In this paper, we study the reactivity of diimines like 2,2'-bipyridine and its analogues using reactivity descriptors. We discuss evaluation of local descriptors using relaxed as well as frozen approximation and characterize the 𝜎/𝜋 acceptance/donor characteristics of the above ligands. The intermolecular reactivity sequence for the same systems is examined by the global and local philicity index. In addition, electron density analysis has been carried out to highlight the possible strengths of interaction of the bipyridine and its analogues with metal ions.

In this paper, we study the reactivity of diimines like 2, 2'-bipyridine, 1, l0-phenanthroline and 1, 2, 4-triazines using density-based reactivity descriptors. We discuss the enhancement or diminution in the reactivity of these ligands as a function of two substituent groups, namely methyl (-CH₃) group and phenyl (-C₆H₅) group. The global reactivity descriptors explain the global affinity and philicity of these ligands, whereas the local softness depicts the particular site selectivity. The inter-molecular reactivity trends for the same systems are analysed through the philicity and group philicity indices. The 𝜎-donor character of these ligands is quantified with the help of electron density profile. In addition, the possible strength of interaction of these ligands with metal ions is supported with actual reaction energies of Ru-L complexes.