Variation of DNA photocleavage efficiency for [(TL)2Ru(dpp)]Cl2 complexes where TL=2,2'-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, or 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline

The complexes [(bpy)₂Ru(dpp)]Cl₂, [(phen)₂Ru(dpp)]Cl₂, and [(Ph₂phen)₂Ru(dpp)]Cl₂ (where dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, Ph₂phen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) have been investigated and found to photocleave DNA via an oxygen-mediated pathway. These light absorbing complexes possess intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions in the visible region of the spectrum. The [(TL)₂Ru(dpp)]²⁺ systems populate ³MLCT states after visible light excitation, giving rise to emissions in aqueous solution centered at 692, 690, and 698 nm for TL = bpy, phen, and Ph₂phen respectively. The ³MLCT states and emissions are quenched by O₂, producing a reactive oxygen species. These complexes photocleave DNA with varying efficiencies, [(Ph₂phen)₂Ru(dpp)]²⁺ > [(phen)₂Ru(dpp)]²⁺ > [(bpy)₂Ru(dpp)]²⁺. The presence of the polyazine bridging ligand will allow these chromophores to be incorporated into larger supramolecular assemblies.     

Meso-[{Ru(phen)2}2(μ-bpm)]: A high-affinity DNA bulge probe {bpm = 2,2′-bipyrimidine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline}

The binding of the stereoisomers of [{Ru(Me₂bpy)₂}₂(μ-bpm)]⁴⁺, [{Ru(phen)₂}₂(μ-bpm)]⁴⁺ and [{Ru(Me₂phen)₂}₂(μ-bpm)]⁴⁺ (Me₂bpy = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine; bpm = 2,2′-bipyrimidine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; Me₂phen = 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) to a tridecanucleotide d(CCGAGAATTCCGG)₂ which contains a single adenine bulge site, and four control dodecanucleotides, have been studied using a fluorescence intercalator displacement (FID) assay. The meso isomer of [{Ru(phen)₂}₂(μ-bpm)]⁴⁺ showed the strongest binding to the bulge-containing tridecanucleotide. In order to gain a greater understanding of the basis of the higher affinity exhibited by the meso isomer towards the bulge sequence, a ¹H NMR study of the binding of the two enantiomers (ΔΔ and ΛΛ) of rac-[{Ru(phen)₂}₂(μ-bpm)]⁴⁺, and the, meso (ΔΛ) diastereoisomer, to the tridecanucleotide d(CCGAGAATTCCGG)₂ was carried out. The NMR results suggest that the meso isomer binds selectively at the bulge site in the tridecanucleotide minor groove, but closer to the 3′-direction and with less structural perturbations of the groove than the ΔΔ and ΛΛ isomers. The results of this study confirm that dinuclear ruthenium complexes have excellent potential as DNA bulge probes, and meso-[{Ru(phen)₂}₂(μ-bpm)]⁴⁺ in particular has a high affinity (1 × 10⁶ M⁻¹) and selectivity for a single adenine bulge site.     

Ruthenium(II) mixed-ligand complexes containing 2-(6-methyl-3-chromonyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline: Synthesis, DNA-binding and photocleavage studies

Two novel Ru(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(MCMIP)]²⁺ (1) and [Ru(phen)₂(MCMIP)]²⁺ (2) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; MCMIP = 2-(6-methyl-3-chromonyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectra and ¹H NMR. The DNA-binding properties of the complexes were investigated by absorption, emission, melting temperature and viscosity measurements. Experimental results indicate that the two complexes can intercalate into DNA base pairs. Upon irradiation at 365 nm, two Ru(II) complexes were found to promote the cleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA from supercoiled form I to nicked form II, and the mechanisms for DNA cleavage by the complexes were also investigated.     

[Ru(phen)2(dppz)] as an efficient optical probe for staining nuclear components

The ‘molecular light switch’ complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(dppz)]²⁺ (1) and [Ru(phen)₂(dppz)]²⁺ (2), where bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine, have been explored as probes for diagnosing and staining nuclear components. The phen complex acts as a better staining agent for nonviable cells than for viable cells and exhibits a staining efficiency in tail region of comet more specific and stronger than the already known dye Hoechst 33258.     

Structural, photophysical and electrochemical studies of [RuN6] complexes having polypyridine and azole mixed-donor sites

The mixed-ligand ruthenium(II) complexes [(phen)₂Ru(pzbzimH₃)](ClO₄)₂·3H₂O (1), [(phen)₂Ru(bzimH)₂](ClO₄)₂·3H₂O (2) and [(bpy)₂Ru(bpybzimH₂)](ClO₄)₂ (3), where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pzbzimH₃ = pyrazole-3,5-bis(benzimidazole), bzimH = benzimidazole and bpybzimH₂ = 6,6′-bis(benzimidazole-2-yl)-2,2′-bipyridine have been synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. The X-ray structures of the three compounds have been determined which show that relative to the polypyridine ligands (phen or bpy) two donor nitrogens of the second ligand occupy cis position. In case of 3, bpybzimH₂ ligand is coordinated in puckered form where its bpy unit acts in a monodentate fashion. The electrochemical properties, absorption and emission spectral characteristics and lifetimes of luminescence decay of the complexes have been compared. Deprotonation of the azole NH moieties of the complexes lead to substantial lowering of redox potentials of the Ru^II/Ru^III couple as well as the MLCT and emission band energies. Spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric titrations of complexes 1 and 3 have been carried out in 3:2 acetonitrile-water as a function of pH over the range 3.5-12.0 and the pK values have been determined. The kinetic parameters for the decay of the ³MLCT excited states of 1 at different pH at 298 K have been evaluated.     

Enhanced DNA photocleavage properties of Ru(II) terpyridine complexes upon incorporation of methylphenyl substituted terpyridine and/or the polyazine bridging ligand dpp (2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine)

The heteroleptic complexes, [(MePhtpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆) and [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆), have been synthesized, characterized, and investigated with respect to their photophysical, redox, and DNA photocleavage properties (where MePhtpy = 4′-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine and dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine). The X-ray crystal structure confirms the identity of the new [(MePhtpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆) complex. These heteroleptic complexes were found to photocleave DNA in the presence of oxygen, unlike the previously studied complex, [Ru(tpy)₂](PF₆)₂. The photophysical, redox, and DNA photocleavage properties of the heteroleptic complexes were compared with those of the homoleptic complexes, [Ru(MePhtpy)₂](PF₆)₂ and [Ru(tpy)₂](PF₆)₂. The heteroleptic complexes showed intense metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition at lower energy ([(MePhtpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆), 522 nm; [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆), 516 nm) and longer excited state lifetimes as compared to the homoleptic complexes. The [Ru(MePhtpy)₂]²⁺ complex was found to photocleave DNA in contrast to [Ru(tpy)₂]²⁺. The introduction of a methylphenyl group on the tepyridine ligand not only enhances the ³MLCT excited state lifetime but also increases the lipophilicity and thereby the DNA binding ability of the molecule. An increase in lipophilicity upon addition of a methylphenyl group on the 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ligand was confirmed by determination of the partition coefficient ([(MePhtpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆), log P = +1.16; [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆), log P = −1.27). The heteroleptic complexes photocleave DNA more efficiently than the homoleptic complexes, with the greatest activity being observed for the newly prepared [(MePhtpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆) complex.     

Mixed ligand ruthenium(II) complexes of 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline: The role of ligand hydrophobicity on DNA binding of the complexes

A series of mixed ligand Ru(II) complexes of 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-dmp) as primary ligand and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), pyridine (py) and NH₃ as co-ligands have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis and ¹H NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex [Ru(phen)₂(bpy)]Cl₂ reveals a distorted octahedral coordination geometry for the RuN₆ coordination sphere. The DNA binding constants obtained from the absorption spectral titrations decrease in the order, tris(5,6-dmp)Ru(II) > bis(5,6-dmp)Ru(II) > mono(5,6-dmp)Ru(II), which is consistent with the trend in apparent emission enhancement of the complexes on binding to DNA. These observations reveal that the DNA binding affinity of the complexes depend upon the number of 5,6-dmp ligands and hence the hydrophobic interaction of 5,6-dimethyl groups on the DNA surface, which is critical in determining the DNA binding affinity and the solvent accessibility of the exciplex. Among the bis(5,6-dmp)Ru(II) complexes, those with monodentate py (4) or NH₃ (5) co-ligands show DNA binding affinities slightly higher than the bpy and phen analogues. This reveals that they interact with DNA through the co-ligands while both the 5,6-dmp ligands interact with the exterior of the DNA surface. All these observations are supported by thermal denaturation and viscosity measurements. Two DNA binding modes - surface/electrostatic and strong hydrophobic/partial intercalative DNA interaction - are suggested for the mixed ligand complexes on the basis of time-resolved emission measurements. Interestingly, the 5,6-dmp ligands promote aggregation of the complexes on the DNA helix as a helical nanotemplate, as evidenced by induced CD signals in the UV region. The ionic strength variation experiments and competitive DNA binding studies on bis(5,6-dmp)Ru(II) complexes reveal that EthBr and the partially intercalated and kinetically inert [Ru(phen)₂(dppz)]²⁺ (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) complexes revert the CD signals induced by exciton coupling of the DNA-bound complexes with the free complexes in solution.     

A theoretical study of Ru(II) polypyridyl DNA intercalators: Structure and electronic absorption spectroscopy of [Ru(phen)2(dppz)] and [Ru(tap)2(dppz)] complexes intercalated in guanine-cytosine base pairs

The structural and spectroscopic properties of [Ru(phen)₂(dppz)]²⁺ and [Ru(tap)₂(dppz)]²⁺ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; tap = 1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene; dppz = dipyridophenazine ) have been investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT), time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) within the polarized continuum model (IEF-PCM) and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations. The model of the Δ and Λ enantiomers of Ru(II) intercalated in DNA in the minor and major grooves is limited to the metal complexes intercalated in two guanine-cytosine base pairs. The main experimental spectral features of these complexes reported in DNA or synthetic polynucleotides are better reproduced by the theoretical absorption spectra of the Δ enantiomers regardless of intercalation mode (major or minor groove). This is especially true for [Ru(phen)₂(dppz)]²⁺. The visible absorption of [Ru(tap)₂(dppz)]²⁺ is governed by the MLCT_tap transitions regardless of the environment (water, acetonitrile or bases pair), the visible absorption of [Ru(phen)₂(dppz)]²⁺ is characterized by transitions to metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer MLCT_dppz in water and acetonitrile and to MLCT_phen when intercalated in DNA. The response of the IL_dppz state to the environment is very sensitive. In vacuum, water and acetonitrile these transitions are characterized by significant oscillator strengths and their positions depend significantly on the medium with blue shifts of about 80 nm when going from vacuum to solvent. When the complex is intercalated in the guanine-cytosine base pairs the ¹IL_dppz transition contributes mainly to the band at 370 nm observed in the spectrum of [Ru(phen)₂(dppz)]²⁺ and to the band at 362 nm observed in the spectrum of [Ru(tap)₂(dppz)]²⁺.     

Synthesis and near IR photoluminescence of Os(II) bis(2,2′-bipyridine) (3,8-diarylethynyl-1,10-phenanthroline) complexes: anomalous behavior in the 3,8-dinitrophenylethynyl-substituted homologue

A large bathochromic shift (?50 nm) and emission in the near infrared is observed by attaching arylethynyl groups at the 3,8-positions of the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand (phen) of [Os(bipy)₂(phen)]²⁺ (where bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine). Thus [Os(bipy)₂(3,8-di-4-methoxyphenylethynyl-1,10-phenathroline)]²⁺ emits at 795 nm, while [Os(bipy)₂(3,8-diphenylethynyl-1,10-phenanthroline)]²⁺ emits at 815 nm. According to this trend it would have been expected that [Os(bipy)₂(3,8-di-4-nitrophenylethynyl-1,10-phenathroline)]²⁺ emits farther in the near infrared. Nevertheless, this complex is not photoluminescent because of intramolecular electron transfer quenching of the MLCT excited state by the nitroaromatic group. These results set structural and redox potential standards in the design of near infrared emitters based on [Os(bipy)₂(phen)]²⁺ type complexes.     

Syntheses, characterization, and DFT investigation of new mononuclear acetonitrile- and chloro-ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes

A series of mononuclear acetonitrile complexes of the type [Ru(CH₃CN)(L)(terpy)]²⁺ {L = phen (1), dpbpy (3), and bpm (5)}, and their reference complexes [RuCl(L)(terpy)]⁺ {L = phen (2), dpbpy (4), and dpphen (6)} were prepared and characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammograms (CV). Abbreviations of the ligands (Ls) are phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dpbpy = 4,4′-diphenyl-2,2′-bipyridine, bpm = 2,2′-bipyrimidine, dpphen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, and terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine. The X-ray structures of the two complexes 2 and 3 were newly obtained. The metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) bands in the visible region for 1, 3, and 5 in acetonitrile were blue shifted relative to those of the reference complexes [RuCl(L)(terpy)]⁺. CV for all the [Ru(CH₃CN)(L)(terpy)]²⁺ complexes showed the first oxidation wave at around 0.95 V, being more positive than those of [RuCl(L)(terpy)]⁺. The time-dependent-density-functional-theory approach (TDDFT) was used to interpret the absorption spectra of 1 and 2. Good agreement between computed and experimental absorption spectra was obtained. The DFT approach also revealed the orbital interactions between Ru(phen)(terpy) and CH₃CN or Cl⁻. It is demonstrated that the HOMO-LUMO energy gap of the acetonitrile ligand is larger than that of the Cl⁻ one.     

Mixed-ligand complexes of ruthenium(II) containing new photoactive or electroactive ligands: synthesis, spectral characterization and DNA interactions

Mixed-ligand ruthenium(II) complexes of three photoactive ligands, viz., (E)-1-[2-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-4-pyridyl]-2-(1-naphthyl)-1-ethene (mppne), (E)-1-(9-anthryl)-2-[2-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-4-pyridyl]-1-ethene (mppae) and (E)-1-[2-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-4-pyridyl]-2-(1-pyrenyl)-1-ethene (mpppe), in which a 2,2′-bipyridyl unit is linked via an ethylinic linkage to either a naphthalene, an anthracene or a pyrene chromophore and three electroactive ligands, viz., 4-(4-pyridyl)-1,2-benzenediol (catpy), 5,6-dihydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline (catphen) and 1,2-benzenediol (cat), were synthesized in good to moderate yields. Complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(mppne)]²⁺ (bpy is 2, 2′–bipyridyl), [Ru(bpy)₂(mppae)]²⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(mpppe)]²⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(sq-py)]⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(sq-phen)]⁺ and [Ru(phen)₂(bsq)]⁺ (phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, fast-atom bombardment or electron-impact mass, UV–vis and cyclic voltammetric methods. In the latter three complexes, the ligands catpy, catphen and cat are actually bound to the metal center as the corresponding semiquinone species, viz., 4-(4-pyridyl)-1,2-benzenedioleto(+I) (sq-py), 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dioleto(+I) (sq-phen) and 1,2-benzenedioleto(+I) (bsq), thus making the overall charge of the complexes formally equal to + 1 in each case. These three complexes are electron paramagnetic resonance active and exhibit an intense absorption band between 941 and 958 nm owing to metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT, d _Ru→π*_sq) transitions. The other three ruthenium(II) complexes containing three photoactive ligands, mppne, mppae and mpppe, exhibit MLCT (d _Ru→π*_bpy ) bands in the 454–461-nm region and are diamagnetic. These can be characterized by the ¹H NMR method. [Ru(bpy)₂(mppne)]²⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(mppae)]²⁺ and [Ru(bpy)₂(mpppe)]²⁺ exhibit redox waves corresponding to the Ru^III/Ru^II couple along with the expected ligand (bpy and substituted bpy) based ones in their cyclic and differential pulse voltammograms (CH₃CN, 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate)—corresponding voltammograms of [Ru(bpy)₂(sq-py)]⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(sq-phen)]⁺ and [Ru(phen)₂(bsq)]⁺ are mainly characterized by waves corresponding to the quinone/semiquinone (q/sq) and semiquinone/1,2-diol (sq/cat) redox processes. The results of absorption and fluorescence titration as well as thermal denaturation studies reveal that [Ru(bpy)₂(mppne)]²⁺ and [Ru(bpy)₂(mppae)]²⁺ are moderate-to-strong binders of calf thymus DNA with binding constants ranging from 10⁵ to 10⁶ M⁻¹. Under the identical conditions of drug and light dose, the DNA (supercoiled pBR 322) photocleavage activities of these two complexes follow the order:[Ru(bpy)₂(mppne)]²⁺>[Ru(bpy)₂(mppae)]²⁺, although the emission quantum yields follow the reverse order. The other ruthenium(II) complexes containing the semiquinone-based ligands are found to be nonluminescent and inefficient photocleavage agents of DNA. However, experiments shows that [Ru(bpy)₂(sq)]⁺-based complexes oxidize the sugar unit and could be used as mild oxidants for the sugar moiety of DNA. Possible explanations for these observations are presented.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at .     

Synthesis, double stranded DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of a functionalized ruthenium(II) complex with 7,7′-methylenedioxyphenyldipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]-phenazine

A new Ru(II) complex [Ru(phen)₂(mdpz)]²⁺ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, mdpz = 7,7′-methylenedioxyphenyl-dipyrido-[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) has been synthesized and characterized in detail by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The interaction of the complex with calf thymus DNA was investigated by spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that the complex binds to DNA via an intercalative mode and serves as a molecular “light switch” for DNA. Moreover, the complex has been found to promote the photocleavage of plasmid DNA pBR322 under irradiation at 365 nm. The mechanism studies reveal that singlet oxygen (¹O₂) plays a significant role in the photocleavage.     

Synthesis, structure, DNA binding and photocleavage activity of a ruthenium(II) complex with 11-(9-acridinyl)dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine ligand

In our search for new DNA intercalating ligands, a novel bifunctional intercalator 11-(9-acridinyl)dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine, acdppz (has two potentially effective intercalators via dipyridophenazine(dppz) and acridine which are linked together via C-C bond) and its corresponding Ru(II) polypyridyl complex [Ru(phen)₂(acdppz)]²⁺ (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized. The electrochemical behaviors of the ligand and its complex have been thoroughly examined. The structure of acdppz and [Ru(phen)₂(acdppz)]²⁺ were determined by X-ray crystallography. From the crystal structure of the complex, we found that the dppz moiety is not coplanar with the acridine ring, having a dihedral angle of 64.79 in the acdppz. The selected bond lengths and angles for the crystal structure of [Ru(phen)₂(acdppz)]²⁺ were compared to the geometry-optimized molecular structure of [Ru(phen)₂(acdppz)]²⁺ derived by Gaussian. The interaction of [Ru(phen)₂(acdppz)]²⁺ with calf-thymus (CT) DNA was investigated by absorption and viscometry titration, thermal denaturation studies. The above measurements indicated that the complex binds less strongly with the CT DNA due to the intercalation by the ruthenium bound acdppz with an intrinsic binding constant of 2.6 × 10⁵ M⁻¹. Molecular-modeling studies also support an intercalative mode of binding of the complex to the model duplex d(CGCAATTGCG)₂ possibly from the major groove with a slight preference for GC rich region. Additionally, the title complex promotes the cleavage of plasmid pBR322 DNA upon irradiation under aerobic conditions.     

Effect of ancillary ligands on the photophysical properties of Ru(II) complexes bearing a highly conjugated diimine ligand: A density functional theory study

Two bis-heteroleptic Ru(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(pcip)]²⁺ (1, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pcip = 2-[4-phenylcarboxy]-1H-imidazol[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) and [Ru(phen)₂(pcip)]²⁺ (2, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), bearing highly conjugated diimine ligands, were prepared and isolated as their PF₆ salts. The bpy-derivative 1 showed better photophysical properties (emission quantum yield, lifetime of the emitting state, and the radiative decay rate constant) than the phen-compound 2. These results followed by theoretical calculations at DFT level established a comprehensive understanding between the structural parameters and the photophysical properties, as well as of the influence of π conjugation and the symmetry of the molecules on spectroscopic characteristics. These results provide fundamental photophysical data for selecting ancillary ligands in the design and improvement of Ru-based light-harvesting complexes.     

Origin of electronic absorption spectra of MLCT-excited and one-electron reduced 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline complexes

UV-Vis absorption spectra of one-electron reduction products and ³MLCT excited states of [Re^ICl(CO)₃(N,N)] (N,N = 2,2′-bipyridine, bpy; 1,10-phenanthroline, phen) have been measured by low-temperature spectroelectrochemistry and UV-Vis transient absorption spectroscopy, respectively, and assigned by open-shell TD-DFT calculations. The characters of the electronic transitions are visualized and analyzed using electron density redistribution maps. It follows that reduced and excited states can be approximately formulated as [Re^ICl(CO)₃(N,N⁻)]⁻ and ^∗[Re^IICl(CO)₃(N,N⁻)], respectively. UV-Vis spectra of the reduced complexes are dominated by IL transitions, plus weaker MLCT contributions. Excited-state spectra show an intense band in the UV region of ∼50% IL origin mixed with LMCT (bpy, 373 nm) or MLCT (phen, 307 nm) excitations. Because of the significant IL contribution, this spectral feature is akin to the principal IL band of the anions. In contrast, the excited-state visible spectral pattern arises from predominantly LMCT transitions, any resemblance with the reduced-state visible spectra being coincidental. The Re complexes studied herein are representatives of a broad class of metal α-diimines, for which similar spectroscopic behavior can be expected.     

Interactions of mixed ligand ruthenium(II) complexes containing an amino acid and 1,10-phenanthroline with DNA

Mixed ligand ruthenium(II) complexes containing an amino acid (AA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), i.e. [Ru(AA)(phen)₂]ⁿ⁺ (n=1,2, AA=glycine (gly), l-alanine (l-ala), l-arginine (l-arg)) have been synthesized. The interactions of these complexes and [Ru(phen)₃]²⁺ with DNA have been examined by absorption, luminescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopic methods. Absorption spectral properties revealed that [Ru(AA)(phen)₂]⁺ (AA=gly, l-ala) interacted with CT-DNA by the electrostatic binding mode. [Ru(l-arg)(phen)₂]²⁺ exhibited the greatest hypochromicity, red shift, and binding constant, indicating that this complex may partially intercalate into the base-pairs of DNA. These results were also suggested by luminescence spectroscopy. CD spectral properties have been examined to understand the detailed interactions of the ruthenium(II) complexes with artificial DNA. In the case of Δ-[Ru(l-arg)(phen)₂]²⁺, the solution on adding [poly(dG-dC)]₂ exhibited two well-defined positive peaks, which the shorter and longer wavelength peaks were assigned as originating from the major and the minor groove binding modes, respectively. Then, the solution on adding [poly(dA-dT)]₂ exhibited only one positive peak, which was assigned as a peak corresponding to the minor groove binding mode.     

A [4+2] mixed ligand approach to ruthenium DNA metallointercalators [Ru(tpa)(N–N)](PF6)2 using a tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (tpa) capping ligand

A series of five tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (tpa) ruthenium complexes [Ru(tpa)(N–N)](PF₆)₂ with N–N = bpy (2,2′-bipyridine), phen (1,10-phenanthroline), dpq (dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline), dppz (dipyrido[3,2-a;2′,3′-c]phenazine), and dppn (4,5,9,16-tetraazadibenzo[a,c]naphthacene) was prepared and characterized by NMR, UV–Visible (UV/Vis), and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry. Structures optimized with density functional theory methods (DFT, BP86, TZVP) without constraints show C₁ symmetry while in solution, the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra are in accordance with an average C_s symmetry. This is thought to be due to a low energy barrier for flipping of the equatorial pyridine ring from one side of the N–N plane to the other. The electronic structure of the compounds was studied with DFT and a change in the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) character from Ru t_2g for the bpy, phen, and dpq to N–N ligand-based for the dppz and dppn complexes was found. TDDFT calculations showed dominant N–N-based intra-ligand charge transfer (ILCT) transitions in the latter two complexes mixed with metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) bands found for all five compounds. DNA binding of the complexes was studied with UV/Vis titrations, the fluorescent ethidium bromide displacement assay, and CD spectroscopy. The affinity increases with the aromatic surface area of of the bidentate N–N ligand in the order bpy  phen < dpq < dppz  dppn. Viscosity measurements support an intercalative binding mode for the latter three compounds, while the others did not show a pronounced effect of the hydrodynamic properties of calf thymus (CT) DNA.     

Synthesis, DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)2(mitatp)] and [Ru(bpy)2(nitatp)]

Two new ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(mitatp)](ClO₄)₂1 and [Ru(bpy)₂(nitatp)](ClO₄)₂2 (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, mitatp = 5-methoxy-isatino[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene, nitatp = 5-nitro-isatino[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, mass spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Spectroscopic and viscosity measurements proved that the two Ru(II) complexes intercalate DNA with larger binding constants than that of [Ru(bpy)₂(dppz)]²⁺ (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) and possess the excited lifetime of microsecond scale upon binding to DNA. Both complexes can efficiently photocleave pBR322 DNA in vitro under irradiation. Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) was proved to contribute to the DNA photocleavage process, the ¹O₂ quantum yields was determined to be 0.43 and 0.36 for 1 and 2, respectively. Moreover, a photoinduced electron transfer mechanism was also found to be involved in the DNA cleavage process.     

Synthesis, characterization and biological properties of cobalt(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline and maltol

The synthesis and characterization of two cobalt(II) complexes, Co(phen)(ma)Cl 1 and Co(ma)₂(phen) 2, (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, ma⁻ = maltolate or 2-methyl-4-oxo-4H-pyran-3-olate) are reported herein. The complexes have been characterized by FTIR, CHN analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, conductivity measurement and X-ray crystallography. The number of chelated maltolate ligands seems to influence their DNA recognition, topoisomerase I inhibition and antiproliferative properties.     

Palladium(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline: Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure determination

Two palladium(II) complexes, [Pd(phen)(NCCH₃)₂][O₃SCF₃]₂ (1) and [Pd(phen)(μ-OH)]₂[O₃SCF₃]₂ · 2H₂O (2) (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been crystallized following the reaction of Pd(phen)Cl₂ with silver triflate, Ag(O₃SCF₃), in acetonitrile and water, respectively. The structures of both complexes are based on a Pd(phen)²⁺ metal core, with two acetonitrile molecules binding in a monodentate fashion in complex 1 and two hydroxo bridges holding together two cores to form a dimer in complex 2. Additionally, both complexes present a hydrogen bonded 3-D network involving the triflate anions in 1, and water and triflate anions in 2. Both complexes have been characterized by infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and their crystal structures determined by X-ray crystallography.