Ruthenium(ii) complexes containing functionalised β-diketonate ligands: developing a ferrocene mimic for biosensing applications.

Three series of ruthenium complexes with the general formula Ru(bpy)n(β-diketonato)3-n (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, n = 0, 1, 2) were prepared and investigated using cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis spectroscopy. Variation of both the number and electronic demand of the β-diketonato ligands resulted in well-defined modulation of the potential at which oxidation of the metal centre occurred. The observed potentials were shown to be in good agreement with calculated ligand electrochemical parameters. A novel ruthenium(ii) complex with electrochemical behaviour similar to that of ferrocene was identified.