The syntheses of three bridging electron transfer donor ligands are de
scribed based on coupling of the electron transfer donor, N, N'-dimeth
ylbenzidine with two 2,2'-bipyridines. Two different coupling strategi
es are used : coupling between an acid and an amine with formation of
an amide, and nucleophilic coupling between an amine and an electrophi
lic bipyridine. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.