Triphenylphosphine Photorelease and Induction of Catalytic Activity from Ruthenium-Arene Complexes Bearing a Photoswitchable <i>o</i>‑Tosylamide Azobenzene Ligand

The reactivity of cationic arene ruthenium complexes bearing a photoswitchable <i>o</i>-tosylamide azobenzene ligand toward various phosphorus nucleophiles was investigated. The resulting phosphine-ruthenium complexes containing an azobenzene ligand were isolated as the <i>Z</i> isomer. Under appropriate reaction conditions, quantitative triphenylphosphine photorelease from the complex was achieved through <i>Z</i> → <i>E</i> isomerization of the ligand. This process was applied to the photoinitiation of the catalytic aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction

Triphenylphosphine Photorelease and Induction of Catalytic Activity from Ruthenium-Arene Complexes Bearing a Photoswitchable <i>o</i>‑Tosylamide Azobenzene Ligand

The reactivity of cationic arene ruthenium complexes bearing a photoswitchable <i>o</i>-tosylamide azobenzene ligand toward various phosphorus nucleophiles was investigated. The resulting phosphine-ruthenium complexes containing an azobenzene ligand were isolated as the <i>Z</i> isomer. Under appropriate reaction conditions, quantitative triphenylphosphine photorelease from the complex was achieved through <i>Z</i> → <i>E</i> isomerization of the ligand. This process was applied to the photoinitiation of the catalytic aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction

Photoswitchable Arene Ruthenium Complexes Containing o‑Sulfonamide Azobenzene Ligands

A series of arene ruthenium complexes containing <i>o</i>-sulfonamide azobenzene ligands were synthesized and found to exhibit uncommon coordination pattern with an exocyclic NN bond. Upon irradiation, these complexes cleanly undergo <i>E</i> → <i>Z</i> photoisomerization followed by thermal <i>Z</i> → <i>E</i> isomerization (upon resting in the dark) whose rate is dependent on the solvent, the nature of the arene group, the sulfonamide moiety, and azobenzene substitution, as revealed by structure–property studies

Photoswitchable Arene Ruthenium Complexes Containing o‑Sulfonamide Azobenzene Ligands

A series of arene ruthenium complexes containing <i>o</i>-sulfonamide azobenzene ligands were synthesized and found to exhibit uncommon coordination pattern with an exocyclic NN bond. Upon irradiation, these complexes cleanly undergo <i>E</i> → <i>Z</i> photoisomerization followed by thermal <i>Z</i> → <i>E</i> isomerization (upon resting in the dark) whose rate is dependent on the solvent, the nature of the arene group, the sulfonamide moiety, and azobenzene substitution, as revealed by structure–property studies