Regulation of charge delocalization in a heteronuclear Fe2 ru system by a stepwise photochromic process.

Heteronuclear complexes FeCp2 -DTE-C≡C-Ru(dppe)2 Cl (1 o; dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, Cp=cyclopentadienyl, DTE=dithienylethene) and FeCp2-DTE-C≡C-Ru(dppe)2-C≡C-DTE-FeCp2 (2 oo), with redox-active ferrocenyl and ruthenium centers separated by a photochromic DTE moiety, were prepared to achieve photoswitchable charge delocalization and Fe⋅⋅⋅Ru electronic communication. Upon UV-light irradiation of 2 oo, the Fe⋅⋅⋅Ru heterometallic electronic interaction is increasingly facilitated with stepwise photocyclization, 2 oo→2 co→2 cc; this is ascribed to the gradual increase in π-conjugated systems. The near-infrared absorptions in mixed-valence species [2 oo](+) /[2 co](+) /[2 cc](+) are gradually intensified following the conversion of [2 oo](+) →[2 co](+) →[2 cc](+) , which demonstrates that the extent of charge delocalization shows progressive enhancement with stepwise photocyclization. As revealed by electrochemical, spectroscopic, and theoretical studies, complex 2 exhibits nine switchable states through stepwise photochromic and reversible redox processes.