Synthesis of Os(ii)–Re(i)–Ru(ii) hetero-trinuclear complexes and their photophysical properties and photocatalytic abilities

Photofunctional trinuclear complexes containing three different central metals, i.e. Os(ii), Re(i) and Ru(ii), were synthesised for the first time using stepwise Mizoroki–Heck reactions. The vinylene groups in the bridging ligands of the Os(ii)–Re(i)–Ru(ii) trinuclear complexes were selectively reduced by photochemical hydrogenation in moderate yield, affording novel supramolecular photocatalysts which can absorb a wide range of visible light up to 730 nm and induce CO(2) reduction with high selectivity and durability. The turnover numbers of CO formation were over 4300. Details of the photophysical properties of these new trinuclear complexes, especially their intramolecular excitation-energy transfer phenomena, are also reported.