Designing Cyclometalated Ruthenium(II) Complexes for Anodic Electropolymerization

Friebe, Christian; Schulze, Benjamin; Görls, Helmar; Jäger, Michael; Schubert, Ulrich S.
Abstract:
The anodic electropolymerization of thiophene-functionalized cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complexes is shown for the first time. Oxidative decomposition reactions can be overcome by modification of the involved redox potentials through the introduction of electron-withdrawing substituents, namely nitro groups, at the cyclometalating phenyl ring. The generated functionalized ruthenium(II) complexes allow the electrochemical preparation of thin polymer films, which show a broad UV/Vis absorption as well as reversible redox switchability. The presented complexes are promising candidates for future photovoltaic applications based on photo-redox-active films.
Year:
2014
Type of Publication:
Article
Journal:
Chemistry - A European Journal
Volume:
20
Pages:
2357 - 2366