Electronic structure and spectra of linkage isomers of bis(bipyridine)(1,2-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinonato)ruthenium(II) and their redox series

Linkage isomers of bis(bipyridine)(1,2-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinonato)ruthenium(II), 1,2- and 1,9-coordinated complexes, and several of their oxidation products have been prepared chemically and/or electrochemically. For the 1,2-coordinated complex, the one- and two-electron oxidized species have been characterized, and for the 1,9-coordinated complex, the one-electron oxidized species has been characterized. The rich redox activity of these complexes leads to ambiguity in assessing the electronic structure. This paper reports EPR spectra of oddelectron species and detailed analyses of electronic spectra and structure of the complexes, based on INDO molecular orbital calculations. Results of calculations on the related 1-hydroxyanthraquinone complex and the free ligands,1,2-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (alizarin) and 1-hydroxyanthraquinone, are also briefly discussed.