iv) a large increase in the MLCT excited-state lifetime of the complex. In water, the spectral shifts and the changes in standard potential are much less pronounced, but supercomplex formation is evidenced by 13C-NMR (and 1H-NMR) and by emission lifetime changes. In both solvents, supercomplex formation is complete in 1:1, 1.0 × 10-4 M solutions, indicating very large stability constant values. A structure of the supercomplex with the macrocycle bound in a “boat” conformation to the four cyanide ligands of the complex, plausible in terms of molecular models, is consistent with all the experimental data. In water, the supercomplex further associates with added negative species containing carboxylate functions, as shown by partial reversal of the lifetime changes. When the added species is also a potential electron transfer quencher (such as, e.g., Rh(dcb)33-, dcb = 4,4‘-dicarboxy-2,2‘-bipyridine), however, association is not accompanied by quenching. This behavior is attributed to the structure of the supercomplex−quencher adduct, in which the macrocycle acts as an insulating spacer between the excited complex and the quencher.