Ligand reactivity in polypyridine complexes; the deuteriation of the bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)ruthenium( II ) cation

The complex [Ru(terpy)2][PF6]2(terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) undergoes a specific deuterium-exchange reaction involving H3,3′,5′,3″ upon treatment with NaOCD3 in CD3SOCD3–CD3OD, analogous to that observed with [Ru(bipy)3][PF6]2(bipy = 2,2′- bipyridine). The exchange of H3′,5′ is most rapid, an observation which enables cyclometallation pathways to be eliminated.