Determination of the Enantiomeric Purity of the Antiasthmatic Drug Montelukast by Means of 1H NMR Spectroscopy

In order to define an enantioselective nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method for the antiasthmatic drug montelukast, a series of nine easily available products were evaluated as NMR chiral solvating agents (CSAs): D‐dibenzoyltartaric acid, D‐ditoluoyltartaric acid, (+)‐camphorsulfonic acid, (S)‐BINOL, (S)‐3,3’‐diphenyl‐2,2’‐binaphthyl‐1,1’‐diol, (R)‐3,3'′‐di‐9‐anthracenyl‐1,1'′‐bi‐2‐naphthol, (R)‐3,3'′‐di‐9‐phenanthrenyl‐1,1'′‐bi‐2‐naphthol, Pirkle's alcohol, and (?)‐cinchonidine. It was proved that most of the studied agents constitute diastereomeric complexes with both drug enantiomers in CD₂Cl₂ or CDCl₃ solutions, thus permitting the direct ¹H NMR detection of the unwanted S‐enantiomer, even at levels of 0.75%. (?)‐Cinchonidine was found to be the more convenient CSA in terms of NMR enantiodiscrimination power and ease of experimental requirements. The final method was validated and applied to the fast monitoring of the optical purity of montelukast “in‐process” samples, circumventing the need for tedious and slower analytical procedures like enantioselective chromatography or capillary electrophoresis. In addition, a method for the enantiopurity control of the commercial drug (montelukast sodium salt) was also established using (S)‐BINOL as NMR CSA. Chirality 25: 780–786, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Monitoring the On‐line Titration of Enantiomeric Omeprazole Employing Continuous‐flow Capillary Microcoil 1H NMR Spectroscopy

The titration of the (S)‐enantiomer of omeprazole with the (R)‐enantiomer in chloroform‐d₁ is monitored by continuous‐flow capillary microcoil ¹H NMR spectroscopy employing a microcoil with a detection volume of 1.5 µl. The observed changes of the ¹H NMR chemical shifts indicate the formation of a heterochiral (R,S) dimer of omeprazole via its sulfinyl group and the NH group of the benzimidazole ring. Chirality 24:1074–1076, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis and chiroptical properties of organometallic complexes of helicenic N‐heterocyclic carbenes

Novel [4, 6]helicenes ( 4a,b ) bearing a fused imidazolium unit have been prepared from [4, 6]helicene‐2,3‐di‐n‐propyl‐amines 3a,b . The in situ formation of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) derivatives followed by their complexation to iridium(I) or rhodium(I) gave access to complexes 1a , 1′a , and 1b , containing mono‐coordinated helicene‐NHC, chloro and COD (COD = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) ligands. Ir and Rh complexes 1a and 1′a were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. HPLC and NMR analyses showed that Ir(I) complex 1b existed as a mixture of two diastereomeric complexes corresponding to enantiomeric pairs M‐(?)/P‐(+)‐ 1b ¹ and M‐(?)/P‐(+)‐ 1b ² which differ by the position of COD through space. The chiroptical properties (electronic circular dichroism and optical rotation) of the four stereoisomers were measured. These complexes were also tested as catalysts in a transfer hydrogenation reaction.     

Enantiomeric Specificity of Biologically Significant Cu(II) and Zn(II) Chromone Complexes Towards DNA

Novel chiral Schiff base ligands (R)/(S)‐2‐amino‐3‐(((1‐hydroxypropan‐2‐yl)imino)methyl)‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one (L₁ and L₂) derived from 2‐amino‐3‐formylchromone and (R/S)‐2‐amino‐1‐propanol and their Cu(II)/Zn(II) complexes ( R1 , S1 , R2 , and S2 ) were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), hydrogen (¹H) and carbon (¹³C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electrospray ionization‐mass spectra (ESI‐MS), and molar conductance measurements. The DNA binding studies of the complexes with calf thymus were carried out by employing different biophysical methods and molecular docking studies that revealed that complexes R1 and S1 prefers the guanine–cytosine‐rich region, whereas R2 and S2 prefers the adenine–thymine residues in the major groove of DNA. The relative trend in K_b values followed the order R1 S1 R2 S2 . This observation together with the findings of circular dichroic and fluorescence studies revealed maximal potential of (R)‐enantiomeric form of complexes to bind DNA. Furthermore, the absorption studies with mononucleotides were also monitored to examine the base‐specific interactions of the complexes that revealed a higher propensity of Cu(II) complexes for guanosine‐5′‐monophosphate disodium salt, whereas Zn(II) complexes preferentially bind to thymidine‐5′‐monophosphate disodium salt. The cleavage activity of R1 and R2 with pBR322 plasmid DNA was examined by gel electrophoresis that revealed that they are good DNA cleavage agents; nevertheless, R1 proved to show better DNA cleavage ability. Topoisomerase II inhibitory activity of complex R1 revealed that the complex inhibits topoisomerase II catalytic activity at a very low concentration (25 μM). Furthermore, in vitro antitumor activity of complexes R1 and S1 were screened against human carcinoma cell lines of different histological origin. Chirality 24:977–986, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enantiopurity Determination of the Enantiomers of the Triple Reuptake Inhibitor Indatraline

The present study describes the development of two approaches for the determination of the enantiopurity of both enantiomers of indatraline. Initially, a method was developed using different chiral solvating agents (CSAs) for diastereomeric discrimination regarding signal separation in ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, revealing MTPA as a promising choice for the differentiation of the indatraline enantiomers. This CSA was also tested for its ideal molar ratio, temperature, and solvent. Optimized conditions could be achieved that made determination of enantiopurity for (1R,3S)‐indatraline up to 98.9% enantiomeric excess (ee) possible. To quantify even higher enantiopurities, a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method based on a modified β‐cyclodextrine phase was established. The influence of buffer type, concentration, pH value, percentage and kind of organic modifier, temperature, injection volume as well as sample solvent on chromatographic parameters was investigated. Afterwards, the reliability of the established HPLC method was demonstrated by validation according to the ICH guideline Q2(R1) regarding specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, and quantitation limit. The developed method proved to be strictly linear within a concentration range of 1.25–1000 μM for the (1R,3S)‐enantiomer and 1.25‐750 μM for its mirror image that enables a reliable determination of enantiopurities up to 99.75% ee for the (1R,3S)‐enantiomer and up to 99.67% ee for the (1S,3R)‐enantiomer. Chirality 25:923–933, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Syntheses of new Camphorsulfonylated Ligands Derived from 2-Amino-2'-Hydroxy-1,1'-Binaphthyl and Their Enantioselectivities in the Addition of Dialkylzinc Reagents to Aldehydes

A series of new camphorsulfonylated ligands derived from chiral 2‐amino‐2′‐hydroxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl (NOBIN) and (+)‐camphorsulfonic acid were synthesized by a short and simple synthetic sequence, and their enantioselective catalytic activities were assessed in the nucleophilic addition reaction of dialkylzinc reagents to aldehydes in the presence of titanium tetraisopropoxide. The most efficient ligand, N‐hydroxycamphorsulfonylated (S)‐NOBIN, gave (S)‐addition products with good yields and up to 87% of ee value. The ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ¹³C NMR results of the titanium titration experiments on this ligand indicate that the most likely catalytic reactive species involved in this catalytic asymmetric addition is a bimetallic titanium complex. A possible catalytic reaction mechanism is proposed. Chirality 24:825–832, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enantiomeric differentiation of atropine/hyoscyamine by 13C NMR spectroscopy and its application to Datura stramonium extract

Introduction – The two enantiomers of hyoscyamine, an alkaloid found in many plant species, have distinct pharmacological and biological properties. Methods for the discrimination of both enantiomers are almost exclusively based on chiral HPLC/UV. Determination of the enantiomeric ratio (e.r.) of hyoscyamine is a challenging problem since this compound tends to racaemise, forming atropine during acid–base extraction. Objective – To develop a protocol for the calculation of enantiomeric ratio of hyoscyamine in a plant extract using a ¹³C NMR method. Methodology – Samples were prepared by extraction of dried Datura stramonium seeds. Observation of C12 and C15 NMR signals of hyoscyamine in the presence of one equivalent of TFA and sub‐stoichiometric amount of Yb(hfc)₃ allowed the calculation of the e.r. of S‐(?) and R‐(+)‐hyoscyamine. Results – The method was optimised with various mixtures of (+) and (?)‐hyoscyamine ranging from 50:50 (racaemic mixture, i.e. atropine) to 98.5:1.5. The e.r. measured by NMR on the signals of aromatic C12 and C15 were in agreement with the gravimetrically prepared samples. The method was then applied to an extract of Datura stramonium and S‐(?)‐hyoscyamine was the unique enantiomer. Conclusion – The study showed that the e.r. determination of atropine/hyoscyamine was achieved with a routine NMR spectrometer, using CLSR/TFA on pure compounds as well as on the crude extract of Datura stramonium. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Racemization of the gastrointestinal antisecretory chiral drug esomeprazole magnesium via the pyramidal inversion mechanism: A theoretical study

The pyramidal inversion mechanisms of the 6‐methoxy and the 5‐methoxy tautomers of (S)‐omeprazole were studied, employing ab initio and DFT methods. The conformational space of the model molecule (S)‐2‐[(3‐methyl‐2‐pyridinyl)methyl]sulfinyl‐1H‐benzimidazole was calculated, with respect to rotations around single bonds, at the B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) level. All of the resulting conformations were used as starting points for full optimizations of (S)‐omeprazole, at B3LYP/6‐31G(d), B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p), B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p), B3LYP/6‐311G(2df,2pd), MP2/6‐31G(d), and MP2/6‐311G(d,p) levels. Four distinct pathways were found for enantiomerization via the pyramidal inversion mechanism for each of the tautomers of (S)‐omeprazole. Each transition state, in which the sulfur, the oxygen and the two carbon atoms connected directly to the sulfur are in one plane, connects two diastereomeric minima. The enantiomerization is completed by free rotation around the sulfur–methylene bond, and around the methylene–pyridine ring bond. The effective Gibbs' free energy barrier for racemization ΔG of the two tautomers of (S)‐omeprazole are 39.8 kcal/mol (5‐methoxy tautomer) and 40.0 kcal/mol (6‐methoxy tautomer), indicating that the enantiomers of omeprazole are stable at room temperature (in the gas phase). The 5‐methoxy tautomer of (S)‐omeprazole was found to be slightly more stable than the 6‐methoxy tautomer, in the gas phase. The energy barrier (ΔG^?) for the(S,M) (S,P) diastereomerization of (S)‐omeprazole due to the rotation around the pyridine chiral axis was very low, 5.8 kcal/mole at B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p). Chirality 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Bifunctional Platinum(II) Complexes with Bisphosphonates Substituted Diamine Derivatives: Synthesis and In vitro Cytotoxicity

A series of N,N′‐dibisphosphonate‐containing 1,3‐propanediamine derivatives ( L1 – L6 ) and their corresponding dichloridoplatinum(II) complexes ( 1 – 6 ) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, ³¹P‐NMR and HR‐MS spectra. The in vitro antitumor activities of compounds L1 – L6 and 1 – 6 were tested by WST‐8 assay with Cell Counting Kit‐8, indicating that platinum‐based complexes 1 – 6 showed higher cytotoxicity than corresponding ligands L1 – L6 against A549 and MG‐63, especially complex 2 which displayed comparable cytotoxicity to those of cisplatin and zoledronate after 48 h incubation. In addition, complexes 1 – 6 were more active in vitro on osteosarcoma cell line MG‐63 than normal osteoblast cell line hFOB 1.19. The structure‐activity relationship has been summarized based on the in vitro cytotoxicity of three series of platinum complexes from this and our previous studies. The in vitro bone affinity of platinum complexes was also tested by hydroxyapatite (HAP) chromatography in terms of capacity factor K′. Besides, in this paper, representative complex 2 , which has been proved to be a promising antitumor agent with high cytotoxicity and bone HAP binding property, was investigated for its mechanism of action producing cell death against MG‐63.     

The determination of enantiomer composition of 1‐((3‐chlorophenyl)‐(phenyl)methyl) amine and 1‐((3‐chlorophenyl)(phenyl)‐methyl) urea (Galodif) by NMR spectroscopy,chiral HPLC,and polarimetry

For the first time, a method for enantiomer resolution of the anticonvulsant Galodif (1‐((3‐chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methyl) urea) by chiral HPLC was developed, whereas the enantiomeric composition of 1‐((3‐chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methyl) amine—precursor in Galodif synthesis—cannot be resolved by this method. However, starting 1‐((3‐chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methyl) amine quantitatively forms diastereomeric N‐((3‐chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methyl)‐1‐camphorsulfonamides in reaction with chiral (1R)‐(+)‐ or (1S)‐(?)‐camphor‐10‐sulfonyl chlorides. The diastereomeric ratio of obtained camphorsulfonamides can be easily determined by NMR ¹H and ¹³C spectroscopy. The DFT calculations of specific rotation of Galodif enantiomers showed good agreement with experimental data. The absolute configuration of enantiomers was proposed for the first time.     

Synthesis and enantiomeric analysis of cyclotriphosphazene derivatives with one centre of chirality

A series of chiral cyclotriphosphazene compounds 2-9 in which the spiro 3-amino-1-propanoxy moiety provides the one centre of chirality have been synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, MS, ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies. The enantiomers of newly synthesised compounds have been analysed by the changes in the ³¹P NMR spectra on addition of a Chiral Solvating Agent (CSA), (S)-(+)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9′-anthryl)ethanol. HPLC methods have been developed for the enantiomeric separations of chiral cyclotriphosphazenes containing one centre of chirality. It is found that chiral HPLC gave a good resolution of enantiomers of the racemic compounds 2-9 with resolution factors between 2.49 and 7.50 making them good candidates for enantiomeric separations and determination of absolute configuration.     

Utilization of (18‐Crown‐6)‐2,3,11,12‐tetracarboxylic Acid as a Chiral NMR Solvating Agent for Diamines and β‐Amino Acids

The compound (18‐crown‐6)‐2,3,11,12‐tetracarboxylic acid was evaluated as a chiral nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) solvating agent for a series of diamines and bicyclic β‐amino acids. The amine must be protonated for strong association with the crown ether. An advantage of (18‐crown‐6)‐2,3,11,12‐tetracarboxylic acid over many other crown ethers is that it undergoes a neutralization reaction with neutral amines to form the protonated species needed for binding. Twelve primary diamines in neutral and protonated forms were evaluated. Diamines with aryl and aliphatic groups were examined. Some are atropisomers with equivalent amine groups. Others have two nonequivalent amine groups. Association equilibria for these systems are complex, given the potential formation of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 crown‐amine complexes and given the various charged species in solution for mixtures of the crown ether with the neutral amine. The crown ether produced enantiomeric differentiation in the ¹H NMR spectrum of one or more resonances for every diamine substrate. Also, a series of five bicyclic β‐amino acids were examined and (18‐crown‐6)‐2,3,11,12‐tetracarboxylic acid caused enantiomeric differentiation in the ¹H NMR spectrum of three or more resonances of each compound. Chirality 27:708–715, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Use of isotopically chiral [4′-13C]penciclovir and 13C NMR to determine the specificity and absolute configuration of penciclovir phosphate esters formed in HSV-1- and HSV-2-infected cells and by HSV-1-encoded thymidine kinase

Penciclovir is a potent antiherpesvirus agent which is highly selective due to its phosphorylation only in virus infected cells. Phosphorylation of one of the hydroxymethyl groups of penciclovir (PCV) creates a chiral centre leading to the possible formation of (R)- and (S)-enantiomers. The absolute configuration and stereospecificity of the PCV-phosphates produced in cells infected with herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), as well as by HSV-1-encoded thymidine kinase, were determined using isotopically chiral [4′-¹³C]PCV precursors and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy of the isolated metabolites. The absolute configuration of penciclovir-triphosphate (PCV-TP) produced in HSV-1-infected cells was shown to be S with an enantiomeric purity of greater than 95%. However, in contrast to HSV-1-infected cells in which none of the (R) enantiomer was detected, about 10% of (R)-PCV-TP was produced in HSV-2-infected cells. Phosphorylation of PCV by HSV-1-encoded thymidine kinase was found to give 75% (S)- and 25% (R)-PCV-monophosphate. The proportion of the (S)-isomer appears to be amplified in the subsequent phosphorylations leading to the triphosphate. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fluorescence and absorption studies of DNA–Pd(II) complex interaction: Synthesis,spectroanalytical investigations and biological activities

Novel palladium(II) complexes ( 7a–7e ) of substituted quinoline derivatives were synthesized. The complexes were characterized using various techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis, conductance measurement, mass, absorption, infra‐red (IR), ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). Complexes for herring sperm DNA (HS DNA) binding were explored and absorption titration and the binding constant (K_b) as well as Gibb's free energy were evaluated. Complex 7d exhibited the highest binding constant, therefore the thermodynamic parameters of 7d at different temperatures were evaluated. To support the results of the absorption titration, fluorescence titration, viscosity measurement and molecular docking studies were performed. The fluorescence quenching data as evaluated from Stern–Volmer equation were used to calculate K_SV, K_f and the number of binding sites. The results of all these studies were in good agreement with the absorption study. DNA electrophoretic mobility was performed to explore the possible application of metal complexes as artificial metallonucleases. The antibacterial activity of the complexes was accessed against different pathogenic bacteria and cytotoxicity was measured using brine shrimp and S. pombe.     

Circularly polarized luminescence of Sm (III) and Eu (III) complexes with chiral ligand (R/S)‐BINAPO

Luminescent lanthanide (III) ions have been exploited for circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) for decades. However, very few of these studies have involved chiral samarium (III) complexes. Complexes are prepared by mixing axial chiral ligands (R/S))‐2,2’‐bis(diphenylphosphoryl)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl (BINAPO) with europium and samarium Tris (trifluoromethane sulfonate) (Eu (OTf)₃ and Sm (OTf)₃). Luminescence‐based titration shows that the complex formed is Ln((R/S)‐BINAPO)₂(OTf)₃, where Ln = Eu or Sm. The CPL spectra are reported for Eu((R/S)‐BINAPO)₂(OTf)₃ and Sm((R/S)‐BINAPO)₂(OTf)₃. The sign of the dissymmetry factors, g_em, was dependent upon the chirality of the BINAPO ligand, and the magnitudes were relatively large. Of all of the complexes in this study, Sm((S)‐BINAPO)₂(OTf)₃ has the largest g_em = 0.272, which is one of the largest recorded for a chiral Sm³⁺ complex. A theoretical three‐dimensional structural model of the complex that is consistent with the experimental observations is developed and refined. This report also shows that (R/S)‐BINAPO are the only reported ligands where g_em (Sm³⁺) > g_em (Eu³⁺).     

Absolute configurations and CD spectra of axially chiral biphenyls prepared in a facile manner by crystallization‐induced configuration transformation

Axially chiral biphenyls such as (M,S)‐ 3k have been conveniently obtained by crystallization of their diastereomeric mixtures, which were synthesized from racemic 4,4′‐dimethoxy‐5,6,5′,6′‐bis(methylenedioxy)‐2‐carboxylester‐2′‐carboxyl‐biphenyls 4 and chiral amino alcohols (R)‐alaninol, (S)‐alaninol, (S)‐valinol, and (S)‐phenylalaninol. A crystallization‐induced configuration transformation of the biphenyls was thus achieved. It was found that amide formation of an (S)‐valinol or (S)‐phenylalaninol at the 2′‐position of the biphenyl usually induced the deposition of crystals with the (M)‐configuration from ethanol in yields higher than 50%. The absolute configurations (ACs) of two crystalline biphenyls have been determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The ACs of nine biphenyls have been assigned based on their CD spectra. Further, stability investigation of these axially chiral biphenyls revealed that the ACs could revert upon redissolution. The energy barrier to epimerization between (P,R)‐ 3b and (M,R)‐ 3b was measured as ΔG^# = 21.45 kcal/mol and the half‐life in ethanol at 301 K was 17.1 h. Chirality, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Comparison of Chiral Separations of Aminophosphonic Acids and Their Aminocarboxylic Acid Analogs Using a Crown Ether Column

Crown ethers are capable of complexing with primary amines and have been utilized in chromatography to separate amino acid racemates. This application has been extended to resolve (1‐amino‐1‐phenylmethyl)phosphonic acid and (1‐aminoethyl)phosphonic acid racemates, along with their aminocarboxylic acid analogs (2‐phenylglycine and alanine, respectively), via a ChiroSil RCA crown ether based chiral stationary phase. Effects of the organic modifier, temperature, and acid type and concentration on retention and selectivity were also investigated. Trends in retention and selectivity varied between aminophosponic acids and their aminocarboxylic analogs. Computer modeling and ¹H NMR analyses were performed to potentially gain a better understanding of interactions of the aforementioned molecules with the ChiroSil RCA chiral stationary phase. Theoretical predictions of the most stable conformations for (R)‐ and (S)‐enantiomers were compared to elution order; it was found that the elution order agreed with molecular modeling such that the longest retention correlated with the predicted most stable complex between the enantiomer and crown ether. ¹H NMR demonstrated interactions of aminophosphonic and aminocarboxylic racemates with (+)‐(18‐crown‐6)‐2,3,11,12‐tetracarboxylic acid in solution and was utilized to determine enantiomeric excess of (1‐amino‐1‐phenylmethyl)phosphonic acid after its enantioenrichment via crystallization through diastereomeric salt formation with the crown ether followed by filtration. Chirality 25:369–378, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enantiomeric NMR signal separation behavior and mechanism of samarium(III) and neodymium(III) complexes with (S,S)‐ethylenediamine‐N,N'‐disuccinate

Enantiomeric ¹H and ¹³C NMR signal separation behaviors of various α‐amino acids and DL‐tartarate were investigated by using the samarium(III) and neodymium(III) complexes with (S ,S )‐ethylenediamine‐N ,N' ‐disuccinate as chiral shift reagents. A relatively smaller concentration ratio of the lanthanide(III) complex to substrates was suitable for the neodymium(III) complex compared with the samarium(III) one, striking a balance between relatively greater signal separation and broadening. To clarify the difference in the signal separation behavior, the chemical shifts of β‐protons for fully bound D‐ and L‐alanine (δ_b(D) and δ_b(L)) and their adduct formation constants (K s) were obtained for both metal complexes. Preference for D‐alanine was similarly observed for both complexes, while it was revealed that the difference between the δ_b(D) and δ_b(L) values is the significant factor to determine the enantiomeric signal separation. The neodymium(III) and samarium(III) complexes can be used complementarily for higher and smaller concentration ranges of substrates, respectively, because the neodymium(III) complex gives the larger difference between the δ_b(D) and δ_b(L) values with greater signal broadening compared to the samarium(III) complex.     

Structure?Activity Relationship of Polypyridyl Ruthenium(II) Complexes as DNA Intercalators,DNA Photocleavage Reagents,and DNA Topoisomerase and RNA Polymerase Inhibitors

To investigate the relationship between the molecular structure and biological activity of polypyridyl Ru^II complexes, such as DNA binding, photocleavage ability, and DNA topoisomerase and RNA polymerase inhibition, six new [Ru(bpy)₂(dppz)]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine; dppz=dipyrido[3,2‐a:2,′,3′‐c]phenazine) analogs have been synthesized and characterized by means of ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Interestingly, the biological properties of these complexes have been identified to be quite different via a series of experimental methods, such as spectral titration, DNA thermal denaturation, viscosity, and gel electrophoresis. To explain the experimental regularity and reveal the underlying mechanism of biological activity, the properties of energy levels and population of frontier molecular orbitals and excited‐state transitions of these complexes have been studied by density‐functional theory (DFT) and time‐depended DFT (TDDFT) calculations. The results suggest that DNA intercalative ligands with better planarity, greater hydrophobicity, and less steric hindrance are beneficial to the DNA intercalation and enzymatic inhibition of their complexes.