Transition metal complexes with (pyridyl)imidazole ligands

A complex having the formula:

• wherein c is a negative, neutral, or positive charge represented by −1 to −5, 0, or +1 to +5, inclusive, respectively;
• M is cobalt, iron, osmium, ruthenium, or vanadium;
• L1 is a substituted or an unsubstituted heterocyclic nitrogen-containing ligand sufficient to spatially or stereochemically shield M;
• L2 is a negatively charged ligand;
• and
• L and L′ are independently:
• wherein R′1 is a substituted or an unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl;
• each of Ra and Rb is independently —H, —F, —Cl, −Br, −I, −NO2, —CN, −CO2H, −SO3H, −NHNH2, −SH, −OH, −NH2, or substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkanoylamino, arylcarboxamido, hydrazino, alkylhydrazino, hydroxylamino, alkoxylamino, alkylthio, alkenyl, aryl, or alkyl;
• each of Rc and Rd is independently —H, —F, —Cl, −Br, −I, −NO2, —CN, −CO2H, −SO3H, −NHNH2, −SH, −OH, −NH2, or substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkanoylamino, arylcarboxamido, hydrazino, alkylhydrazino, hydroxylamino, alkoxylamino, alkylthio, alkenyl, aryl, or alkyl, or a combination of Rc and Rd forms a saturated or an unsaturated 5- or 6-membered ring;
• and
• each of R′3 and R′4 is independently —H, —F, —Cl, −Br, −I, −NO2, —CN, −CO2H, −SO3H, −NHNH2, −SH, −OH, −NH2, or substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkanoylamino, arylcarboxamido, hydrazino, alkylhydrazino, hydroxylamino, alkoxylamino, alkylthio, alkenyl, aryl, or alkyl, or a combination of R′3 and R′4 forms a saturated or an unsaturated 5- or 6-membered ring.