4,4′-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing Ru(CO)Cl(P.SUP.i.Pr.SUB.3.).SUB.2 .moieties as an inorganic catalyst

Abstract

A 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(Co)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties, its synthesis, and its use as an catalyst in organic processes.

Claims

1. A 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties having the formula I: ##STR00008##

2. A method of making the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties of claim 1, the method comprising: adding 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 to a solution of HRu(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 to obtain a reaction mixture; stirring the reaction mixture for at least about 1 hour to obtain a crude precipitate; removing the CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 under reduced pressure and the crude precipitate by filtration; washing the crude precipitate to remove unreacted starting material; filtering and drying a washed precipitate; and obtaining the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties.

3. The method of making the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties of claim 2, wherein the crude precipitate is pink.

4. The method of making the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties of claim 2, wherein the crude precipitate is washed with n-hexane and MeOH.

5. The method of making the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties of claim 2, wherein the washed precipitate is dried in vacuo.

6. The method of making the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties of claim 2, wherein the solution of HRu(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 and the 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene are added in an about 0.42:0.25 molar ratio.

7. The method of making the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties of claim 2, wherein the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 compound is obtained in an about 87% yield.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopic changes during the first and the second oxidation of the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2/NBu.sub.4PF.sub.6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(2) The following definitions are provided for the purpose of understanding the present subject matter and for construing the appended patent claims.

Definitions

(3) Throughout the application, where compositions are described as having, including, or comprising specific components, or where processes are described as having, including, or comprising specific process steps, it is contemplated that compositions of the present teachings can also consist essentially of, or consist of, the recited components, and that the processes of the present teachings can also consist essentially of, or consist of, the recited process steps.

(4) It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

(5) In the application, where an element or component is said to be included in and/or selected from a list of recited elements or components, it should be understood that the element or component can be any one of the recited elements or components, or the element or component can be selected from a group consisting of two or more of the recited elements or components. Further, it should be understood that elements and/or features of a composition or a method described herein can be combined in a variety of ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings, whether explicit or implicit herein.

(6) The use of the terms include, includes, including, have, has, or having should be generally understood as open-ended and non-limiting unless specifically stated otherwise.

(7) The use of the singular herein includes the plural (and vice versa) unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, where the use of the term about is before a quantitative value, the present teachings also include the specific quantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise. As used herein, the term about refers to a ?10% variation from the nominal value unless otherwise indicated or inferred.

(8) The term optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not.

(9) It will be understood by those skilled in the art with respect to any chemical group containing one or more substituents that such groups are not intended to introduce any substitution or substitution patterns that are sterically impractical and/or physically non-feasible.

(10) Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently described subject matter pertains.

(11) Where a range of values is provided, for example, concentration ranges, percentage ranges, or ratio ranges, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the described subject matter. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges, and such embodiments are also encompassed within the described subject matter, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the described subject matter.

(12) Throughout the application, descriptions of various embodiments use comprising language. However, it will be understood by one of skill in the art, that in some specific instances, an embodiment can alternatively be described using the language consisting essentially of or consisting of.

(13) For purposes of better understanding the present teachings and in no way limiting the scope of the teachings, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or proportions, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. At the very least, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

(14) The present subject matter relates to a novel 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties with the general formula [{Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2}.sub.2(?{CH?CHC.sub.6H.sub.3-2-Me}.sub.2N?N-4,4)]. This five-coordinated, square-pyramidal, 16-valence electrons (VEs) type-complex was characterized in its neutral state by classical IR, UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopy technique, and in its two different reachable oxidized states by IR, UV/Vis/NIR spectro-electrochemistry along with electrochemical techniques. The 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties may function as a catalyst in organic processes.

(15) The product can be acquired in exceptional yields (average about 87%) using a two-component reaction between 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and HRu(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. The reaction components could be purified by some non-chromatographic techniques. The product can be analyzed using spectral data; IR, NMR & elemental analysis. The prepared compound can be used as a catalyst for organic processes.

(16) In an embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties having the formula I:

(17) ##STR00002##

(18) In certain embodiments, the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moities can be obtained as a red solid.

(19) In another embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a catalyst for organic reactions and processes.

(20) In one more embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a method of making the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties. The method includes a 2-step process where first 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene is synthesized. Then, the 4,4-divinylazoarylene bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties is synthesized from the 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene.

(21) The method for synthesizing 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene begins with 2-methylaniline being suspended in 20 mL HCl and 50 mL water. At 0? C. the amine group is diazotized by slowly adding a solution of NaNO.sub.2 in 25 mL water. After stirring the mixture at 0? C. for at least about 1 hour, the solution is carefully transferred via a cannula into a freshly prepared solution of CuSO.sub.4.Math.5H.sub.2O, NH.sub.4OH, NH.sub.2OH and 5 g of NaOH in 50 mL water. Then stirring continues at 25? C., and the reaction mixture is heated up to about 70? C. for about at least 1 hour. The resulting mixture is then cooled down and acidified with 25 mL HCl. The crude residue is taken up in a mixture of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and distilled water. The organic layer is extracted about three times with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. The combined organic layers may be dried over MgSO.sub.4 and the solvent may be evaporated in vacuo. Purification by column chromatography gives the desired 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diiodoazobenzene as an orange crystalline solid.

(22) The present production methods can be further seen by referring to the following Scheme 1:

(23) ##STR00003##

(24) Next, a degassed solution of 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diiodoazobenzene, triphenylphosphine, and excess trimethylsilylacetylene (TMSA) in dry trimethylamine is added to a mixture of CuI and PdCl.sub.2(PPh.sub.3).sub.2 in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The resulting mixture was stirred and heated to reflux overnight. Additional amounts of TMSA were added to ensure complete consumption of the starting material (TLC control). When the reaction was finished, the solvent was evaporated under vacuum and the residue was taken up in 5 mL CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and filtered over silica gel. Purification by column chromatography gave the desired 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-bis((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)azobenzene as an orange crystalline solid.

(25) Then, 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-bis((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)azobenzene is dissolved in a methanol/THF mixture and excess potassium carbonate is added. The completeness of the reaction is controlled via TLC. After full conversion, the solvent is evaporated under vacuum. The crude residue is taken up in a mixture of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and distilled water and the organic layer is extracted three times with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. The combined organic layers are dried over MgSO.sub.4 and the solvent is removed in vacuo to provide the desired 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene as an orange solid.

(26) Finally, the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties can be synthesized by a method comprising: adding 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene in CH.sub.2C.sub.2 to a solution of HRu(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 in CH.sub.2C.sub.2 to obtain a reaction mixture; stirring the reaction mixture for at least about 1 hour to obtain a precipitate; removing the CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 under reduced pressure; the precipitate by filtration; washing the precipitate to remove unreacted starting material; filtering and drying the precipitate; and obtaining the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 compound.

(27) The present production methods can be further seen by referring to the following Scheme 2:

(28) ##STR00004##

(29) In an embodiment of the present production methods, the crude precipitate can be pink.

(30) In another embodiment of the present production methods, the precipitate can be washed with n-hexane and MeOH.

(31) In a further embodiment of the present production methods, the precipitate can be dried in vacuo.

(32) In an embodiment of the present production methods, the HRu(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 and the 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzeneare can be added in an about 0.42:0.25 molar ratio.

(33) In an additional embodiment of the present production methods, the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties can be obtained in an about 87% yield.

(34) The following examples relate to various methods of manufacturing the specific compounds and application of the same, as described herein. All compound numbers expressed herein are with reference to the synthetic pathway figures shown above.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Preparation of 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diiodoazobenzene

(35) 2-methylaniline (0.07 mmol) was suspended in 20 mL HCl and 50 mL water. At 0? C. the amine group was diazotized by slowly adding a solution of NaNO.sub.2 (5.8 g, 0.08 mol, 1.2 eq.) in 25 mL water. After stirring the mixture at 0? C. for 1 hr, the solution was carefully transferred via a cannula into a freshly prepared solution of CuSO.sub.4.Math.5H.sub.2O (34.7 g, 0.14 mol, 2.0 eq.), NH.sub.4OH (75 mL, 0.48 mmol, 6.9 eq.), NH.sub.2OH (10.3 g, 0.15 mmol, 2.1 eq.) and 5 g of NaOH in 50 ml water. Then stirring was continued at 25? C., and the reaction mixture was heated up to 70? C. for 1 hr. The resulting mixture was cooled down and acidified with 25 mL HCl (37%). The crude residue was taken up in a mixture of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and distilled water and the organic layer was extracted three times with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO.sub.4 and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. Purification by column chromatography (eluent:petroleum ether/dichloromethane, 5:1) gave the desired 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diiodoazobenzene as an orange crystalline solid.

(36) Characterization of the prepared compound was determined using .sup.1H NMR. The elemental analysis can be seen as follows.

(37) 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diiodoazobenzene ? 7.55 (d, 2H, .sup.4J.sub.H(3)-H(2)=2.0 Hz, H.sub.(3)), 7.52 (d, 2H, .sup.3J.sub.H(1)-H(2)=8.6 Hz, H.sub.(1)), 7.41 (dd, 2H, .sup.3J.sub.H(2)-H(1)=8.6 Hz, .sup.4J.sub.H(2)-H(3)=2.0 Hz, H.sub.(2)), 2.70 (s, 6H, Me) ppm.

(38) ##STR00005##

Example 2

Preparation of 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-bis((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)azobenzene

(39) A degassed solution of 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diiodoazobenzene (0.9 mmol), triphenylphosphine (3 mol %) and 0.4 mL (2.7 mmol, 3 eq.) of excess trimethylsilylacetylene (TMSA) in dry 15 mL trimethylamine was added to a mixture of CuI (10 mol %) and PdCl.sub.2(PPh.sub.3).sub.2 (5 mol %) in 15 mL THF. The resulting mixture was stirred and heated to reflux overnight. Additional amounts of TMSA were added to ensure complete consumption of the starting material (TLC control). When the reaction was finished, the solvent was evaporated under vacuum and the residue was taken up in 5 mL CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and filtered over silica gel. Purification by column chromatography (eluent:petroleum ether/dichloromethane, 9:1) gave the desired 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-bis((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)azobenzene as an orange crystalline solid.

(40) Characterization of the prepared compound was determined using .sup.1H NMR. The elemental analysis can be seen as follows.

(41) 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-bis((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)azobenzene ? 7.55 (d, 2H, .sup.4J.sub.H(3)-H(2)=2.0 Hz, H.sub.(3)), 7.53 (d, 2H, .sup.3J.sub.H(1)-H(2)=8.6 Hz, H.sub.(1)), 7.40 (dd, 2H, .sup.3J.sub.H(2)-H(1)=8.6 Hz, .sup.4J.sub.H(2)-H(3)=2.0 Hz, H.sub.(2)), 2.70 (s, 6H, Me) ppm, 0.29 (s, 18H, 2SiMe.sub.3) ppm.

(42) ##STR00006##

Example 3

Preparation of 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene

(43) 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-bis((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)azobenzene (1.0 mmol) was dissolved in a methanol/THF mixture (10 ml/10 ml) and excess potassium carbonate (346 mg, 2.5 mmol, 2.5 eq.) was added. The completeness of the reaction was controlled via TLC (1 hr). After full conversion, the solvent was evaporated under vacuum. The crude residue was taken up in a mixture of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and distilled water and the organic layer was extracted three times with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO.sub.4 and the solvent was removed in vacuo to provide the desired 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene as an orange solid.

(44) Characterization of the prepared compound was determined using 1H NMR. The elemental analysis can be seen as follows.

(45) Elemental analysis for C.sub.18H.sub.14N.sub.2: C: 83.69; H: 5.46; N: 10.84. Found: C: 83.65; H: 5.41; N: 10.72%. UV-Vis (? max (nm), ? (M.sup.?1.Math.cm.sup.?1)): 247 (1.0.Math.104), 361 (2.1.Math.104). 1H-NMR: ? 7.54 (d, 2H, .sup.4J.sub.H(3)-H(2)=2.1 Hz, H.sub.(3)), 7.55 (d, 2H, .sup.3J.sub.H(1)-H(2)=8.6 Hz, H.sub.(2)), 7.42 (dd, 2H, .sup.3J.sub.H(2)-H(1)=8.6 Hz, .sup.4J.sub.H(2)-H(3)=2.1 Hz, H.sub.(2)), 2.69 (s, 6H, Me), 3.24 (s, 2H, 2HC?C) ppm.

(46) ##STR00007##

Example 4

Preparation of 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.SUP.i.Pr.SUB.3.).SUB.2

(47) To a stirred solution of HRu(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 (200 mg, 0.42 mmol, 1 eq.) in 5 mL of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 was slowly added via cannula a solution of the 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene (0.25 mmol, 0.6 eq.) in 5 mL of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. Upon addition, the color of the solution changed immediately from pale orange to deep red. The reaction mixture was stirred for an additional hour and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude pink precipitate was washed with 15 ml of n-hexane and 15 ml of MeOH to remove the unreacted starting material, then filtered and dried in vacuo to give the product as a red solid. 33.6 mg (0.13 mmol, 0.6 eq.) of 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene yielded 111 mg (0.09 mmol, 87%) of the complex.

(48) Characterization of the prepared compound was determined using .sup.31P-NMR and .sup.1H NMR, respectively. The elemental analysis can be seen as follows.

(49) Elemental analysis for C.sub.56H.sub.100C.sub.12N.sub.2O.sub.2P.sub.4Ru.sub.2: C: 54.67; H: 8.19; N: 2.28. Found: C: 54.57; H: 8.13; N: 2.31%. UV-Vis (? max (nm), ? (M.sup.?1.Math.cm.sup.?1)): 244 (2.8.Math.10.sup.4), 272 (2.6.Math.10.sup.4), 488 (4.0.Math.10.sup.4), 732 (3.1.Math.10.sup.3). IR (ATR, v in cm.sup.?1): 2960, 2925 (CH aryl, vinyl); 1907 (C?O); 1595, 1563, 1475 (C?C aryl, vinyl); 1530 (N?N).

(50) 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CD.sub.2Cl.sub.2) ?: 8.94 (d, 2H, .sup.3J.sub.H(1)-H(2)=13.4 Hz, H(1)), 7.50 (d, 2H, .sup.3J.sub.H(5)-H(4)=9.1 Hz, H(5)), 6.95 (d, 2H, .sup.4J.sub.H(3)-H(4)=1.4 Hz, H(4)), 6.93 (dd, 2H, .sup.3J.sub.H(4)-H(5)=9.1 Hz, .sup.4J.sub.H(4)-H(3)=1.4 Hz, H.sub.(4)), 6.07 (dt, .sup.3J.sub.H(2)-H(1)=13.3 Hz, .sup.4J.sub.H(2)-P=2.4 Hz, H.sub.(2)), 2.80 (m, 12H, CHP(CH.sub.3).sub.2), 2.61 (s, 6H, Me), 1.29 (m, 72H, (CH.sub.3).sub.2PCH) ppm.

(51) .sup.31P-NMR (162 MHz, CD.sub.2Cl.sub.2): ? 38.45 (s, P.sup.iPr3) ppm.

Example 5

NMR Characterization

(52) NMR Characterization

(53) This five-coordinated, square pyramidal, 16-valence electrons (VEs) complex 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties was produces as in Scheme 2, containing two{Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2(CH?CH)}?{Ru} end-groups that are linked by an azoarylene bridge linker. 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties, which were routinely characterized in their neutral state by conventional IR, UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopy and analytical techniques, and in its two different reachable oxidized states by IR, UV/Vis/NIR spectro-electrochemistry.

(54) The identity of 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-diethynylazobenzene and its corresponding bis(rutheniumalkenyl) 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties follows the correct numbers and integrations of their .sup.1H-NMR data. In their .sup.13P-NMR spectra, 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties, like other ruthenium-alkenyl of a similar family, showed a sharp singlet resonance at ?=38.5 ppm, confirming that the four P.sup.iPr.sub.3 ligands are chemically equivalent in which two of them are trans-disposed at each {Ru} end-groups.

(55) The .sup.1H-NMR spectrum shows a sharp singlet of the two equivalent terminal ethynyl protons for the free alkyne at ?=3.3 ppm while one set of the resonance signals at ? 2.4 ppm and ? 1.3 ppm for the methine CHP(CH.sub.3).sub.2 and methyl (CH.sub.3).sub.2PCH protons of the four equivalent P.sub.iPr.sub.3 ligands, respectively in the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties. The latter also showed a classical doublet at ? 8.94 ppm and doublet of triplet at ? 6.07 ppm of the four equivalent vinylic protons RuCH?(H.sub.1) and RuCH?CH (H.sub.2) with a large coupling constant .sup.3J.sub.H-H of about 13.3 Hz, respectively. This high coupling constant confirms a trans-geometry at the two vinylic double bonds resulting from cis-insertion of the diethynylazoarylene into the RuH bond in a regio- and stereospecific manner.

(56) Electrochemistry

(57) The redox behavior of the azoarylene-bridged bis(ruthenium-vinyl) complex 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties was initially scrutinized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square-wave voltammetry (SWV) techniques to probe the electrochemical properties and the extent of the electronic interaction (coupling) between the two ruthenium vinyl moieties. The experiments were performed in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2/n-NBu.sub.4+PF.sub.6 or NBu.sub.4+TFPB-TFPB=B[{(C.sub.6H.sub.3(CF.sub.3).sub.2-3,5}]4) (0.1 M) as the supporting electrolytes. The latter electrolyte was employed here because of its very weakly coordinating TFPB anion, which usually enhances the splitting of the two close redox-waves as it interacts very weakly with the positive charges generated on stepwise oxidation. Cyclic (curved) and square wave (linear) voltammograms of the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties in n-NBu.sup.4+PF.sup.6? (left) or NBu.sub.4+TFPB.sup.? (right) were recorded at a sweep rate of 0.1 V/s at r.t. versus the CP.sub.2Fe.sup.0/+ reference couple. The 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties undergoes a single chemically and electrochemically reversible two-electrons oxidation redox wave at 135 mV versus the CP.sub.2Fe.sup.0/+ reference couple scale, which refers to noteworthy negligible communication between the two remote redox-active end-groups. Attempts to separate the two redox waves failed even by using the NBu.sub.4+TFPB electrolyte.

(58) IR Spectro-Electrochemistry

(59) IR spectro-electrochemistry (SEC) is a quantitative and an informative tool used in this study to 1) try to separate the two individual redox processes and 2) get a crucial insight into the ruthenium-versus divinylazoarylene bridge-based character of the individual redox processes. This can be fulfilled via investigating the changes in the energies and the band patterns for the degree of metal dr/?*(CO) back-bonding upon accessible sequential oxidations, since those remarkable tokens are considered as an indicative measure of altering the electron density at the two ruthenium-vinyl moieties. The complex of 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties in its neutral state, shows classical intense vibrational bands at around 2950, 1914, 1550 and 1530 cm.sup.?1 assigned to the CH(aryl, alkyl), Ru(C?O), C?C(vinyl, aryl), and N?N stretches, respectively. This low energy of the {tilde over (v)} (CO) stretch band reflects the high electron density at the two ruthenium-alkenyl moieties. First and second oxidations of these complexes cleanly converted the neutral species to their corresponding mono- and di-cations in a stepwise fashion as indicated by distinct sets of isosbestic points.

(60) As a general scenario, in stepwise fashion oxidation to the first radical cations of the complex of 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties led to gradually replace the neutral Ru(CO) band at around 1914 cm.sup.?1 into a pattern of two bands; a lower-energy shoulder band with a very slight shift at 1916 cm.sup.?1 and another high energy band at 1972 cm.sup.?1. As the oxidation proceeded to the di-cation, the two CO bands of mixed-valent (MV) complexes 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2.sup.+ moieties are again blued-shifted and merged into a single band at 1974 cm.sup.?1. This typical observation pattern confirms a weakly coupled Class I system of Robin-Day classification of MV states.

(61) UV/Vis/NIR Spectroelectrochemistry

(62) Likewise all five-coordinated bis(ruthenium-alkenyl) complexes of the type {Ru}-arylene-{Ru} ({Ru}={Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2(CH?CH)}), complex 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties as depicted in FIG. 1, feature two main intense absorption UV-bands at 355 and 375 nm which both attributed to ?.fwdarw.?* transitions within the extended metal-organic divinylarylene bridge chromophore and although prohibited, a typical weak characteristic Vis-band at 500 nm which assigned to an electronic transition within the d-manifold with the d-orbitals which gives the brilliant pink color of this complex.

(63) Electrochemical oxidation was achieved by applying appropriate positive potentials to the complex 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties in NBu.sub.4+PF.sub.6.sup.?/CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 in the UV/Vis/NIR regimes. Upon the first oxidation, the intensity of the two UV-bands of the neutral complex collapsed with the concomitant of growth of new intense band at the border of Vis/NIR region at 800 nm and weak shoulder between 1400 to 2100 nm. The border Vis/NIR band is assigned to a ?.fwdarw.?* transition within an open-shell, extended ?-system. The same scenario was observed as the oxidation proceeded to (4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2).sup.2+ moieties except collapsed the shoulder between 1400 to 2150 nm.

(64) It is to be understood that the 4,4-divinylazobenzene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)Cl(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties, compositions containing the same, and methods of using and producing the same are not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the generic language of the following claims enabled by the embodiments described herein, or otherwise shown in the drawings or described above in terms sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed subject matter.