Post-synthetic molecular modifications based on Schiff base condensation reactions for designing functional paddlewheel diruthenium(ii,ii) complexes

A new synthetic route for constructing functional paddlewheel diruthenium(II,II) complexes ([Ru-2(II,II)]) was developed by utilizing Schiff base condensation reactions of formyl-substituted benzoate-bridged [Ru-2(II,II)] complexes with various aromatic monoamines under mild conditions. Cyclic voltammetry and DFT calculations revealed that the attached Schiff base groups significantly affected the electronic states of the resulting [Ru-2(II,II)] complexes.