4,4'-Bipyridine

4,4′-Bipyridine (abbreviated to 4,4′-bipy or 4,4′-bpy) is a bipyridine which is mainly used as a precursor to N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium 2+, known as paraquat. This species is electroactive, and its toxicity arises from the ability of this dication to interrupt biological electron transfer. Because of its structure, 4,4′-bipyridine can bridge between metal centres to give coordination polymers. 4,4′-Bipyridine can also mediate electronic effects between two paramagnetic metal centers. 4,4′-Bipyridine (abbreviated to 4,4′-bipy or 4,4′-bpy) is a bipyridine which is mainly used as a precursor to N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium 2+, known as paraquat. This species is electroactive, and its toxicity arises from the ability of this dication to interrupt biological electron transfer. Because of its structure, 4,4′-bipyridine can bridge between metal centres to give coordination polymers. 4,4′-Bipyridine can also mediate electronic effects between two paramagnetic metal centers.