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Reversible noninvasive control over the generation of singlet oxygen is demonstrated in a bicomponent system comprising a diarylethene photochromic switch and a porphyrin photosensitizer by selective irradiation at distinct wavelengths. The efficient generation of singlet oxygen by the photosensitizer is observed when the diarylethene unit is in the colorless open form. Singlet oxygen generation is not observed when the diarylethene is converted to the closed form. Irradiation of the closed form with visible light (>470 nm) leads to full recovery of the singlet oxygen generating ability of the porphyrin sensitizer.

The preparation of [FeIV(O)(MePy2tacn)]2+ (2, MePy2tacn = N-methyl-N,N-bis(2-picolyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) by reaction of [FeII(MePy2tacn)(solvent)]2+ (1) and PhIO in CH3CN and its full characterization are described. This compound can also be prepared photochemically from its iron(II) precursor by irradiation at 447 nm in the presence of catalytic amounts of [Ru II(bpy)3]2+ as photosensitizer and a sacrificial electron acceptor (Na2S2O8). Remarkably, the rate of the reaction of the photochemically prepared compound 2 toward sulfides increases 150-fold under irradiation, and 2 is partially regenerated after the sulfide has been consumed; hence, the process can be repeated several times. The origin of this rate enhancement has been established by studying the reaction of chemically generated compound 2 with sulfides under different conditions, which demonstrated that both light and [Ru II(bpy)3]2+ are necessary for the observed increase in the reaction rate. A combination of nanosecond time-resolved absorption spectroscopy with laser pulse excitation and other mechanistic studies has led to the conclusion that an electron transfer mechanism is the most plausible explanation for the observed rate enhancement. According to this mechanism, the in-situ-generated [RuIII(bpy)3] 3+ oxidizes the sulfide to form the corresponding radical cation, which is eventually oxidized by 2 to the corresponding sulfoxide We acknowledge the European Commission for projects FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG-303522 (A.C.), FP7-PEOPLE-2010-ERG-268445 (J.L.-F.), FP7-PEOPLE-CIG-303522 (M.G.B.), and ERC-009StG-239910 (MC.); the Spanish Ministry of Science for Projects CTQ2012-37420-C02-01/BQU (MC.), CSD2010-00065 (MC.), and CTQ2011-27758 (J.P.P.); Generalitat de Catalunya for an ICREA Academia Award and Project 2009-SGR637 (M.C.); and Generalitat Valenciana for Project ACOMP/2013/008 (J.P.P.). The Spanish Ministry of Science is acknowledged for a Ramon y Cajal contract to A.C. and J.L.-F. J.M.L. acknowledges the support, in part, of Labex ARCANE (ANR-11-LABX-0003-01). The work at the University of Minnesota was supported by the US National Science Foundation (Grant CHE1058248 to L.Q) and the Dr. Venkateswarlu Pothapragada and Family Fellowship (to M.P.). XAS data were collected at beamline 9-3 of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource supported by the US-NIH and US-DOE. We thank Catexel for a generous gift of tritosyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane

The separation of the four stereoisomers of [(Ru(bpy)2)2(bpt)](PF6)3 (where bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine, Hbpt = 3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole) by semipreparative HPLC is reported. The emission properties of the isomers obtained have been studied as a function of the enantiomeric purity of the solvent.

The synthesis and characterisation of a series of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes containing pyridyltriazole ligands in different coordination modes are described. The electrochemical and electronic properties of the compounds with respect to the coordination mode of the pyridyltriazole ligand are reported. Upon photolysis of the complex containing the 1-methyl-3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole ligand, irreversible ligand isomerisation is observed.

Time-resolved infrared spectroscopy was used to probe the photochemistry of three (μ(2)-alkyne)Co(2)(CO)(6) complexes. The data indicate the formation of a triplet diradical species, with lifetimes in the range 38-71 ps. Theoretical calculations support these experimental findings. No evidence for the CO loss species, (μ(2)-alkyne)Co(2)(CO)(5), was observed, and this is rationalized by the low quantum yield for this process at the excitation wavelengths used.

Photoswitchable dithienylethene groups, added to both alpha-ends of a sexithiophene molecular wire, switch reversibly between their open and closed forms upon irradiation. The open form has an excited state lifetime of 500 ps and is highly fluorescent, as is typical for oligothiophenes. In contrast the closed form is non-fluorescent and the excited state lifetime is a shorter by a factor of 100, reminiscent of a dithienylethene. In this system, we control the fundamental character of a molecular system through optical switching; toggling between a sexithiophene molecular wire and a dithienylethene reversibly. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Covalent attachment of the enzymes glucose oxidase and catalase to carbon nanotubes enables the tandem catalytic conversion of glucose and H2O2 formed to power autonomous movement of the nanotubes.

The manganese-containing catalytic system [(Mn2O3)-O-IV,IV(tmtacn)(2)](2+) (1)/carboxylic acid (where tmtacn=N,N,N-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane), initially identified for the cis-dihydroxylation and epoxidation of alkenes, is applied for a wide range of oxidative transformations, including oxidation of alkanes, alcohols and aldehydes employing H2O2 as oxidant. The substrate classes examined include primary and secondary aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aldehydes, and alkenes. The emphasis is not primarily on identifying optimum conditions for each individual substrate, but understanding the various factors that affect the reactivity of the Mn-tmtacn catalytic system and to explore which functional groups are oxidised preferentially. This catalytic system, of which the reactivity can be tuned by variation of the carboxylato ligands of the in situ formed [Mn-2(III,III)(O)(RCO2)(2)(tmtacn)(2)](2+) dimers, employs H2O2 in a highly atom efficient manner. In addition, several substrates containing more than one oxidation sensitive group could be oxidised selectively, in certain cases even in the absence of protecting groups.

In contrast to their photochromism, the electrochemistry of spiropyrans in self-assembled monolayers has attracted only modest attention in recent years. In this contribution the electrochemical oxidation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 6-nitro-BIPS spiropyran (SP) prepared on polycrystalline gold surfaces is described. The SAMs were characterized with cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and UV/vis absorption spectroelectrochemistry. The electrochemical oxidation of spiropyrans in solution results in aryl C-C coupling of the indole units and thereby the formation of a symmetric spiropyran dimer. Comparison of spectroscopic data obtained for electrochemically oxidized spiropyran dimers in solution with data from monolayers confirms that a similar oxidative coupling occurs in the SAMs on gold also. The dimer formed can be oxidized electrochemically to monocationic and dicationic states and shows remarkably good stability in UHV and ambient conditions in all three redox states. In addition, the dimerized spiropyran self-assembled monolayer show photochromism, which was characterized by XPS and SERS spectroscopy.

A new responsive material composed of an amphiphilic light-switchable dithienylethene unit functionalized with a hydrophobic cholesterol unit and a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol)-modified pyridinium group has been designed. This unique single-molecule system shows responsive light-switchable self-assembly in both water and organic solvents. Light-triggered reversible vesicle formation in aqueous solutions is reported. The molecule shows a different behavior in apolar aromatic solvents, in which light-con-trolled formation of organogel fibers is observed. The light-triggered aggregation behavior of this molecule demonstrates that control of a supramolecular structure with light can be achieved in both aqueous and organic media and that this ability can be present in a single molecule. This opens the way toward the effective development of new strategies in soft nanotechnology for applications in controlled chemical release systems.

Mechanical triggering of gelation of an organic solution by a carbazole-based bisurea organogelator is described. Both the duration of the mechanical stimulation and the gelator concentration control the gelation process and the characteristics of the gel obtained.

Diarylethenes have proven to be versatile responsive components in many applications due to their photochromic properties. In recent years their potential use as redox switchable components has become increasingly apparent. Applying dithienylethenes as redox switchable components requires their immobilisation on conducting substrates and hence electropolymerisation is a promising, albeit, challenging approach to developing such systems. In this review the electrochemical properties of dithienylethenes will be discussed together with a consideration of mechanistic aspects of the switching processes observed followed by a review of recent efforts to develop dithienylethene based redox and photoswitchable redox polymers through electropolymerisation.

Self-assembled monolayers of a 6-nitro BIPS spiropyran (SP) modified with a disulfide-terminated aliphatic chain were prepared on polycrystalline gold surfaces and characterized by UV/vis absorption, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SEAS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies (XPS). The SAMs obtained are composed of the ring-closed form (i.e., spiropyran) only. Irradiation with UV light results in conversion of the monolayer to the merocyanine form (MC), manifested in the appearance of an N+ contribution in the N Is region of the XPS spectrum of the SAMs, the characteristic absorption band of the MC form in the visible region at 555 nm, and the C-O stretching band in the SERS spectrum. Recovery of the initial state of the monolayer was observed both thermally and after irradiation with visible light. Several switching cycles were performed and monitored by SERS spectroscopy, demonstrating the stability of the SAMs during repeated switching between SP and MC states. A key finding in the present study is that ring-opening of the surface-immobilized spiropyrans can be induced by irradiation with continuous wave NIR (785 nm) light as well as by irradiation with UV light. We demonstrate that ring-opening by irradiation at 785 nm proceeds by a two-photon absorption pathway both in the SAMs and in the solid state. Hence, spiropyran SAMs on gold can undergo reversible photochemical switching from the SP to the MC form with both UV and NIR and the reverse reaction induced by irradiation with visible light or heating. Furthermore, the observation of NIR-induced switching with a continuous wave source holds important consequences in the study of photochromic switches on surfaces using SERS and emphasizes the importance of the use of multiple complementary techniques in characterizing photoresponsive SAMs.

Light-driven molecular motors convert light into mechanical energy via excited state reactions. In this work we follow sub-picosecond primary events in the cycle of a two-stroke unidirectional motor by fluorescence up-conversion and transient absorption.

A new modular approach to an artificial light-harvesting antenna system is presented. The approach involves the hierarchical self-assembly of porphyrin acceptor molecules to G-quadruplexes tethered to coumarin donor moieties.

We report the properties and switching characteristics of a series of dithienylethene photochromic switches immobilized on gold. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of three structurally related dithienylethenes were formed on roughened gold bead substrates and studied by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). These data were compared to SERS spectra obtained by aggregation of colloidal gold, solid state Raman spectra, and Raman spectra calculated using density functional theory (DFT). Two of the dithienylethenes studied have an "asymmetric" design, which was demonstrated earlier to lower the thermal barrier for photochemical ring opening in solution. Herein, we show that, when immobilized on a gold surface, the asymmetric dithienylethenes in fact display a higher thermal barrier than that of their symmetric counterparts. In addition, we show that photochemical ring closing of asymmetric dithienylethenes is inhibited when immobilized on gold.

The photochemical and photophysical behaviour of metal complexes remains a primary reason for the continuing and increasing interest in their study by both established and more recently developed spectroscopic techniques. The diversity of spectroscopic properties arises in large part from population of the wide range of electronic states accessible to mono‐ and multi‐nuclear metal‐centred species, including biomimetic model systems, as well as metalloproteins. Detailed investigation of the vibrational and vibronic energy states under both static and time‐resolved conditions is especially important in the development of a more complete understanding of the structure and dynamics of these systems. In many cases these studies focus on their role in biological function and potential application in catalytic and photocatalytic contexts. This report selects a number of recent examples of the use of Raman and resonance Raman methods to probe a variety of metal‐centred systems ranging from biomimetic oxidation catalysts to spin‐crossover complexes. In addition, the application of techniques developed more recently such as femtosecond stimulated Raman scattering, femtosecond coherence spectroscopy and time‐resolved X‐ray absorption spectroscopy will be discussed.

The application of drop coating deposition Raman (DCDR) spectroscopy to the field of reaction progress monitoring is addressed in this contribution. Although, DCDR spectroscopy has seen recent application in the study of biological fluids, its application in other areas has not yet been explored. Here we apply the technique to the catalysed oxidation of alkenes to epoxides in aqueous solutions at concentrations10 mM. The effect of surface characteristics, background interferences, homogeneity of distribution of analytes, drying time, as well as instrumental limits of detection and calibration are discussed. We demonstrate that reproducible spectra can be obtained routinely, with relatively little variance, with short acquisition times and samples volumes of 2-10 μl and as little as 1 μg of analyte. The utility of the technique compared with online reaction monitoring by (1)H NMR and Raman spectroscopy is demonstrated in the excellent correlation between data obtained off and on-line.

The Back Cover picture illustrates the critical role of the catalytic moiety in the early-time photodynamics of H2 generating photocatalysts. A new T3 excited state is observed to quench triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer (3MLCT) states. More information can be found in the Communication by A. Huijser and co-workers on page 2654 in Issue 17, 2016 (DOI:10.1002/cphc.201600458).

The regioselective methylation of a ruthenium polypyridyl complex bearing both a 1,2,4-triazolato and a pyrazine moiety is reported. In contrast to previous studies in which methylation of the 1,2,4-triazolato ring was observed, in the present system methylation takes place exclusively at the non-coordinated nitrogen of the pyrazine ring. The monomethylation is confirmed by H-1 NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS and the electronic properties of the methylated complexes are studied by UV/vis absorption, emission, surface enhanced, resonance and transient resonance Raman spectroscopy. Ligand deuteriation is used to simplify the H-1 NMR spectra and to assign definitively the Raman spectra. Acid-base studies show that the triazolato ring of the N-methylated complexes can be protonated at low pH and that at high pH the N-methyl group can be deprotonated reversibly. Furthermore it is shown that under conditions where the methyl group is deprotonated, demethylation occurs to recover the initial complex.

Reversible switching of conductance using redox triggered switching of a polymer-modified electrode is demonstrated. A bifunctional monomer comprising a central electroswitchable core and two bithiophene units enables formation of a film through anodic electropolymerization. The conductivity of the polymer can be switched electrochemically in a reversible manner by redox triggered opening and closing of the diarylethene unit. In the closed state, the conductivity of the modified electrode is higher than in the open state.

Developments in the fields of chemistry and materials science provide new components that hold the potential to improve the performance of liquid scintillation electron antineutrino detectors used for the monitoring of nuclear reactors. New compounds can provide for more efficient, stable, and safer operation of these detectors. Current detectors and their detector materials raise issues regarding size, quantum efficiency, stability, and spatial resolution for the vertex detection. For compact detectors (1 m3 active volume) improvement of these issues with existing liquid scintillation cocktails can be obtained by means of developing stable and efficient neutron capture agents. These agents comprise of boron or lithium containing coordination compounds, in addition advances in fluorescence detection technologies and optimization of solvent characteristics can improve the overall efficiency. Focus points of the new detector material design are to enable a compact, robust, and direction sensitive electron a...

A simple, high yielding catalytic method for the multigram scale selective epoxidation of electron-rich alkenes using near-stoichiometric H2O2 under ambient conditions is reported. The system consists of a Mn(II) salt (

Highly functionalized graphene were obtained through a zwitterion intermediate cycloaddition onto exfoliated graphene flakes under new reaction conditions. The functionalized graphene obtained formed stable dispersions in common solvents, including dimethylformamide (DMF), CHCl3 and water. Its dispersion in water is especially useful in a wide range of areas, such as composites, devices and biological applications.

The DNA cleavage activity of the iron(II) complex of the ligand N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine (N4Py) was investigated in the presence of the chromophores 1,8-naphthalimide (NI) and 9-aminoacridine (AA) under photo irradiation at 355 and 400.8 nm and compared to the activity of the complex without the chromophores. Whereas in most cases no synergistic effect of the added chromophores on DNA cleavage efficiency was observed, it was found that for Fe(I)N4Py, in combination with NI under irradiation at 355 nm, the DNA cleavage activity was increased. Surprisingly, it was found that the addition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers gave rise to significantly increased DNA cleavage efficiency, which is a highly counterintuitive observation since ROS are needed to achieve DNA cleavage. A hypothesis is put forward to explain, at least partly, these results. It is proposed that the addition of scavengers inhibits quenching of (NI)-N-3*, thus making photo-induced electron transfer between (NI)-N-3* and Fe(III)N4Py more efficient. This results in reduction of Fe(III)N4Py to Fe(II)N4Py, which can then react with ROS giving rise to DNA cleavage. Hence the role of the scavengers is to maintain a close to optimal concentration of ROS. The present study serves as an illustration of the care that needs to be exercised in interpreting the results of experiments using standard ROS scavengers, since especially in complex systems such as presented here they can give rise to unexpected phenomena. In the presence of 1,8-naphthalimide or 9-aminoacridine, ROS scavengers can increase the DNA cleavage efficiency of Fe (II)N4Py complex under photo irradiation.

Two types of graphene-based hybrid materials, graphene-TPP (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin) and graphene-PdTPP (PdTPP=palladium tetraphenylporphyrin), were prepared directly from pristine graphene through one-pot cycloaddition reactions. The hybrid materials were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), by TEM, by UV/Vis, FTIR, Raman, and luminescence spectroscopy, and by fluorescence/phosphorescence lifetime measurements. The presence of the covalent linkages between graphene and porphyrin was confirmed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy and further supported by control experiments. The presence of TPP (or PdTPP) in the hybrid material was demonstrated by UV/Vis spectroscopy, with TGA results indicating that the graphene-TPP and graphene-PdTPP hybrid materials contained approximately 18% TPP and 20% PdTPP. The quenching of fluorescence (or phosphorescence) and reduced lifetimes suggest excited state energy/electron transfer between graphene and the covalently attached TPP (or PdTPP) molecules.

The interaction between two TEMPO spin centers connected to a photoswitchable overcrowded alkene changes from noncoupled (three-line EPR spectrum) in the trans state, where the two spin centers are separated by similar to 22 angstrom, to strongly coupled (five-line EPR spectrum) in the cis state, where the separation is similar to 7 angstrom, upon photoswitching. Importantly, the performance of the alkene switching unit is essentially unaffected by the spin centers.

Molecular self-assembly is the basis for the formation of numerous artificial nanostructures(1,2). The self-organization of peptides(3-6), amphiphilic molecules composed of fused benzene rings(7-10) and other functional molecules(11-15) into nanotubes is of particular interest. However, the design of dynamic, complex self-organized systems that are responsive to external stimuli remains a significant challenge(16). Here, we report self-assembled, vesicle-capped nanotubes that can be selectively disassembled by irradiation. The walls of the nanotubes are 3-nmthick bilayers and are made from amphiphilic molecules with two hydrophobic legs that interdigitate when the molecules self-assemble into bilayers. In the presence of phospholipids, a phase separation between the phospholipids and the amphiphilic molecules creates nanotubes, which are end-capped by vesicles that can be chemically altered or removed and reattached without affecting the nanotubes. The presence of a photoswitchable and fluorescent core in the amphiphilic molecules allows fast and highly controlled disassembly of the nanotubes on irradiation, and distinct disassembly processes can be observed in real time using fluorescence microscopy.

The new compounds (VI), (VIII), (X), and (XII) are characterized by single crystal XRD, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements.

A combined theoretical and experimental study was performed on diarylethenes and diarylethene-capped sexithiophenes aiming at an improved understanding of the electrochemical and photochemical ring-opening and ring-closing mechanisms. Theoretical calculations, based on DFT and TDDFT, suggested that the spatial distribution and the occupancy of the frontier orbitals determine and control the diarylethenes' ring-opening and ring-closing upon photoirradiation and electrochemical oxidation. Optimized geometries, potential energy surfaces, and activation energies between the open-ring and closed-ring forms were calculated for diarylethenes in the neutral ground state, excited states, and mono- and dicationic states. Analysis of the frontier orbitals was employed to understand the cyclization and cycloreversion of diarylethenes and to predict and explain the switching properties of diarylethene-capped sexithiophene molecular wires. The TDDFT data were verified with experimentally measured UV/vis spectra. The DFT calculations estimated open-shell ground states of diarylethene-capped sexithiophene dications, which were verified with EPR spectroscopy, and the broadening of the peaks in the EPR spectra were explained with the calculated singlet-triplet splitting. The good agreement of experiment and theory allows for the understanding of switching behavior of diarylethenes in solutions, in metal break junctions, in monolayers on metal surfaces, and as a part of complex organic molecular wires.

The mono- (1) and dinuclear (2) ruthenium(II) bis(2,2'-bipyridine) complexes of 2,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)pyrazine (2,5-dpp), for which the UV/Vis absorption and emission as well as electrochemical properties have been described earlier, are reinvestigated here by resonance, surface enhanced and transient resonance Raman spectroscopy together with selective deuteration to determine the location of the lowest lying excited metal to ligand charge transfer ((MLCT)-M-3) states. The ground state absorption spectrum of both the mono- and dinuclear complexes are characterised by resonance Raman spectroscopy. The effect of deuteration on emission lifetimes together with the absence of characteristic bipy anion radical modes in the transient Raman spectra for both the mono- and dinuclear complexes bridged by the 2,5-dpp ligand confirms that the excited state is 2,5-dpp based; however DFT calculations and the effect of deuteration on emission lifetimes indicate that the bipy based MLCT states contribute to excited state deactivation. Resonance Raman and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) data for 1 and 2 are compared with that of the heterobimetallic complexes [Ru(bipy)(2)(2,5-dpp)PdCl2](2+) 3 and [Ru(bipy)(2)(2,5-dpp)PtCl2](2+) 4. The SERS data for 1 indicates that a heterobimetallic Ru-Au complex forms in situ upon addition of 1 to a gold colloid.

A pyrazine bridged ruthenium/palladium bimetallic photocatalyst with peripheral 4,4'-dicarboxyethyl-2,2'-bipyridine ligands, EtOOC-RuPd, is reported, together with its 2,2'-bipyridine analogue. Upon irradiation with visible light, EtOOC-RuPd catalyses the production of hydrogen gas whereas the complex RuPd does not.

A potentially scalable self-assembly method for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) involves the use of amphiphilic DNA block copolymers. One such hybrid is able to cover the entire area of solution-based SWNT technologies, from selective dispersion to nondestructive functionalization to high-yield device fabrication such as field-effect transistors.

In complex organisms, cells are often dependent on their extracellular matrix (ECM) for structural integrity, the mechanical properties of tissues, and for signaled regulation of cellular processes including adhesion, migration, growth, secretion, gene expression and apoptosis. Achieving dynamic control, i.e. by using an external stimulus, over the interactions between cells and artificial interfaces holds considerable promise in tissue engineering, medicine, cell biology and immunology. For example, improved spatial control over cell–surface interaction is potentially useful in the design of cell-based screening devices. Dynamic control over SAMs for cell adhesion provides an additional handle to direct and study the attachment of cells to surfaces, e.g., in studying cell spreading from a predetermined pattern in order to screen the cytotoxicity of drug candidates. However, ‘reversible’ control of cell adhesion onto substrates is an area that is still in its infancy. In this critical review recent developments in cell adhesion of mammalian cells to SAM-modified surfaces, the physical properties of which can be controlled by an external stimulus, e.g. by light, electrochemistry, etc., are discussed (118 references).

Photochemically induced ligand rearrangements for the N2 and N4 coordination isomers of the complex [Ru(bpy)2(Hpztr)]2+ and its deprotonated analogue [Ru(bpy)2(pztr)]+, where bpy is 2,2’-bipyridyl and Hpztr is pyrazine-1,2,4-triazole ligand, are reported. 1H NMR spectroscopic and HPLC studies indicate that in acetone and acetonitrile the complexes are photostable when the triazole ring is deprotonated. Irradiation of the protonated N2 isomer in acetone results in formation of the N4 isomer, with the N4 isomer being photostable. In acetonitrile both isomers show photolability of the triazole based ligand and full dissociation to form [Ru(bpy)2(CH3CN)2]2+ is observed. The activation parameters for the population of the 3MC state from the lowest 3MLCT manifold, as obtained from temperature dependent emission lifetime studies, are reported and their relevance to the observed photochemical behaviour is considered. The results obtained are discussed in relation the analogous pyridine-triazole complexes. Science Foundation Ireland Other funder Environmental Protection Agency Libyan Government Embargo until 14th May 2011 - AV 21/02/2011

The synthesis of two asymmetric dinuclear complexes with the formula [M(bpy)2(bpt)Ru(tpy)Cl]2+, where M = Ru (1a), Os(2a); bpy = 2,2’-bipyridyl; Hbpt = 3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)1,2,4-triazole and tpy = 2,2’,6’,2”-terpyridine, is reported. The compounds obtained are characterized by mass spectrometry, 1H-NMR, UV/vis/NIR absorption, luminescence and resonance Raman spectroscopy. Deuterium isotope labeling facilitates assignment of the 1H-NMR and resonance Raman spectra. The interaction between the two metal centers, mediated by the bridging 1,2,4-triazolato moiety in the mixed valent state, is assigned as type II based on the observation of metal to metal charge transfer absorption bands at 7090 and 5990 cm-1 for 1a and 2a, respectively. The extent of localization of the emissive excited state was determined by transient resonance Raman and emission spectroscopy. Both 1a and 2a show phosphorescence at the same wavelengths; however, whereas for compound 1a the emission is based on the Ru(tpy)Cl- center, for 2a the emissive state is localized on the Os(bpy)2- unit. This indicates that also in the excited state there is efficient interaction between the two metal centers. Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology Libyan Government Netherlands Science Foundation Embargo until Feb 2011 - AV 10/11/2010 SB. 15/11/'10 MD done OR 15/11/2010 Released 28/2/11 - OR

The femto- and picosecond time resolved spectroscopy of (eta(6)-cis-stilbene)Cr(CO)(3) provides evidence for three optically accessible excited states one leading to cis-trans isomerisation of the coordinated stilbene ligand and another which results in a slow release of CO.