Structure, spectroscopy and electrochemistry of the bis(2,2 '-bipyridine)(salicylato)ruthenium(II) complex

The bis(2,2'-bipyridine)(salicylato)ruthenium(II) complex has been prepared and characterized by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction, electroche mistry and resonance Raman spectroscopy. The electronic bands in the visibl e region have been assigned to Ru-bipy charge-transfer transitions and disc ussed in terms of ZINDO/S semiempirical calculations. Spectroelectrochemica l measurements have been performed in order to elucidate the nature of the electrochemical waves in the cyclic voltammograms. The green complex genera ted by oxidation of the complex at 0.25 V has been isolated, revealing subs tantial ruthenium-salicylate electronic mixing, as deduced from the corresp onding resonance Raman spectra. Further oxidations at 1.2 and 1.4 V have be en observed and ascribed to hydroxylation of the salicylate semiquinone lig and in the complex.