PHOTOINDUCED EXCITABILITY IN THE TRIS-(BIPYRIDYL)RUTHENIUM(II)-CATALYZED MINIMAL BROMATE OSCILLATOR

The tris-(bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)-catalyzed minimal bromate oscillator in its reduced state was found to exhibit an excitable pulse response to the pulsed light perturbation in the visible region, while the oxi dized steady state did not respond to the light pulse. The oxidized st eady state under the continuous illumination was also found to be inse nsitive to a negative light pulse perturbation. These results are succ essfully accounted for by the reaction scheme in which the photo-excit ed metal complex produces additional HBrO2 to enhance the autocatalyti c process. No evidence was found to support the photo-production of Br - in the minimal bromate oscillator. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.