2,2 ': 6 ',2 ''-Terpyridine metal complexes as building blocks for extended functional metallo-supramolecular assemblies and polymers

2,2 ' :6 ' ,2 " -Terpyridine ligands were used for the preparation of vario us transition metal complexes including Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Ni( II), Mn(II), Hg(II) and Ru(II) with hexafluorophosphate counterions, In add ition to standard characterization methods the spectroscopic properties of the complexes were investigated and the crystallographic structure solved. The ruthenium(II) complex revealed the most interesting photochemical prope rties. First extended systems combining copolymers or fullerene units and t erpyridine metal complexes were synthesized.