A straightforward method for the synthesis of
virtually enantiomerically pure ruthenium(II) polypyridyl
complexes [Ru(pp)(pp′)(pp″)](PF6)2, pp = bidentate polypyridyl
has been developed. The synthesis draws from the
readily available racemic starting material cis-[Ru(pp)(pp′)Cl2]
and the natural amino acids L- or D-proline and relies on a
dynamic asymmetric transformation under thermodynamic
control.