9,10-Dihydroanthracenyl structures: original ligands for the synthesis of polymetallic complexes through selective π-coordination.

N-Phenylsuccinimides and the corresponding pyrrolidines containing 9,10-dihydroanthracenyl skeletons were used for exploring their ability to coordinate RuCp(+) moieties through the aromatic rings. Electronic and steric tuning of ligands led to mono-, bi- and tri-metallic complexes. A full structural study was carried out in order to characterize the ruthenium organometallic compounds, proving the different coordination modes both in solution (NMR) and in solid state (X-ray diffraction). A modelling study (at DFT level) was completed with the aim to understand the selective π-coordination observed for mono- and bi-metallic complexes.