Photochemistry and photophysics of Ru(II)-polypyridine complexes in the Bologna group. From early studies to recent developments

The investigations carried out in the Bologna group on Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and related systems are reviewed. The following topics are discussed: (i) bimolecular energy and electron-transfer processes (including the measure of the rate of self-exchange energy-transfer); (ii) tuning the excited state properties by changing the ligands (including a caged version of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)); (iii) chemi- and electrochemiluminescent processes (including the description of an artificial firefly); (iv) photochemistry without light; (v) molecular-level wires for energy and electron transfer: (vi) dendrimers for light harvesting; (vi) light-powered molecular machines. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.