Proton Shift upon One‐Electron Reduction in Ruthenium(II)‐Coordinated Pterins^†

Abstract

A shift in focus: Fully oxidized pterins coordinated to ruthenium(II) undergo a first protonation at the nitrogen atom at the 1‐position of the pyrimidinone moiety. Subsequent one‐electron reduction induces an unprecedented proton shift from the nitrogen atom at the 1‐position to that at the 8‐position of the pyrazine moiety (see picture; C white, H yellow, N blue, O red).