2-(1H-1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl)-Pyridine Ligands as Alternatives to 2,2 '-Bipyridines in Ruthenium(II) Complexes

The synthesis of a variety of 2-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-pyridines by click chemistry is demonstrated to provide straightforward access to mono-functionalized ligands. The ring-opening polymerization of E-caprolactone initiated by such a mono-functionalized ligand highlights the synthetic potential of this class of bidentate ligands with respect to polymer chemistry or the attachment onto surfaces and nanoparticles. The coordination to Ru-11 ions results in homoleptic and heteroleptic complexes with the resultant photophysical and electrochemical properties strongly dependent on the number of these ligands attached to the Ru-11 core.