The synthesis of several symmetrically 4,4''-functionalized 2,2':6',2''-terpyridines is reported. In addition to the biscarboxylic acid 4,4''-tpy(CO₂H)₂ (3), the anthryl esters 4,4''-tpy(CO₂CH₂Anth) ₂(5a) and 4,4''-tpy(CO₂CH₂CH₂OAnth)₂ (5b) were synthesized. Furthermore, both anthryl esters were used to synthesize symmetric iron(II)-bis(terpyridine)complexes 6a-b. Irradiation experiments were carried out with both the free ligands and an iron(II)-complex in order to investigate the photochemistry of the compounds.
Keywords: anthracene; coordination chemistry; photochemistry; terpyridine.