New paradigm of transition metal polypyridine complex photochemistry

Using polarization sensitive ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy we have studied energy transfer and excited state relaxation pathways in a tetranuclear transition metal [( osmium)( ruthenium)(3)] polypyridine complex. Contrary to the generally accepted picture of transition metal complex photochemistry we find that ultrafast energy transfer ( less than or equal to 60 fs) occurs from the excited singlet MLCT state of the peripheral Ru-chromophores to the central Os-core, in efficient competition with intersystem crossing. Energy transfer between relaxed triplet MLCT states is more than an order of magnitude slower ( 600 fs).