Abstract
Premicellar precipitation, resolubilization and luminescing behaviors of $RuL_3^{2+}$ (L = bpy, phen, $Me_2bpy$) in aqueous alkylsulfate and sulfonate solutions were studied. Addition of the anionic surfactants to $RuL_3\;^{2+}$ solutions caused initial precipitation which was redissolved by further addition of the surfactants. The apparent solubility products $K_{sp}$'s of the precipitates were evaluated assuming 1:2 salt formation. The values were smaller as the ligand is more hydrophobic and the length of hydrocarbon chain of the surfactant is longer. The $K_{sp}$ values for L = bpy were constant over wide surfactant concentration range. However, those for L = $Me_2bpy$ and also for phen, but to less extent, increased with the surfactant concentration. The resolubilization of 1:2 salts was followed by red-shift of emission band and extensive emission quenching above critical concentration of the surfactants. The critical concentration was lower for more hydrophobic surfactant. For L = $Me_2bpy$, the blue-shifted emission band with enhanced emission intensity was observed in intermediate surfactant concentration region. The high ionic strength of media prevented the precipitate formation, but facilitated the red-shift of the emission bands. The results support that the precipitate is dissolved by accretion of surfactant anions to the salts to form water-soluble surfactant-rich $RuL_3$-surfactant anionic species. These species appeared to aggregate cooperatively to produce large clusters which exhibited the red-shifted emission.