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.     

Human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA interactions of N-phenanthroline glycosylamine copper(II) complexes

We report in this article the interactions of five N-(1,10-phenanthrolin-5-yl)-β-glycopyranosylamine copper(II) complexes with G-quadruplex DNA. Specifically, the interactions of these compounds with a human telomeric oligonucleotide have been assessed by fluorescence-based assays (FRET melting and G4-FID), circular dichroism and competitive equilibrium dialysis experiments. The metal complexes bind and stabilize G-quadruplex DNA structures with apparent association constants in the order of 10⁴–10⁵ M⁻¹ and the affinity observed is dependent on the ionic conditions utilized and the specific nature of the carbohydrate moiety tethered to the 1,10-phenanthroline system. The compounds showed only a slight preference to bind G-quadruplex DNA over duplex DNA when the quadruplex DNA was folded in sodium ionic conditions. However, the binding affinity and selectivity, although modest, were notably increased when the G-quadruplex DNA was folded in the presence of potassium metal ions. Moreover, the study points towards a significant contribution of groove and/or loop binding in the recognition mode of quadruplex structures by these non-classical quadruplex ligands. The results reported herein highlight the potential and the versatility of carbohydrate bis-phenanthroline metal-complex conjugates to recognize G-quadruplex DNA structures.     

DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of mixed polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes with calf thymus DNA

New mixed polypyridyl {NMIP = 2′-(2″-nitro-3″,4″-methylenedioxyphenyl)imidazo-[4′,5′-f][1,10]-phenanthroline, dmb = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine} ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(dmb)₂(NMIP)]²⁺ (1) and [Ru(bpy)₂(NMIP)]²⁺ (2) have been synthesized and characterized. The binding of these complexes to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated with spectroscopic methods, viscosity and electrophoresis measurements. The experimental results indicate that both complexes could bind to DNA via partial intercalation from the minor/major groove. In addition, both complexes have been found to promote the single-stranded cleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA upon irradiation. Under comparable experimental conditions compared with [Ru(phen)₂(NMIP)]²⁺, during the course of the dialysis at intervals of time, the CD signals of both complexes started from none, increased to the maximum magnitude, then no longer changed, and the activity of effective DNA cleavage dependence upon concentration degree lies in the following order: [Ru(phen)₂NMIP]²⁺ > complex 2 > complex 1.     

Iron release from transferrin induced by mixed ligand complexes of copper(II)

Summary Copper(II) complexes CuL₁L₂ with the ligand pairs 3-phosphoglycerate (PG)/ethylenediamine (en), phosphoserine (PS)/ethylenediamine, phosphoserine/malonate (mal) are shown to be effective in inducing the release of both iron atoms from di-ferric transferrin (Fe2Tf; human serum transferrin) at pH 7.3 in 1 M NaCl at 25°C. Half-times of the reaction with Cu(PG)(en)^– were less than 1 min at 0.02 M concentration. The iron(III) products are polynuclear hydroxo complexes. There is weaker interaction with Cu(PS) ₂ ^4– and virtually none with Cu(serine)(en) nor Cu(PS)(2,2-bipyridyl)^–, revealing crucial effects of the combined ligand sphere including the phosphomonoester group. The results suggest that the release of iron from Fe2Tf, or from either monoferric transferrins, occurred due to the breakdown of the stability of iron binding in conjunction with the expulsion of the synergistic anion carbonate (or oxalate). The active copper(II) complexes are postulated to be models of membrane components that could liberate iron from transferrin succeeding its uptake at the receptor sites of cells.Abbreviations PG phosphoglycerate - PS phosphoserine - en ethylenediamine - Fe2Tf diferric transferrin - Fe_cTf and Fe_NTf transferrin with iron bound to the lobe containing the C- or N-terminus, respectively - apoTf apotransferrin - K-3 all-cis-1,3,5-tris(trimethylammonio)-2,4,6-cyclo-hexanetriol - NTA nitrilotriacetic acid; bipy, 2,2-bipyridine; mal, malonate     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic ethylene oligomerization of nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with symmetrical and unsymmetrical 2,9-diaryl-1,10-phenanthroline ligands

A series of nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes, NiX₂L (X = Cl, Br; 1-6) and CoCl₂L (7-9), with 2,9-diaryl-1,10-phenanthroline ligands (L¹-L³) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystal structural study (for 1, 4-7, 9). The solid-state structures of 1, 5-7 and 9 show four-coordinate, slightly flattened tetrahedral geometry at the Ni(II) or Co(II) center, while 4 is five-coordinated (square-pyramidal), containing a THF molecule as an auxiliary ligand. The title complexes (1-9) display good catalytic activities in ethylene oligomerization when activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO). While the Co(II) precatalysts produce primarily C₄ isomers, the Ni(II) complexes give ethylene dimers and trimers at normal pressure. The activities and yields of linear α-olefins increase with increasing ethylene pressure for the Ni(II) complexes, leading to more high-molar-mass products (C₈-C₁₈). Complex 6 displays the best catalytic activity among the complexes studied (up to 1518 kg/mol[Ni] h at 10 atm).     

Reduced amino acid Schiff base containing ruthenium(III) complexes: Synthesis,characterization, DNA interaction,and in vitro cytotoxicity

A number of reduced amino Schiff base ligands and corresponding ruthenium(III) complexes were designed and prepared based on the fact that amino acids not only possess multiple coordinate atoms but also improve the solubility of drugs in the body. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA was analyzed with spectroscopic methods of ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectra, DNA competitive binding with ethidium bromide, circular dichroism spectra, and DNA melting experiments, and DNA viscosity measurements, indicating that the complexes bind to DNA primarily in the grooving mode. With respect to the ligands, the cytotoxicity in vitro of the complexes against Hela, A549, and MCF‐7 cells was much enhanced, with most of the IC₅₀ values less than 50 μM or even comparable with those of cisplatin.     

A new polymorph of dichlorido(1,10-phenanthroline)platinum(II)

A yet unreported polymorph of [PtCl₂(1,10-phenanthroline)] was obtained by slow decomposition, in CH₂Cl₂ solution, of [Pt{CH₂CH₂N(CH₂CH₃)₂-κC,κN}(1,10-phenanthroline)](ClO₄). The structure of the new orthorhombic form, III, (space group Pna2₁), is described and compared to those of the two already reported forms, I and II, which are monoclinic (space group P2₁/c) and orthorhombic (space group Pca2₁), respectively [21]. Polymorph III appears to be the least stable of the three.     

Ru(II) complexes with new redox-active 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives: structural, spectral, and electrochemical investigations

New 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives bearing diarylamino and heteroaromatic moieties in the 3,8-position have been prepared by a palladium-catalyzed C-N bond formation reaction. Formation of Ru(II) complexes with the chelating ligands and their photophysical and electrochemical redox properties have been examined.     

Enantioselective DNA binding of iron(II) complexes of methyl-substituted phenanthroline

The enantioselective binding of [Fe(4,7-dmp)₃]²⁺ (dmp: 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenantroline) and [Fe(3,4,7,8-tmp)₃]²⁺ (tmp: 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) to calf-thymus DNA (ct-DNA) has been systematically studied by monitoring the circular dichroism (CD) spectral profile of the iron(II) complexes in the absence and presence of ct-DNA. The effect of salt concentration and temperature on the degree of enantioselectivity of the ct-DNA binding of the iron(II) complexes, i.e. the molar ratio of Δ- to Λ-enantiomer in the solution or vice versa has been rigorously evaluated. It is noticeable that Δ-[Fe(4,7-dmp)₃]²⁺ and Λ-[Fe(3,4,7,8-tmp)₃]²⁺ are preferentially bound to ct-DNA as reflected in their opposite CD spectral profiles. The preferential binding of the Λ-enantiomer of [Fe(3,4,7,8-tmp)₃]²⁺ to ct-DNA compared to that of the Δ-enantiomer is associated with the bulkiness of the ancillary ligands due to substitution of four hydrogen atoms in 1,10-phenanthroline for four methyl groups. The determination of enantiomeric inversion constant (K_inv) at various salt concentrations has revealed that the degree of enantioselectivity is salt concentration dependent, indicating that electrostatic interaction is involved in the enantioselective binding of the iron(II) complexes to ct-DNA. Although [Fe(4,7-dmp)₃]²⁺ and [Fe(3,4,7,8-tmp)₃]²⁺ exhibit an opposite pattern in the CD spectra, the degree of their enantioselectivity (K_inv) is not different from each other significantly. A thermodynamic study on the enantioselective binding of [Fe(4,7-dmp)₃]²⁺ to ct-DNA using the van’t Hoff plot of ln K_inv versus 1/T has demonstrated that the enthalpy change (ΔH°) in the inversion process from the Λ- to Δ-enantiomer of [Fe(4,7-dmp)₃]²⁺ ct-DNA is positive, indicating that the process is endothermic and thus entropically driven.     

Assembly of two novel cadmium(II) supramolecular architectures constructed from pyridine-functionalized 1,10-phenanthroline ligand

Two novel cadmium(II) coordination polymers [Cd(pyip)(ox)]·H₂O (1) and [Cd₂(pyip)₂(ox)₂·(H₂O)][Cd(pyip)(ox)]·4(H₂O) (2) (pyip = 2-(pyridin-3-yl-1H-imidazo [4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, H₂ox = oxalic acid), have been hydrothermal synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is 1D zigzag chain, in which oxalate anion as bridging ligand is responsible for the formation of the main framework and pyip as chelating ligand grafts on two sides of the zigzag chain. Compound 2 contains two kinds of independent polymers [Cd₂(pyip)₂(ox)₂(H₂O)] (A) and [Cd(pyip)(ox)] (B) to form an interdigitated 1D + 1D structure, in which polymers A and B are paratactically assembled in an ABCD sequence. The fundamental unit of polymer B in 2 is the same as that in 1. For compounds 1-2, weak interactions, primarily hydrogen bonding and π?π stacking interactions, have greatly influence on the supramolecular motifs recognized in the crystal packing. Especially, the oxalate anions as bridging ligand simultaneously adopt multiform coordination modes in two compounds. In addition, 1 and 2 displayed a strong fluorescent emission in the solid state at room temperature.     

DNA photocleavage activity of cobalt(III) polypyridyl complexes containing dpq ligand

Four cobalt(III) polypyridyl complexes, [Co(phen)_3−n(dpq)_n]³⁺ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dpq = dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]-quinoxaline) (n = 0, 1, 2, and 3) were synthesized and the influences of the dpq ligand on the photophysical properties, electrochemical properties, DNA binding affinities, as well as photonuclease activities of the complexes, were examined in detail. The presence of dpq ligand increases the DNA binding affinities of the corresponding complexes remarkably with respect to [Co(phen)₃]³⁺. With the sequential substitution of phen ligand by dpq ligand, the ¹O₂ quantum yields of the corresponding complexes are enhanced greatly. As a result, the photonuclease activities follow the order of [Co(dpq)₃]³⁺ > [Co(phen)(dpq)₂]³⁺ > [Co(phen)₂(dpq)]³⁺ ? [Co(phen)₃]³⁺. It was found all the examined complexes can generate OH upon UV irradiation, and OH is also involved in DNA photocleavage as reactive oxygen species.     

Bis-chelated-arylazoimidazole-1,10-phenanthroline-osmium(II) complexes. Structure, spectra and electrochemistry

[Os(phen)(RaaiR′)₂](PF₆)₂ [phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, RaaiR′ = 1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole, p-R-C₆H₄-NN-C₃H₂-NN-1-R′, where R = H (a), Me (b), Cl (c) and R′ = Me (2), Et (3), CH₂Ph (4) have been synthesized from the reaction of cis-trans-cis-[OsBr₂(RaaiR′)₂] with phen in the presence of aqueous AgNO₃ in ethanol. The structure of [Os(phen)(ClaaiEt)₂](PF₆)₂ was confirmed by X-ray diffraction study. Electronic spectra exhibit a strong MLCT band at 490-512 nm along with weak transition at longer wavelength 865-880 nm. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes shows two metal redox couples, Os(III)/Os(II) at 0.9-1.0 V and Os(IV)/Os(III) at 1.4-1.6 V versus SCE, and three successive ligand reductions. The EHMO calculation using crystallographic parameters of the complex has been compared with analogous Ru and Os complexes. A correlation between electronic properties and MO results is also reported.     

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.     

Synthesis and characterization of Pt(II) and Pt(II)/Ru(II) complexes with the bidentate bridging ligand dipyrido(2,3-a:3′,2′-h)phenazine (dpop)

Three new complexes [Pt(dpop)(Cl)₂], [(Cl)₂Pt(dpop)Pt(Cl)₂] and [(bpy)₂Ru(dpop)Pt(Cl)₂](PF₆)₂ (dpop = dipyrido(2,3-a:3′,2′-h)phenazine) were prepared and studied. The electronic absorption spectra of the complexes display Pt dπ → dpop π* and Ru dπ → dpop π* MLCT transitions at longer wavelengths than for previously reported similar complexes. Results of cyclic voltammograms show reversible dpop centered reductions while for the mixed metal [(bpy)₂Ru(dpop)Pt(Cl)₂]²⁺ an irreversible Pt(II) oxidative wave precedes the Ru(II) oxidation/reduction couple. Spectroelectrochemical results show that all oxidative and reductive processes are completely reversible. The [(Cl)₂Pt(dpop)Pt(Cl)₂] complex cleaves in solution with pseudo-first order kinetics resulting in loss of the Pt dπ → dpop π* MLCT transition at 545 nm.     

DNA interaction of new copper(II) complexes with sulfonamides as ligands

New copper(II) complexes with sulfonamide ligands have been prepared and characterized. Sulfonamide ligands were prepared through a reaction between 8-aminoquinoline and either 2-mesitylene (Hqmesa), 4-tert-butylbenzene (Hqtbsa), or alpha-toluene (Halphaqtsa) sulfonyl chlorides. The structural analysis carried out for complex [Cu(alphaqtsa)(2)] indicated that the local environment of the Cu(II) cation is between a square planar and a tetrahedral geometry, with stacking of the benzene rings of the sulfonyl ligands between neighbor molecules. Powder EPR spectra at room temperature gave rhombic spectra for the [Cu(alphaqtsa)(2)] and [Cu(qmesa)(2)] complexes and an axial spectrum for the [Cu(qtbsa)(2)] complex, probably due to the steric hindrance of the methyl groups. Complexes [Cu(alphaqtsa)(2)] and [Cu(qmesa)(2)] are artificial chemical nucleases that degrade DNA in the presence of sodium ascorbate. A study of the radical scavengers revealed that the ROS (reactive oxygen species) involved in the DNA damage were hydroxyl, singlet oxygen-like species, and superoxide anion.     

Chiral diruthenium(II) complexes containing a modified 4,4-bipyridine bridging ligand: syntheses, characterization and DNA binding

A pair of novel chiral dimeric ruthenium(II) complexes [ΔΔ-, ΛΛ-Ru(bpy)₂(btpb)Ru(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ (1; btpb=2,2^′-bis(1,2,4-triazino[5,6-f]phenanthren-3-yl)-4,4^′-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by electrospray mass spectra, ¹H NMR, UV-Vis and circular dichroism spectra. Binding behaviors of the complexes with calf thymus DNA have been investigated by absorption spectra and viscosity measurements. The electronic absorption spectrum of ΔΔ-1 at 505.5 nm exhibits hypochromism of about 8.4% and bathochromism of 2.5 nm; ΛΛ-1 at 500.0 nm exhibits hypochromism of about 9.1% and bathochromism of 4.5 nm, respectively. The experiments suggest that ΔΔ-1 and ΛΛ-1 may be bound to DNA by non-intercalating binder.     

Study on Interaction of DNA from Calf Thymus with 1,10-phenanthrolinehexyldithiocarbamatopalladium(II) nitrate as Potential Antitumor Agent

Abstract

A novel palladium(II) complex has been synthesized with hexyldithiocarbamate (Hex-dtc) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) by the reaction of [Pd(phen)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ with sodium salt of hexyldithiocarbamate and a complex of type [Pd(Hex-dtc) (phen)]NO₃ has been obtained. The complex has been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, ¹H NMR, IR and electronic spectroscopic studies. The dithiocarbamate ligand acts in bidentate fashion. This water-soluble complex was screened against chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562, for cytotoxic effects and showed significant antitumor activity much lower than that of cisplatin. The interaction of this complex with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) was extensively investigated by a variety of spectroscopic techniques. Absorbance titration experiments imply the interaction of 4 Pd(II) complex molecules per 1000 nucleotides on DNA with positive cooperativity in the binding process and the complex denature the DNA at very low concentration (～14.3 μM). Fluorescence titration spectra and fluorescence Scatchard plots suggest that the Pd(II) complex intercalate in DNA. The gel chromatograms obtained from Sephadex G-25 column experiments showed that the binding of metal complex with DNA is so strong that it does not readily break. Furthermore, some thermodynamic and binding parameters found in the process of UV-Visible studies are described. They may provide specificity of the compound with ctDNA.     

Structural and equilibrium studies on mixed ligand complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with N-(2-benzimidazolyl)methyliminodiacetic acid and typical N, N donor ligands

Mixed ligand complexes: [Co(L)(bipy)] · 3H₂O (1), [Ni(L)(phen)] · H₂O (2), [Cu(L)(phen)] · 3H₂O (3) and [Zn(L)(bipy)] · 3H₂O (4), where L²⁻ = two -COOH deprotonated dianion of N-(2-benzimidazolyl)methyliminodiacetic acid (H₂bzimida, hereafter, H₂L), bipy = 2,2′ bipyridine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral and magnetic measurements and thermal studies. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies show octahedral geometry for 1, 2 and 4 and square pyramidal geometry for 3. Equilibrium studies in aqueous solution (ionic strength I = 10⁻¹ mol dm⁻³ (NaNO₃), at 25 ± 1 °C) using different molar proportions of M(II):H₂L:B, where M = Co, Ni, Cu and Zn and B = phen, bipy and en (ethylene diamine), however, provides evidence of formation of mononuclear and binuclear binary and mixed ligand complexes: M(L), M(H₋₁L)⁻, M(B)²⁺, M(L)(B), M(H₋₁L)(B)⁻, M₂(H₋₁L)(OH), (B)M(H₋₁L)M(B)⁺, where H₋₁L³⁻ represents two -COOH and the benzimidazole N₁-H deprotonated quadridentate (O⁻, N, O⁻, N), or, quinquedentate (O⁻, N, O⁻, N, N⁻) function of the coordinated ligand H₂L. Binuclear mixed ligand complex formation equilibria: M(L)(B) + M(B)²⁺ ? (B)M(H₋₁L)M(B)⁺ + H⁺ is favoured with higher π-acidity of the B ligands. For Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II), these equilibria are accompanied by blue shift of the electronic absorption maxima of M(II) ions, as a negatively charged bridging benzimidazolate moiety provides stronger ligand field than a neutral one. Solution stability of the mixed ligand complexes are in the expected order: Co(II) < Ni(II) < Cu(II) > Zn(II). The Δ log K_M values are less negetive than their statistical values, indicating favoured formation of the mixed ligand complexes over the binary ones.     

Synthesis and characterization of Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes of a tripodal ligand containing imidazoles

Two complexes of the formula [MH₃L](ClO₄)₂ [M = Cu(II) (1), Ni(II) (2)] have been prepared by the reaction of M(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with the ligand (H₃L) formed by the Schiff base condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) with three molar equivalents of 4-methyl-5-imidazolecarboxaldehyde and structurally and magnetically characterized. The structures of 1 and 2 are isomorphous with each other and with the iron(II) complex of H₃L which has been reported previously. The ligand, while potentially heptadentate, forms six coordinate complexes with both metal centers forming three M-N_imine and three M-N_imidazole bonds. The tren central N atom is at a nonbonded distance from M of 3.261 Å for 1 and 3.329 Å for 2. The neutral complex CuHL 3 was prepared by reaction of H₃L with Cu(OCH₃)₂ and the ionic complex Na[NiL] 4 was prepared by deprotonation of 2 with aqueous sodium hydroxide. Magnetic measurements of 1-3 are consistent with the spin-only values expected for S = 1/2 (d⁹, Cu(II)) and S = 1 (d⁸, Ni (II)) systems.     

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 .