[Re(η6-C6H5-benzimidazole)2]+ and Derivatives as Dye Mimics; Synthesis, UV Absorption Studies and DFT Calculations

Abstract

Functionalizations of highly oxidation and hydrolysis stable mono-cationic rhenium bis-arene complexes [Re(η6-C6H6)2]+ are of great interest. We directly built up structural features of the well-known Hoechst Dye on the coordinated arenes as a model for prospective DNA minor groove binding studies. Extensions of the aromatic bis-arene unit with functionalized and derivatized benzimidazole moieties resulted in a deep orange colour of the complexes, showing UV/Vis absorption spectra with multiple transition maxima. These have been assig Show more