A cross-coupling strategy for the synthesis of dimetallic assemblies containing mixed bipyridine-terpyridine bridging ligands: luminescence and energy transfer properties

Tris-bidentate complexes of the form [Ir((NC)-C-boolean AND)(2)((NN)-N-boolean AND)](+) and [Ru((NN)-N-boolean AND)(3)](2+) incorporating a boronic acid substituent ((NC)-C-boolean AND = 2- phenylpyridyl, (NN)-N-boolean AND = a 2,2'-bipyridyl ligand), are cross-coupled with bromo-substituted bis-terpyridyl ruthenium and iridium complexes to generate heterometallic assemblies comprising bpy-phi(n)-tpy bridges; they display efficient energy transfer from Ir(III) to Ru(II).