Stepwise synthesis of [Ru(trpy)(L)(X)](n+) (trpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine; L = 2,2'-dipyridylamine; X = Cl-, H2O, NO2-, NO+, O2-). Crystal structure, spectral, electron-transfer, and photophysical aspects.

Ruthenium-terpyridine complexes incorporating a 2,2'-dipyridylamine ancillary ligand Ru(II)(trpy)(L)(X)(n) [trpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine; L = 2,2'-dipyridylamine; and X = Cl(-), n = 1 (1); X = H(2)O, n = 2 (2); X = NO(2)(-), n = 1 (3); X = NO(+), n = 3 (4)] were synthesized in a stepwise manner starting from Ru(III)(trpy)(Cl)(3). The single-crystal X-ray structures of all of the four members (1-4) were determined. The Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple of 1 and 3 appeared at 0.64 and 0.88 V versus the saturated calomel electrode in acetonitrile. The aqua complex 2 exhibited a metal-based couple at 0.48 V in water, and the potential increased linearly with the decrease in pH. The electron-proton content of the redox process over the pH range of 6.8-1.0 was calculated to be a 2e(-)/1H(+) process. However, the chemical oxidation of 2 by an aq Ce(IV) solution in 1 N H(2)SO(4) led to the direct formation of corresponding oxo species Ru(IV)(trpy)(L)(O) via the concerted 2e(-)/2H(+) oxidation process. The two successive reductions of the coordinated nitrosyl function of 4 appeared at +0.34 and -0.34 V corresponding to Ru(II)-NO(+) --> Ru(II)-NO* and Ru(II)-NO* --> Ru(II)-NO(-), respectively. The one-electron-reduced Ru(II)-NO* species exhibited a free-radical electron paramagnetic resonance signal at g = 1.990 with nitrogen hyperfine structures at 77 K. The NO stretching frequency of 4 (1945 cm(-1)) was shifted to 1830 cm(-1) in the case of Ru(II)(trpy)(L)(NO*). In aqueous solution, the nitrosyl complex 4 slowly transformed to the nitro derivative 3 with the pseudo-first-order rate constant of k(298)/s(-1) = 1.7 x 10(-4). The chloro complex 1 exhibited a dual luminescence at 650 and 715 nm with excited-state lifetimes of 6 and 1 micros, respectively.