Comparative computational IR, Raman and phosphorescence study of Ru- and Rh-based complexes

We report density functional theory (DFT) calculations providing the infrared and Raman spectra of [Ru(II)(bpy)(3-n)(dcbpy)(n)](2+) and [Rh(III)(bpy)(3-n)(dcbpy)(n)](3+) complexes, where bpy = 2,2-bipyridyl, dcbpy = 4,4-dicarboxy-2,2-bipyridyl, and n = 0, 1, 2, 3, studied in the context of dye-sensitised solar cells. We compare and contrast the role of the metallic ion and of the COOH groups on the vibration and phosphorescence properties of these complexes. The vibrational spectra are not very sensitive to the replacement of the metal ion, but the presence of carboxyl groups leads to a richer spectrum due to the additional bands caused by the COOH groups. Comparison with the limited experimental data available allowed the assignment of the Raman bands. The calculated phosphorescence lifetimes suffer only modest changes when the COOH groups are introduced but vary significantly when changing the metal ion, being two orders of magnitude larger for Rh(III) than for the Ru(II) complexes.