Precise manipulation of electron transfers in clustered five redox sites

Electron transfers in multinuclear metal complexes are the origin of their unique functionalities both in natural and artificial systems. However, electron transfers in multinuclear metal complexes are generally complicated, and predicting and controlling these electron transfers is extremely difficult. Herein, we report the precise manipulation of the electron transfers in multinuclear metal complexes. The development of a rational synthetic strategy afforded a series of pentanuclear metal complexes composed of metal ions and 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (Hbpp) as a platform to probe the phenomena. Electrochemical and spectroscopic investigations clarified the overall picture of the electron transfers in the pentanuclear complexes. In addition, unique electron transfer behaviours, in which the reduction of a metal centre occurs during the oxidation of the overall complex (reduction-upon-oxidation process), were discovered. We also elucidated the two dominant factors that determine the manner of the electron transfers. Our results provide comprehensive guidelines for interpreting the complicated electron transfers in multinuclear metal complexes.