Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes as carriers for DNA delivery

Two novel water soluble ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(bqbg)](2+) and [Ru(phen)(2)(bqbg)](2+) have been structurally characterized and their DNA condensation activity, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake studies of DNA condensates as potential non-viral DNA carriers were evaluated.     

Photoinitiated DNA Binding by cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NH3)2]2+

The ligand-loss photochemistry of cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(NH(3))(2)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) was investigated in water and in the presence of added ligands such as bipyridine and chloride. Irradiation of the complex results in the covalent binding to 9-methyl- and 9-ethylguanine, as well as to single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. This photoinduced DNA binding is not observed for the control complex [Ru(bpy)(2)(en)](2+) (en = ethylenediamine) under similar irradiation conditions. The results presented here show that octahedral Ru(II) complexes with photolabile ligands may prove useful as photoactivated cisplatin analogs.     

Stabilization of G-quadruplex DNA, inhibition of telomerase activity and live cell imaging studies of chiral ruthenium(II) complexes

Telomerase inhibition is an attractive strategy for cancer chemotherapy. In the current study, we have synthesized and characterized two chiral ruthenium(II) complexes, namely, Λ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) and Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+), where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and p-MOPIP is 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-imidazo[4,5f][1,10]phenanthroline. The chiral selectivity of the compounds and their ability to discriminate quadruplex DNA were investigated by using UV/Vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, fluorescence resonance energy transfer melting assay, polymerase chain reaction stop assay and telomerase repeat amplification protocol. The results indicate that the two chiral compounds could induce and stabilize the formation of antiparallel G-quadruplexes of telomeric DNA in the presence or absence of metal cations. We report the remarkable ability of the two complexes Λ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) and Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) to stabilize selectively G-quadruplex DNA; the former is a better G-quadruplex binder than the latter. The anticancer activities of these complexes were evaluated by using the MTT assay. Interestingly, the antiproliferative activity of Λ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) was higher than that of Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+), and Λ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) showed a significant antitumor activity in HepG2 cells. The status of the nuclei in Λ/Δ-[Ru(phen)(2) (p-MOPIP)](2+)-treated HepG2 cells was investigated by using real-time living cell microscopy to determine the effects of Λ/Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) on intracellular accumulation. The results show that Λ/Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) can be taken up by HepG2 cells and can enter into the cytoplasm as well as accumulate in the nuclei; this suggests that the nuclei were the cellular targets of Λ/Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+).     

Electronic effect of different positions of the -NO2 group on the DNA-intercalator of chiral complexes [Ru(bpy)2L]2+ (L =o-npip, m-npip and p-npip)

New chiral Ru(II) complexes with intercalators L (L =o-npip, m-npip and p-npip) containing -NO2 at different positions on the phenyl ring were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, ESI-MS and CD spectra. The DNA binding properties of these complexes have been investigated with UV-Vis, emission spectra, CD spectra and viscosity measurements. A subtle but detectable difference was observed in the interaction of these isomers with CT-DNA. Absorption spectroscopy experiments indicated that each of these complexes can interact with the DNA. The DNA-binding of the Delta-isomer is stronger than that of Lambda-isomer. DNA-viscosity experiments provided evidence that both Delta- and Lambda-[Ru(bpy)2(o-npip)](PF6)2 bind to DNA with partial intercalation, and both Delta- and Lambda-[Ru(bpy)(2)(p-npip)](PF6)2 fully intercalate with DNA. However, Delta- and Lambda- [Ru(bpy)2(m-npip)](PF6)2 bind to DNA through different modes, i.e., the Delta isomer by intercalation and Lambda isomer by partial intercalation. Under irradiation with UV light, Ru(II) complexes showed different efficiency of cleaving DNA. The most interesting feature is that neither 1 (Delta-1 and Lambda-1) nor 3 (Delta-3 and Lambda-3) emit luminescence either alone in aqueous solution or in the presence of DNA, whereas both Delta-2 and Lambda-2 emit luminescence under the same conditions. In addition, theoretical calculations for these three isomer complexes have been carried out applying the density functional theory (DFT) method at the level of the B3LYP/LanL2DZ basis set, and the calculated results can reasonably explain the obtained experimental trends in the DNA-binding affinities or binding constants (Kb) and some spectral properties of the complexes.     

The synthesis and structure of heteroleptic tris(diimine)ruthenium(II) complexes

The reactions of bidentate diimine ligands (L2) with cationic bis(diimine)[Ru(L)(L1)(CO)Cl]+ complexes (L, L1, L2 are dissimilar diimine ligands), in the presence of trimethylamine-N-oxide (Me3NO) as a decarbonylation reagent, lead to the formation of heteroleptic tris(diimine) ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(L)(L1)(L2)]2+. Typically isolated as hexafluorophosphate or perchlorate salts, these complexes were characterised by UV-visible, infrared and mass spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, microanalyses and NMR spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray studies have elucidated the structures of K[Ru(bpy)(phen)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)](PF(6))(3).1/2H(2)O, [Ru(bpy)(5,6-Me(2)phen)(Hdpa)](ClO(4))(2), [Ru(bpy)(phen)(5,6-Me(2)phen)](ClO(4))(2), [Ru(bpy)(5,6'-Me(2)phen)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)](PF(6))(2).EtOH, [Ru(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)(phen)(Hdpa)](PF(6))(2).MeOH and [Ru(bpy)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)(Hdpa)](ClO(4))(2).1/2Hdpa (where Hdpa is di(2-pyridyl)amine). A novel feature of the first complex is the presence of a dinuclear anionic adduct, [K(2)(PF(6))(6)](4-), in which the two potassium centres are bridged by two fluorides from different hexafluorophosphate ions forming a K(2)F(2) bridging unit and by two KFPFK bridging moieties.     

Synthesis and DNA interaction studies of ruthenium(II) complexes with isatino[1, 2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene as an intercalative ligand

The binding of the ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(ITAP)](ClO₄)₂ (bpy = 2,2’-bipyridine) and [Ru(phen)₂(ITAP)](ClO₄)₂ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, ITAP = isatino[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene) to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) have been investigated with UV–visible and emission spectroscopy, viscosity measurements, thermal denaturation, and photoactivated cleavage. The experimental results indicate that the two complexes bind to CT-DNA through an intercalative mode. The two Ru(II) complexes in the presence of plasmid pBR322 DNA have been found to give rise to nicking of DNA upon irradiation.     

Electrochemiluminescent peptide nucleic acid-like monomers containing Ru(II)-dipyridoquinoxaline and Ru(II)-dipyridophenazine complexes

A series of Ru(II)-peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-like monomers, [Ru(bpy)(2)(dpq-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M1), [Ru(phen)(2)(dpq-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M2), [Ru(bpy)(2)(dppz-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M3), and [Ru(phen)(2)(dppz-L-PNA-OH)](2+) (M4) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dpq-L-PNA-OH = 2-(N-(2-(((9H-fluoren-9-yl)methoxy)carbonylamino)ethyl)-6-(dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine-11-carboxamido)hexanamido)acetic acid, dppz-L-PNA-OH = 2-(N-(2-(((9H-fluoren-9-yl) methoxy)carbonylamino)ethyl)-6-(dipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline-2-carboxamido)acetic acid) have been synthesized and characterized by IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. As is typical for Ru(II)-tris(diimine) complexes, acetonitrile solutions of these complexes (M1-M4) show MLCT transitions in the 443-455 nm region and emission maxima at 618, 613, 658, and 660 nm, respectively, upon photoexcitation at 450 nm. Changes in the ligand environment around the Ru(II) center are reflected in the luminescence and electrochemical response obtained from these monomers. The emission intensity and quantum yield for M1 and M2 were found to be higher than for M3 and M4. Electrochemical studies in acetonitrile show the Ru(II)-PNA monomers to undergo a one-electron redox process associated with Ru(II) to Ru(III) oxidation. A positive shift was observed in the reversible redox potentials for M1-M4 (962, 951, 936, and 938 mV, respectively, vs Fc(0/+) (Fc = ferrocene)) in comparison with [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (888 mV vs Fc(0/+)). The ability of the Ru(II)-PNA monomers to generate electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was assessed in acetonitrile solutions containing tripropylamine (TPA) as a coreactant. Intense ECL signals were observed with emission maxima for M1-M4 at 622, 616, 673, and 675 nm, respectively. At an applied potential sufficiently positive to oxidize the ruthenium center, the integrated intensity for ECL from the PNA monomers was found to vary in the order M1 (62%) > M3 (60%) > M4 (46%) > M2 (44%) with respect to [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (100%). These findings indicate that such Ru(II)-PNA bioconjugates could be investigated as multimodal labels for biosensing applications.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of dinuclear complexes containing ruthenium(II) bipyridyl units linked by a bis(pyridylimine) ligand

Enantiopure dinuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes of the form [Ru(2)(LL)(4)L(1)](PF(6))(4) (LL = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen); L(1)= C(25)H(20)N(4) a bis(pyridylimine) ligand containing a diphenylmethane spacer) have been synthesized using the chiral building blocks cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(py)(2)](2+) and cis-[Ru(phen)(2)(py)(2)](2+). These dinuclear ruthenium complexes have been characterised using NMR, mass spectrometry, UV-visible absorbance, circular dichroism and linear dichroism. The compounds exhibit good photo and thermal stability. The extinction coefficient for the bpy complex at 478 nm is epsilon(478) = 15,700 mol(-1) cm(-1) dm(3) and for the phen complex is epsilon(478) = 24,900 mol(-1) cm(-1) dm(3). Both complexes have their longest wavelength (metal to ligand charge transfer) transition predominantly x/y (short axis)-polarised while the transitions at shorter wavelength are a mixture of x/y and z-polarisations, similar to both the copper helicate and iron triple helicate studied previously. Cytotoxicity studies reveal that the compounds are dramatically less active against cancer cell lines than the recently reported supramolecular cylinders prepared from the same bis(pyridylimine) ligand.     

DNA mismatch detection by resonance energy transfer between ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) chromophores

Octahedral tris-chelate complexes [M(II)(bpy)(3)](2+) (M = Ru or Os, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl), covalently attached to the 3'- and 5'-phosphates of two oligonucleotides, are juxtaposed when hybridized contiguously to a fully complementary DNA target. Visible metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excitation of the [Ru(II)(bpy)(3)](2+) unit leads to resonance energy transfer to the MLCT state of the [Os(II)(bpy)(3)](2+) moiety, with the energy transfer efficiency depending on the degree of hybridization. The extent of attenuation of the intense red luminescence from the Ru(II) chromophore hence allows highly sensitive structural probing of the assembly and constitutes a novel approach to DNA sensing which is capable of detecting mutations.     

Oxidative homolysis of a nitrosylchromium complex

Metal(III)-polypyridine complexes [M(NN)(3)](3+) (M = Ru or Fe; NN = bipyridine (bpy), phenanthroline (phen), or 4,7-dimethylphenanthroline (Me(2)-phen)) oxidize the nitrosylpentaaquachromium(III) ion, [Cr(aq)NO](2+), with an overall 4:1 stoichiometry, 4 [Ru(bpy)(3)](3+) + [Cr(aq)NO](2+) + 2 H(2)O --> 4 [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) + [Cr(aq)](3+) + NO(3)(-) + 4 H(+). The kinetics follow a mixed second-order rate law, -d[[M(NN)(3)](3+)]/dt = nk[[M(NN)(3)](3+)][[Cr(aq)NO](2+)], in which k represents the rate constant for the initial one-electron transfer step, and n = 2-4 depending on reaction conditions and relative rates of the first and subsequent steps. With [Cr(aq)NO](2+) in excess, the values of nk are 283 M(-1) s(-1) ([Ru(bpy)(3)](3+)), 7.4 ([Ru(Me(2)-phen)(3)](3+)), and 5.8 ([Fe(phen)(3)](3+)). In the proposed mechanism, the one-electron oxidation of [Cr(aq)NO](2+) releases NO, which is further oxidized to nitrite, k = 1.04x10(6) M(-1) s(-1), 6.17x10(4), and 1.12x10(4) with the three respective oxidants. Further oxidation yields the observed nitrate. The kinetics of the first step show a strong correlation with thermodynamic driving force. Parallels were drawn with oxidative homolysis of a superoxochromium(III) ion, [Cr(aq)OO](2+), to gain insight into relative oxidizability of coordinated NO and O(2), and to address the question of the "oxidation state" of coordinated NO in [Cr(aq)NO](2+).     

Dinuclear ruthenium(ii) complexes with flexible bridges as non-duplex DNA binding agents

The stereoisomers of a series of dinuclear ruthenium(ii) complexes [{Ru(phen)(2)}(2)(micro-BL)](4+) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) with flexible bridging ligands (BL) bb2 {1,2-bis[4(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)]ethane}, bb5 {1,5-bis[4(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)]pentane}, bb7 {1,7-bis[4(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)]heptane}, and bb10 {1,10-bis[4(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)]decane} have been synthesised. Their binding to a control dodecanucleotide, d(CCGGAATTCCGG)(2), and a tridecanucleotide, d(CCGAGAATTCCGG)(2), which contains a single adenine bulge have been studied using fluorescence displacement assays involving intercalating and groove-binding dyes, equilibrium dialysis and binding affinity chromatography. The fluorescence intercalator displacement (FID) assay indicated that LambdaLambda-[{Ru(phen)(2)}(2)(micro-bb7)](4+) had the greatest binding affinity with all the oligonucleotides, whereas an analogous fluorescence technique using a minor-groove binding dye, equilibrium dialysis and affinity binding chromatography showed that DeltaDelta-[{Ru(phen)(2)}(2)(micro-bb7)](4+) had the strongest binding. An (1)H NMR study of the binding of the DeltaDelta-enantiomer of [{Ru(phen)(2)}(2)(micro-bb7)](4+) to d(CCGAGAATTCCGG)(2) confirmed the selectivity of the metal complex for the bulge site and provided the basis for an energy-minimised binding model of the dinuclear ruthenium complex with the single adenine bulge containing trinucleotide. The binding model demonstrated the ability of the flexibly-linked complex to follow the curvature of the DNA minor groove.     

Bis(amido)ruthenium(IV) Complexes with 2,3-Diamino-2,3-dimethylbutane. Crystal Structure and Reversible Ru(IV)-Amide/Ru(III)-Amine and Ru(IV)-Amide/Ru(II)- Amine Redox Couples in Aqueous Solution

Two bis(amido)ruthenium(IV) complexes, [Ru(IV)(bpy)(L-H)(2)](2+) and [Ru(IV)(L)(L-H)(2)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, L = 2,3-diamino-2,3-dimethylbutane, L-H = (H(2)NCMe(2)CMe(2)NH)(-)), were prepared by chemical oxidation of [Ru(II)(bpy)(L)(2)](2+) and the reaction of [(n-Bu)(4)N][Ru(VI)NCl(4)] with L, respectively. The structures of [Ru(bpy)(L-H)(2)][ZnBr(4)].CH(3)CN and [Ru(L)(L-H)(2)]Cl(2).2H(2)O were determined by X-ray crystal analysis. [Ru(bpy)(L-H)(2)][ZnBr(4)].CH(3)CN crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 12.597(2) ?, b = 15.909(2) ?, c = 16.785(2) ?, beta = 91.74(1) degrees, and Z = 4. [Ru(L)(L-H)(2)]Cl(2).2H(2)O crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4(1)/a with a = 31.892(6) ?, c = 10.819(3) ?, and Z = 16. In both complexes, the two Ru-N(amide) bonds are cis to each other with bond distances ranging from 1.835(7) to 1.856(7) ?. The N(amide)-Ru-N(amide) angles are about 110 degrees. The two Ru(IV) complexes are diamagnetic, and the chemical shifts of the amide protons occur at around 13 ppm. Both complexes display reversible metal-amide/metal-amine redox couples in aqueous solution with a pyrolytic graphite electrode. Depending on the pH of the media, reversible/quasireversible 1e(-)-2H(+) Ru(IV)-amide/Ru(III)-amine and 2e(-)-2H(+) Ru(IV)-amide/Ru(II)-amine redox couples have been observed. At pH = 1.0, the E degrees is 0.46 V for [Ru(IV)(bpy)(L-H)(2)](2+)/[Ru(III)(bpy)(L)(2)](3+) and 0.29 V vs SCE for [Ru(IV)(L)(L-H)(2)](2+)/[Ru(III)(L)(3)](3+). The difference in the E degrees values for the two Ru(IV)-amide complexes has been attributed to the fact that the chelating saturated diamine ligand is a better sigma-donor than 2,2'-bipyridine.     

Mononuclear and binuclear ruthenium(II) heteroleptic complexes based on 1,10-phenanthroline ligands. Part II: Spectroscopic and photophysical study in the presence of DNA

Photophysical and photochemical properties of a series of mononuclear and binuclear ruthenium(II) complexes of phen (phen=1,10-phenanthroline), in the absence or in the presence of calf-thymus DNA have been investigated by steady-state as well as time-resolved methods. The complexes of this series are [Ru(x)(phen)(2x)(L)](2x+) (x=1 or 2) type, where L is a bpy (4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bypiridine, with x=1) or a bis-bpy covalently linked by flexible chains including either polymethylene groups or polyamine functions (with x=2). Upon addition of DNA, the most important increasing luminescence and change of emission maxima wavelength are observed for the bimetallic compounds having amine functions in their spacer. A biexponential decay in luminescence is found with emission lifetimes of the complexes upon binding to DNA. Moreover, these complexes induce efficient photocleavage of DNA by irradiation at 450 nm. This efficiency is particularly important when the binuclear complexes include amino groups. Topoisomerization experiments have pointed out a similarity between the DNA cleaving ability of these complexes and their intercalation into DNA. Scavenging experiments have shown that the oxidative species involved in DNA cleavage was mainly (1)O(2), via a type II mechanism.     

Dual molecular light switches for pH and DNA based on a novel Ru(II) complex. A non-intercalating Ru(II) complex for DNA molecular light switch

A new Ru(II) complex of [Ru(phen)(2)(Hcdpq)](ClO(4))(2) {phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, Hcdpq = 2-carboxyldipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline} was synthesized and characterized. The spectrophotometric pH and calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) titrations showed that the complex acted as a dual molecular light switch for pH and ct-DNA with emission enhancement factors of 17 and 26, respectively. It was shown to be capable of distinguishing ct-DNA from yeast RNA with this binding selectivity being superior to two well-known DNA molecular light switches of [Ru(bpy)(2)(dppz)](2+) {bpy =2,2'-bipyridine, and dppz = dipyrido-[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine}and ethidium bromide. The complex bond to ct-DNA probably in groove mode with a binding constant of (4.67 ± 0.06) × 10(3) M(-1) in 5 mM Tris-HCl, 50 mM NaCl (pH = 7.10) buffer solution, as evidenced by UV-visible absorption and luminescence titrations, the dependence of DNA binding constants on NaCl concentrations, DNA competitive binding with ethidium bromide, and emission lifetime and viscosity measurements. To get insight into the light-switch mechanism, theoretical calculations were also performed by applying density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT.     

Modulating the light switch by (3)MLCT-(3)ππ* state interconversion

The spectroscopic, electronic, and DNA-binding characteristics of two novel ruthenium complexes based on the dialkynyl ligands 2,3-bis(phenylethynyl)-1,4,8,9-tetraaza-triphenylene (bptt, 1) and 2,3-bis(4-tert-butyl-phenylethynyl)-1,4,8,9-tetraaza-triphenylene (tbptt, 2) have been investigated. Electronic structure calculations of bptt reveal that the frontier molecular orbitals are localized on the pyrazine-dialkynyl portion of the free ligand, a property that is reflected in a red shift of the lowest energy electronic transition (1: λ(max) = 393 nm) upon substitution at the terminal phenyl groups (2: λ(max) = 398 nm). Upon coordination to ruthenium, the low-energy ligand-centered transitions of 1 and 2 are retained, and metal-to-ligand charge transfer transitions (MLCT) centered at λ(max) = 450 nm are observed for [Ru(phen)(2)bptt](2+)(3) and [Ru(phen)(2)tbptt](2+)(4). The photophysical characteristics of 3 and 4 in ethanol closely parallel those observed for [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) and [Ru(phen)(3)](2+), indicating that the MLCT excited state is primarily localized within the [Ru(phen)(3)](2+) manifold of 3 and 4, and is only sparingly affected by the extended conjugation of the bptt framework. In an aqueous environment, 3 and 4 possess notably small luminescence quantum yields (3: ?(H(2)O) = 0.005, 4: ?(H(2)O) = 0.011) and biexponential decay kinetics (3: τ(1) = 40 ns, τ(2) = 230 ns; 4: τ(1) ～ 26 ns, τ(2) = 150 ns). Addition of CT-DNA to an aqueous solution of 3 causes a significant increase in the luminescence quantum yield (?(DNA) = 0.045), while the quantum yield of 4 is relatively unaffected (?(DNA) = 0.013). The differential behavior demonstrates that tert-butyl substitution on the terminal phenyl groups inhibits the ability of 4 to intercalate with DNA. Such changes in intrinsic luminescence demonstrate that 3 binds to DNA via intercalation (K(b) = 3.3 × 10(4) M(-1)). The origin of this light switch behavior involves two competing (3)MLCT states similar to that of the extensively studied light switch molecule [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+). The solvent- and temperature-dependence of the luminescence of 3 reveal that the extended ligand aromaticity lowers the energy of the (3)ππ* excited state into competition with the emitting (3)MLCT state. Interconversion between these two states plays a significant role in the observed photophysics and is responsible for the dual emission in aqueous environments.     

Synthesis,characterization, and DNA binding of ruthenium(II) complexes with 2-benzo[b] furan-2-yl-1H-imidazo[4,5f][1,10]phenanthroline as an intercalative ligand

DNA-binding properties of a number of ruthenium complexes with different polypyridine ligands are reported. The new polypyridine ligand BFIP (=2-benzo[b] furan-2-yl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) and its ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)₂BFIP]²⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), [Ru(dmb)₂BFIP]²⁺ (dmb = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine), and [Ru(phen)₂BFIP]²⁺ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectra, IR, UV-Vis, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, and cyclic voltammetry. The DNA binding of these complexes to calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated by spectrophotometric, fluorescence, and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that ruthenium(II) complexes bind to CT-DNA through intercalation. Photocleavage of pBR 322 DNA by these complexes was also studied, and [Ru(phen)₂BFIP]²⁺ was found to be a much better photocleavage agent than the other two complexes.     

Charge delocalization of 1,4-benzenedicyclometalated ruthenium: a comparison between tris-bidentate and bis-tridentate complexes

A dimetallic biscyclometalated ruthenium complex, [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpb)Ru(bpy)(2)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; dpb = 1,4-di-2-pyridylbenzene), with a tris-bidentate coordination mode has been prepared. The electronic properties of this complex were studied by electrochemical and spectroscopic analysis and DFT/TDDFT calculations on both rac and meso isomers. Complex [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpb)Ru(bpy)(2)](2+) has a similar 1,4-benzenedicyclometalated ruthenium (Ru-phenyl-Ru) structural component with a previously reported bis-tridentate complex, [(tpy)Ru(tpb)Ru(tpy)](2+) (tpy = 2,2';6',2″-terpyridine; tpb = 1,2,4,5-tetra-2-pyridylbenzene). The charge delocalizations of these complexes across the Ru-phenyl-Ru array were investigated and compared by studying the corresponding one-electron-oxidized species, generated by chemical oxidation or electrochemical electrolysis, with DFT/TDDFT calculations and spectroscopic and EPR analysis. These studies indicate that both [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpb)Ru(bpy)(2)](3+) and [(tpy)Ru(tpb)Ru(tpy)](3+) are fully delocalized systems. However, the coordination mode of the metal component plays an important role in influencing their electronic properties.     

Reactions of acetonitrile coordinated to a nitrosylruthenium complex with H2O or CH(3)OH under mild conditions: structural characterization of imido-type complexes

The reaction of cis-[Ru(NO)(CH(3)CN)(bpy)(2)](3+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) in H(2)O at room temperature proceeded to afford two new nitrosylruthenium complexes. These complexes have been identified as nitrosylruthenium complexes containing the N-bound methylcarboxyimidato ligand, cis-[Ru(NO)(NH=C(O)CH(3))(bpy)(2)](2+), and methylcarboxyimido acid ligand, cis-[Ru(NO)(NH=C(OH)CH(3))(bpy)(2)](3+), formed by an electrophilic reaction at the nitrile carbon of the acetonitrile coordinated to the ruthenium ion. The X-ray structure analysis on a single crystal obtained from CH(3)CN-H(2)O solution of cis-[Ru(NO)(NH=C(O)CH(3))(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(3) has been performed: C(22)H(20.5)N(6)O(2)P(2.5)F(15)Ru, orthorhombic, Pccn, a = 15.966(1) A, b = 31.839(1) A, c = 11.707(1) A, V = 5950.8(4) A(3), and Z = 8. The structural results revealed that the single crystal consisted of 1:1 mixture of cis-[Ru(NO)(NH=C(O)CH(3))(bpy)(2)](2+) and cis-[Ru(NO)(NH=C(OH)CH(3))(bpy)(2)](3+) and the structural formula of this single crystal was thus [Ru(NO)(NH=C(OH(0.5))CH(3))(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(2.5). The reaction of cis-[Ru(NO)(CH(3)CN)(bpy)(2)](3+) in dry CH(3)OH-CH(3)CN at room temperature afforded a nitrosylruthenium complex containing the methyl methylcarboxyimidate ligand, cis-[Ru(NO)(NH=C(OCH(3))CH(3))(bpy)(2)](3+). The structure has been determined by X-ray structure analysis: C(25)H(29)N(8)O(18)Cl(3)Ru, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 13.129(1) A, b = 17.053(1) A, c = 15.711(1) A, beta = 90.876(5) degrees, V = 3517.3(4) A(3), and Z = 4.     

Synthesis, structure, spectroscopic properties, and electrochemical oxidation of ruthenium(II) complexes Incorporating monocarboxylate bipyridine ligands

[Ru(bpy)(2)(Mebpy-COOH)](PF(6))(2).3H(2)O (1), [Ru(phen)(2)(Mebpy-COOH)](ClO(4))(2).5H(2)O (2), [Ru(dppz)(2)(Mebpy-COOH)]Cl(2).9H(2)O (3), and [Ru(bpy)(dppz)(Mebpy-COOH)](PF(6))(2).5H(2)O (4) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, Mebpy-COOH = 4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4-carboxylic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dppz = dipyrido[3,2,-a;2',3-c]phenazine) have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and by microanalysis. The [Ru(Mebpy-COOH)(CO)(2)Cl(2)].H(2)O intermediate was prepared by reaction of the monocarboxylic acid ligand, Mebpy-COOH, with [Ru(CO)(2)Cl(2)](n), and the product was then reacted with either bpy, phen, or dppz in the presence of an excess of trimethylamine-N-oxide (Me(3)NO), as the decarbonylation agent, to generate 1, 2, and 3, respectively. For compound 4, [Ru(bpy)(CO)Cl(2)](2) was reacted with Mebpy-COOH to yield [Ru(bpy)(Mebpy-COOH)(CO)Cl](PF(6)).H(2)O as a mixture of two main geometric isomers. Chemical decarbonylation in the presence of dppz gave 4 also as a mixture of two isomers. Electrochemical and spectrophotometric studies indicated that complexes 1 and 2 were present as a mixture of protonated and deprotonated forms in acetonitrile solution because of water of solvation in the isolated solid products. The X-ray crystal structure determination on crystals of [Ru(bpy)2(MebpyCOO)][Ru(bpy)(2)(MebpyCOOH)](3)(PF(6))(7), 1a, and [Ru(phen)(2)(MebpyCOO)](ClO(4)).6H(2)O, 2a, obtained from solutions of 1 and 2, respectively, revealed that 1a consisted of a mixture of protonated and deprotonated forms of the complex in a 1:3 ratio and that 2a consisted of the deprotonated derivative of 2. A distorted octahedral geometry for the Ru(II) centers was found for both complexes. Upon excitation at 450 nm, MeCN solutions of the protonated complexes 1-4 were found to exhibit emission bands in the 635-655 nm range, whereas the corresponding emission maxima of their deprotonated forms were observed at lower wavelengths. Protonation/deprotonation effects were also observed in the luminescence and electrochemical behavior of complexes 1-4. Comprehensive electrochemical studies in acetonitrile show that the ruthenium centers on 1, 2, 3, and 4 are oxidized from Ru(II) to Ru(III) with reversible potentials at 917, 929, 1052, and 1005 mV vs Fc(0/+) (Fc = ferrocene), respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 also exhibit an irreversible oxidation process in acetonitrile, and all compounds undergo ligand-based reduction processes.