Excited-state properties of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes containingasymmetric triazole ligands

The photochemical and photophysical properties of ruthenium polypyridyl com plexes containing 1,24-triazole-based ligands, such as pyridine- and pyrazi ne triazoles are reviewed. The excited-state behaviour of such complexes is discussed in relation to the asymmetry inherently present in these ligands . For the pyridine triazole-containing complexes a series of photochemicall y induced isomerisations is reported. Pyrazine triazole compounds show a ve ry unusual dual emission, which has been investigated using temperature dep endent emission lifetime studies and partial deuteriation. (C) 2000 Elsevie r Science S.A. All rights reserved.