Design and study of Bi[1,8]naphthyridine ligands as potential photooxidation mediators in Ru(II) polypyridyl aquo complexes.

A series of 3,3'-polymethylene-bridged bi[1,8]naphthyridine (binap) ligands, 3a-c, are complexed with Ru(II) to afford [Ru(tpy)(3a-c)(H(2)O)](2+) where an uncomplexed nitrogen on 3a-c is situated so it can form a H-bond with the coordinated water. An additional complex involving [Ru(4'-NMe(2)tpy)(3b)(H(2)O)](2+) is also prepared. X-ray analyses of the [Ru(tpy)(3a,c)(H(2)O)](2+) complexes indicate well-organized H-bonds even when the binap is nonplanar.