A series of complexes. [Ru(bpy)(2)L](2+) where L is a linear oligoazine, wa
s synthesized and studied by cyclic voltammetry,H-1 NMR. emission. and UV-V
is spectroscopies. The UV-Vis sprctra below 45 000 cm(-1) were deconvoluted
into seven Gaussian lineshapes. The electronic structure of these complexe
s, as calculated by the density functional theory, was able to account for
the changes in the methyl group chemical shifts and the different features
in the UV-Vis spectra as a function of the L ligand. The conjugation length
in L is the primary factor in accounting for the observed changes. This gi
ves a method to produce subtle changes in the MLCT transition found in this
class of ruthenium complexes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re
served.