Synthesis and Application of Ruthenium(II) Alkenyl Complexes with Perylene Fluorophores for the Detection of Toxic Vapours and Gases

A series of new ruthenium(II) vinyl complexes has been prepared incorporating perylenemonoimide (PMI) units. This fluorogenic moiety was functionalised with terminal alkyne or pyridyl groups, allowing attachment to the metal either as a vinyl ligand or through the pyridyl nitrogen. The inherent low solubility of the perylene compounds was improved through the design of poly‐PEGylated (PEG=polyethylene glycol) units bearing a terminal alkyne or a pyridyl group. By absorbing the compounds on silica, vapours and gases could be detected in the solid state. The reaction of the complexes [Ru(CH=CH‐PerIm)Cl(CO)(py‐3PEG)(PPh3)2] and [Ru(CH=CH‐3PEG)Cl(CO)(py‐PerIm)(PPh3)2] with carbon monoxide, isonitrile or cyanide was found to result in modulation of the fluorescence behaviour. The complexes were observed to display solvatochromic effects and the interaction of the complexes with a wide range of other species was also studied. The study suggests that such complexes have potential for the detection of gases or vapours that are toxic to humans. Sensors: The first reported examples of ruthenium(II) vinyl complexes bearing perylenemonoimide units are able to detect carbon monoxide, isonitriles or cyanide through fluorescence changes (see figure).