A Novel Tripodal Ligand, Tris[(4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridyl-4-yl)methyl]carbinol and Its Trinuclear RuII/ReI Mixed-Metal Complexes: Synthesis, Emission Properties, and Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

A novel tripodal ligand, tris[(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl-4-yl)methyl]carbinol (L), has been synthesized. The spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photocatalytic properties of the new trinuclear complexes (Ru(2)Re and RuRe(2)) linked by the tripodal bridging ligand L are then investigated. In addition, 2-fold-improved photocatalytic activities were obtained in the case of these trinuclear complexes compared to the mixtures of the appropriate monometallic model complexes in the reduction of CO(2) under visible irradiation.