Influence of acid on the photoredox reaction between tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) and iron(III)

Abstract

Photoreaction between (bipy) 3 Ru 2+ (1) and iron(III) leads to efficient, reversible electron transfer. The rates of forward and reverse electron transfers are somewhat dependent upon the structure of the iron species. The forward reaction is fastest with the simple hydrated iron(III) ion but the reverse reaction is fastest when the iron(III) species is a negatively charged complex ion. Also, the concentration of acid is important and high concentrations of perchloric and trifluoromethyl-sulphonic acids yield the highest steady-state yield of redox products.