Pyrrolidine-Containing Polypyridines: New Ligands for Improved Visible Light Absorption by Ruthenium Complexes

Abstract
A range of new electron-releasing pyrrolidine-containing bipyridines and terpyridines has been prepared via selective metalation−cross-coupling sequences. The obtained ligands have been involved in microwave-assisted ruthenium complexation leading to homoleptic complexes in high yield. The electron-donor effect of the pyrrolidine nucleus led to a notable improvement of visible light absorption and strong changes in the electrochemical behavior, opening new opportunities for the design of photovoltaic devices.