Electrogenerated chemiluminescence. 59. Rhenium complexes

TLDR: In this article, the potential of a Pt disk working electrode between potentials sufficient to form the radical anionic and cationic species was observed in acetonitrile solutions of Re(L)(CO)3Cl complexes (Bu4NPF6 as electrolyte).

Abstract: Re(L)(CO)3Cl complexes (where L is 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2‘-bipyridine, or a phenanthroline or bipyridine derivative containing methyl groups) are photoluminescent in fluid solution at room temperature. In acetonitrile solutions, these complexes display one chemically reversible one-electron reduction process and one chemically irreversible oxidation process. λmax for the luminescence is dependent on the nature of L, and a linear relationship between λmax and the difference in electrode potentials for oxidation and reduction is evident. Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) was observed in acetonitrile solutions of these complexes (Bu4NPF6 as electrolyte) by stepping the potential of a Pt disk working electrode between potentials sufficient to form the radical anionic and cationic species. The relative amount of light produced during the anodic and cathodic pulses was dependent on the potential limits and pulse duration. ECL was also generated in the presence of coreactants, i.e., with tri-n-propylami...