Synthesis of amphiphilic A4B4 star‐shaped copolymers by mechanisms transformation combining with thiol‐ene reaction

Using core‐first strategy, the amphiphilic A₄B₄ star‐shaped copolymers [poly(ethylene oxide)]₄[poly(ε‐caprolactone)]₄ [(PEO)₄(PCL)₄], [poly(ethylene oxide)]₄[poly(styrene)]₄ [(PEO)₄(PS)₄], and [poly(ethylene oxide)]₄[poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)]₄ [(PEO)₄(PtBA)₄] were synthesized by mechanisms transformation combining with thiol‐ene reaction. First, using a designed multifunctional mikto‐initiator with four active hydroxyl groups and four allyl groups, the four‐armed star‐shaped polymers (PEO‐Ph)₄/(OH)₄ with four active hydroxyl groups at core position were obtained by sequential ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ethylene oxide monomers, capping reaction of living oxyanion with benzyl chloride, and transformation of allyl groups into hydroxyl groups by thiol‐ene reaction. Then, the A₄B₄ star‐shaped copolymers (PEO)₄(PS)₄ or (PEO)₄(PtBA)₄ were obtained by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene or tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA) monomers from macroinitiator of (PEO‐Ph)₄/(Br)₄, which was obtained by esterification of (PEO‐Ph)₄/(OH)₄ with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide. The A₄B₄ star‐shaped copolymers (PEO)₄(PCL)₄ were also obtained by ROP of ε‐caprolactopne monomers from macroinitiator of (PEO‐Ph)₄/(OH)₄. The target copolymers and intermediates were characterized by size‐exclusion chromatography, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance in detail. This synthetic route might be a versatile one to various A_nB_n (n ≥ 3) star‐shaped copolymers with defined structure and compositions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4572–4583     

Controlled synthesis of pH‐responsive amphiphilic A2B2 miktoarm star block copolymer by combination of SET‐LRP and RAFT polymerization

The pH‐responsive amphiphilic A₂B₂ miktoarm star block copolymer, poly(acrylic acid)₂‐poly(vinyl acetate)₂ [(PAA)₂(PVAc)₂], with controlled molecular weight and well‐defined structure was successfully synthesized via combination of single‐electron transfer‐mediated living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization methods. First, the precursor two‐armed poly(t‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA)₂ functionalized with two xanthate groups was prepared by SET‐LRP of t‐butyl acrylate in acetone at 25 °C using the novel tetrafunctional bromoxanthate (Xanthate₂‐Br₂) as an Iniferter (initiator‐transfer agent‐terminator) agent. The polymerization behavior showed typical LRP natures by the first‐order polymerization kinetics and the linear dependence of molecular weight of the polymer on the monomer conversion. Second, the A₂B₂ miktoarm star block copolymer (PtBA)₂(PVAc)₂ was prepared by RAFT polymerization of VAc using (PtBA‐N₃)₂(Xanthate)₂ obtained as the macro‐RAFT agent. Finally, the pH‐sensitive A₂B₂ amphiphilic miktoarm star block copolymer poly(acrylic acid)₂‐poly(vinyl acetate)₂ ((PAA)₂(PVAc)₂) was obtained by selectively cleavage of t‐butyl esters of (PtBA)₂(PVAc)₂. All the miktoarm star block copolymers were characterized by GPC, ¹H‐NMR, and FT‐IR spectra. The self‐assembly behaviors of the amphiphilic A₂B₂ miktoarm block copolymers (PAA)₂(PVAc)₂ were also investigated by transmission electron microscopy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009     

[p‐tBu‐calix[4](OMe)2(OBeCl)2]: The First Structually Characterized Beryllium Calixarene Complex

Treatment of [p‐^tBu‐calix[4](OMe)₂(OLi)₂] with two equivalents of BeCl₂ gave the unprecedented dinuclear beryllium complex [p‐p‐^tBu‐calix[4](OMe)₂(OBeCl)₂], which was structurally characterized, both in solution (NMR) and in the solid state (X‐ray structure analysis).     

Diffusion control in radiation graft polymerization with varying dependence of rate on monomer concentration

The quantitative effect of diffusion control on the rate of radiation-initiated graft polymerization has been studied theoretically for systems in which the diffusion-free reaction may show various dependencies of rate on monomer concentration other than the usual first-order dependence. The study is also very general in that it can be applied to systems involving a variety of different modes of initiation and termination. Whether the grafting process is diffusion-free or diffusion-controlled has been analyzed in terms of the interaction of the initiation rate R_i, the propagation and termination rate constants k_p and k_t, the equilibrium solubility M of the monomer in the polymer, the polymer film thickness L, the diffusivity D of the monomer in the polymer, and the diffusion-free kinetic order of dependence v of the grafting rate on monomer concentration. The dependence of the grafting rate for both the diffusion-free and diffusion-controlled reactions on these parameters is expressed both by mathematical experssions and graphically. Diffusion control is shown to occur at a critical value of the parameter A which is proportional to L(k_pR_i^w/k_t^zD)^1/2M^(ε?1)/2 where w, z, and v have different values depending on the specific modes of initiation, propagation and termination in a particular grafting system. The grafting rate is shown to vary with the value of A according to specific mathematical expressions. In comparing diffusion-free to diffusion-controlled reaction, it is shown that the former is independent of L and D while the latter is directly dependent on L and inversely on D^1/2. Further, the change from diffusion-free to diffusion-controlled reaction involves a change in the dependence of rate on monomer from v-order to [(v ? 1)/2]-order. The nonsteady-state as well as the steady-state reaction rates have been analyzed.     

Nitrogen‐Based Lewis Acids Derived from Phosphonium Diazo Cations

Reaction of PPh₃ and [(p‐ClC₆H₄)N₂][BF₄] affords [(p‐ClC₆H₄)N(PPh₃)N(PPh₃)][BF₄] 1 , while reaction with (Ph₂PCH₂)₂ gave [(p‐ClC₆H₄)(NPh₂PCH₂)₂)][BF₄] 2 . These species confirm the Lewis acidity of [(p‐ClC₆H₄)N₂(PR₃)][BF₄] cations at N. In contrast, use of bulky phosphines afford the species [ArN₂(PR₃)][BF₄] (R=tBu 3 , Mes 4 ). Compound 3 undergoes one electron reduction to give the stable radical [(p‐ClC₆H₄)N₂(PtBu₃)]^. 5 . Combination of 3 and PtBu₃ acts as an FLP to effect (SPh)₂ cleavage, generating [PhSPtBu₃]⁺ and the radical [ArN₂(PR₃)]^.. Collectively, these data affirm the ability of the cations [ArN₂(PR₃)]⁺ to behave as one or two electron acceptors.     

tert‐Butyl(tert‐butoxy)zinc Hydroxides: Hybrid Models for Single‐Source Precursors of ZnO Nanocrystals

Alkylzinc alkoxides, [RZnOR′]₄, have received much attention as efficient precursors of ZnO nanocrystals (NCs), and their “Zn₄O₄” heterocubane core has been regarded as a “preorganized ZnO”. A comprehensive investigation of the synthesis and characterization of a new family of tert‐butyl(tert‐butoxy)zinc hydroxides, [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)_x(μ₃‐OH)_4?x], as model single‐source precursors of ZnO NCs is reported. The direct reaction between well‐defined [tBuZnOH]₆ ( 1₆ ) and [tBuZnOtBu]₄ ( 2₄ ) in various molar ratios allows the isolation of new mixed cubane aggregates as crystalline solids in a high yield: [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)₃(μ₃‐OH)] ( 3 ), [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)₂(μ₃‐OH)₂] ( 4 ), [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)(μ₃‐OH)₃] ( 5 ). The resulting products were characterized in solution by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy, and in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The thermal transformations of 2 – 5 were monitored by in situ variable‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric measurements. The investigation showed that the Zn?OH groups appeared to be a desirable feature for the solid‐state synthesis of ZnO NCs that significantly decreased the decomposition temperature of crystalline precursors 3 – 5 .     

A copper diimine‐based honeycomb‐like porous network as an efficient reduction catalyst

Nitrophenols are among the widely used industrial chemicals worldwide; however, their hazardous effects on environment are a major concern nowadays. Therefore, the conversion of environmentally detrimental p‐nitrophenol (PNP) to industrially valuable p‐aminophenol (PAP), a prototype reaction, is an important organic transformation reaction. However, the traditional conversion of PNP to PAP is an expensive and environmentally unfriendly process. Here, we report a honeycomb‐like porous network with zeolite‐like channels formed by the self‐organization of copper, 1,10‐phenanthroline, 4,4′‐bipyridine, and water. This porous network effectively catalyzed the transformation of hazardous PNP to pharmaceutically valued PAP. In the presence of complex, PNP to PAP conversion occurred in a few minutes, which is otherwise a very sluggish process. To assess the kinetics, the catalytic conversion of PNP to PAP was studied at five different temperatures. The linearity of lnC_t/C_o versus temperature plot indicated pseudo‐first‐order kinetics. The copper complex with zeolite like channels may find applications as a reduction catalyst both on laboratory and industrial scales and in green chemistry for the remediation of pollutants.     

Cyclotron production and quality control of “high specific activity' radionuclides in “no-carrier-added” form for radioanalytical applications in the life sciences

Radionuclides of very high specific activity A _S(t) have great relevance for applications in the life sciences. Updated definitions of A _S are given. The real A _S(t) must be measured by analytical and radioanalytical techniques. No-carrier-added (NCA) radionuclides have A _S(NCA) sometimes close to the carrier-free (CF) value A _S(CF). The accurate knowledge of excitation functions of nuclear reactions vs. ion beam energy is mandatory to maximize A _S(NCA); the minimization of isotopic dilution factor IDF(t) has been achieved too. A range of accelerator production and radioanalytical QC methods for A _S(NCA) optimization and determination is presented. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

New insights into pseudo-second-order kinetic equation for adsorption

This study looked into the theoretical basis of the most commonly used pseudo-second-order kinetic equation for adsorption. It was demonstrated that the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation for adsorption indeed is in line with the universal rate law for a chemical reaction, while the same principle can also be applied to the pseudo-first-order kinetic equation for adsorption. This in turn offers a theoretical basis for the pseudo-second-order equation. If the second-order equation is applicable, the rate of adsorption was found to be subject to a second-order rate law with respect to the availability of adsorption sites on the surface of adsorbent rather than adsorbate concentration in bulk solution as proposed in the literature. Based on the rate law for the second-order adsorption process, the original complex second-order kinetic equation can be transformed to a simple hyperbolic form with clearly defined mathematical structure: Q_t = Q_e(t/t + t_r) in which t_r is relaxation time representing time required for adsorption to reach half-saturation state of adsorbent under given experimental conditions, i.e., Q_t = 0.5Q_e.     

Propagation rate coefficients of isobornyl acrylate,tert‐butyl acrylate and 1‐ethoxyethyl acrylate: A high frequency PLP‐SEC study

Pulsed laser polymerization (PLP) coupled to size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is considered to be the most accurate and reliable technique for the determination of absolute propagation rate coefficients, k_p. Herein, k_p data as a function of temperature were determined via PLP‐SEC for three acrylate monomers that are of particular synthetic interest (e.g., for the generation of amphiphilic block copolymers). The high‐T_g monomer isobornyl acrylate (iBoA) as well as the precursor monomers for the synthesis of hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid), tert‐butyl acrylate (tBuA), and 1‐ethoxyethyl acrylate (EEA) were investigated with respect to their propagation rate coefficient in a wide temperature range. By application of a 500 Hz laser repetition rate, data could be obtained up to a temperature of 80 °C. To arrive at absolute values for k_p, the Mark‐Houwink parameters of the polymers have been determined via on‐line light scattering and viscosimetry measurements. These read: K = 5.00 × 10⁵ dL g⁻¹, a = 0.75 (piBoA), K = 19.7 × 10⁵ dL g⁻¹, a = 0.66 (ptBA) and K = 1.53 × 10⁵ dL g⁻¹, a = 0.85 (pEEA). The bulky iBoA monomer shows the lowest propagation rate coefficient among the three monomers, while EEA is the fastest. The activation energies and Arrhenius factors read: (iBoA): log(A/L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) = 7.05 and E_A = 17.0 kJ mol⁻¹; (tBuA): log(A/L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) = 7.28 and E_A = 17.5 kJ mol⁻¹ and (EEA): log(A/L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) = 6.80 and E_A = 13.8 kJ mol⁻¹. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6641–6654, 2009     

Darstellung und Kristallstrukturen von tBu‐substituierten Disiloxanen des Typus tBu2SiX‐O‐SiYtBu2 (X = Y = OH,Br; X = OH,Y = H) und den Addukten tBu3SiOH·(HO3SCF3)0.5·H2O und tBu3SiOLi·(LiO3SCF3)2·(H2O)2

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of tBu‐substituted Disiloxanes tBu₂SiX‐O‐SiYtBu₂ (X = Y = OH, Br; X = OH, Y = H) and of the Adducts tBu₃SiOH·(HO₃SCF₃)_0.5·H₂O and tBu₃SiOLi·(LiO₃SCF₃)₂·(H₂O)₂ The disiloxanes tBu₂SiX‐O‐SiYtBu₂ (X = Y = H, OH) are accessible from the reaction of CF₃SO₂Cl with tBu₂SiHOH or tBu₂Si(OH)₂. By this reaction the disiloxane tBu₂SiH‐O‐SiHtBu₂ is formed together with tBu₂SiH‐O‐SiOHtBu₂. The disiloxanes tBu₂SiX‐O‐SiYtBu₂ (X = Y = Cl, Br) can be synthesized almost quantitatively from tBu₂SiH‐O‐SiHtBu₂ with Cl₂ and Br₂ in CH₂Cl₂. The structures of the disiloxanes tBu₂SiX‐O‐SiYtBu₂ (X = H, Y = OH; X = Y = OH, Br) show almost linear Si‐O‐Si units with short Si‐O bonds. Single crystals of the adducts tBu₃SiOH·(HO₃SCF₃)_0.5·H₂O and tBu₃SiOLi·(LiO₃SCF₃)₂·(H₂O)₂ have been obtained from the reaction of tBu₃SiOH with CF₃SO₃H and of tBu₃SiO₃SCF₃ with LiOH. According to the result of the X‐ray structural analysis (hexagonal, P‐62c), tBu₃SiOLi · (LiO₃SCF₃)₂·(H₂O)₂ features the ion pair [(tBu₃SiOLi)₂(LiO₃SCF₃)₃(H₂O)₃Li]⁺ [CF₃SO₃]^?. The central framework of the cation forms a trigonal Li₆ prism.     

Equilibrium Formation of Stable All‐Silicon Versions of 1,3‐Cyclobutanediyl

Main group analogues of cyclobutane‐1,3‐diyls are fascinating due to their unique reactivity and electronic properties. So far only heteronuclear examples have been isolated. Here we report the isolation and characterization of all‐silicon 1,3‐cyclobutanediyls as stable closed‐shell singlet species from the reversible reactions of cyclotrisilene c‐Si₃Tip₄ (Tip=2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl) with the N‐heterocyclic silylenes c‐[(CR₂CH₂)(NtBu)₂]Si: (R=H or methyl) with saturated backbones. At elevated temperatures, tetrasilacyclobutenes are obtained from these equilibrium mixtures. The corresponding reaction with the unsaturated N‐heterocyclic silylene c‐(CH)₂(NtBu)₂Si: proceeds directly to the corresponding tetrasilacyclobutene without detection of the assumed 1,3‐cyclobutanediyl intermediate.     

A Manganese(II) Coordination Polymer with Ditopic Bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borate Bridges

The synthesis and characterization of the ditopic bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borate ligand Li₂[p‐C₆H₄(B(C₆F₅)pz₂)₂] is reported (pz = pyrazol‐1‐yl). Compared to the corresponding t‐butyl derivative Li₂[p‐C₆H₄(B(t‐Bu)pz₂)₂], the C₆F₅‐substituted scorpionate is significantly more stable towards hydrolysis. Reaction of Li₂[p‐C₆H₄(B(C₆F₅)pz₂)₂] with two equivalents of MnCl₂ leads to the formation of coordination polymers {(MnCl₂)₂(Li(THF)₃)₂[p‐C₆H₄(B(C₆F₅)pz₂)₂]}_∞ featuring penta‐coordinate Mn^II ions chelated by one bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borate fragment and further bonded to three chloride ions. Two of the three chloride ions are also coordinated to a neighbouring Mn^II ion; the third chloro ligand is shared between the Mn^II centre and a Li(THF)₃ moiety.     

A Combined Experimental and Computational Study on the Cycloisomerization of 2‐Ethynylbiaryls Catalyzed by Dicationic Arene Ruthenium Complexes

Ruthenium‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of 2‐ethynylbiaryls was investigated to identify an optimal ruthenium catalyst system. A combination of [η⁶‐(p‐cymene)RuCl₂(PR₃)] and two equivalents of AgPF₆ effectively converted 2‐ethynylbiphenyls into phenanthrenes in chlorobenzene at 120 °C over 20 h. Moreover, 2‐ethynylheterobiaryls were found to be favorable substrates for this ruthenium catalysis, thus achieving the cycloisomerization of previously unused heterocyclic substrates. Moreover, several control experiments and DFT calculations of model complexes were performed to propose a plausible reaction mechanism.     

Linearization of second-order reaction data

Reaction data described by the second-order growth function A(t) = A_∞(αt) (1 + αt)^?1, where A_∞ is the ultimate value of the product concentration A(t), can be linearized by plotting a suitable function F(t) against the time (t). The slope of the straight line obtained is (2α), where α is the product of the rate constant (k₂) and the initial concentration of either reactant, with the result that k₂ can be determined without knowledge of A?. Optimal determination of the parameter α requires that data taking be limited to the interval 0 ≤ t ≤ T, where (αT) is approximately 4.0. Numerical data derived from an experiment on the exchange of lead by zinc ions in the enzyme carbonic anhydrase are analyzed to illustrate the method. The effects of small errors in the initial concentrations and of small deviations from second-order kinetics are briefly discussed.     

Stereo‐dynamics of the F + HCl → HF + Cl reaction

We present a quasi‐classical trajectory (QCT) study on product polarization for the reaction F(²P) + HCl(v = 0, j = 0) → HF + Cl(²P) on a recently computed 1² A′ ground‐state surface reported by Deskevich et al. J Chem Phys, 2006, 124, 224303. Four polarization dependent generalized differential cross‐sections (2π/σ)(dσ₀₀/dω_t), (2π/σ)(dσ₂₀/dω_t), (2π/σ)(dσ₂₂₊/dω_t), and (2π/σ)(dσ_21?/dω_t) were calculated in the center‐of‐mass frame at four different collision energies. The obtained P(θ_r), P(?_r), and P(θ_r, ?_r), which denote respectively the distribution of angles between k and j′, the distribution of dihedral angle denoting k‐k′‐j′ correlation and the angular distribution of product rotational vectors in the form of polar plots, indicate that the degree of rotational alignment of the product HF molecule is strong and the degree of the rotational alignment decreases as collision energy increases. The product rotational angular momentum vector j′ is not only aligned, but also oriented along the y‐axis, and the molecular rotation of the product prefers an in‐plane reaction mechanism rather than the out‐of‐plane mechanism. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Syntheses and properties of hyperbranched polybenzoxazole by thermal cyclodehydration of hyperbranched poly[o‐(t‐butoxycarbonyl)amide] via A2 + B3 approach

The syntheses and properties of hyperbranched poly(o‐hydroxyamide) [poly(HAB‐BCC)‐ABP], poly[o‐(t‐butoxycarbonyl)amide] [poly(HAB‐BCC)‐ABP‐t‐BOC], and polybenzoxazole [poly(HAB‐cycloBCC)] were examined. Poly(HAB‐BCC)‐ABP was obtained from the polycondensation reaction of 3,3‐dihydroxy‐4,4′‐diaminobiphenyl (HAB) as an A₂‐monomer and 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylchloride (BCC) as a B₃‐monomer with 2‐amino‐4‐t‐butylphenol (ABP) in NMP in the presence of pyridine for 24 h. The reaction of poly(HAB‐BCC)‐ABP and di‐t‐buthylcarbonate (DiBOC) was performed to obtain the corresponding poly(HAB‐BCC)‐ABP‐t‐BOC with pendant t‐BOC groups. The thermal cyclodehydration of poly(HAB‐BCC)‐ABP‐t‐BOC was carried out in the film sate at 400 °C, affording the poly(HAB‐cyclo‐BCC) in quantitative yield. Furthermore, the solubilities and thermal properties of these polymers were examined. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3640–3649, 2006     

Cyanidverbrückte Koordinationspolymere aus cis‐ oder trans‐[Ru(tBuNC)4(CN)2] und MnCl2: Zum Einfluß unterschiedlicher Topologien auf die magnetischen Eigenschaften von Materialien

Cyanide Bridged Coordination Polymers from cis‐ or trans‐[Ru(^tBuNC)₄(CN)₂] and MnCl₂: About the Influence of Different Topologies on the Magnetic Properties of Materials The reaction of cis‐ or trans‐[Ru(^tBuNC)₄(CN)₂] with MnCl₂ as an additional transition metal fragment yields the one dimensional coordination polymers {cis‐[Ru(CN)₂(^tBuNC)₄] MnCl₂}_n, ( 1 ), and {trans‐[Ru(CN)₂(^tBuNC)₄]MnCl₂}_n, ( 2 ), with a different arrangement of the metal centers caused by the different stereochemistry of the starting compounds. The variation of the Ru‐C‐N‐Mn geometry nevertheless leads to significant differences in the magnetic properties of 1 and 2 . The coordination polymer derived from trans‐[Ru(^tBuNC)₄(CN)₂] shows a more efficient antiferromagnetic intrachain interaction between the manganese centers compared to the cis‐derivative.     

A kinetic study of the high temperature rearrangement of 4‐ethyl‐3,5‐diphenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole

The kinetics of the thermal rearrangement 4‐ethyl‐3,5‐diphenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazoles, 1 , to the corresponding 1‐ethyl‐3,5‐diphenyl‐1‐alkyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazoles, 2 , was studied in 15‐Crown‐5 and octadecane at 330 °C. The reaction was very slow in octadecane but proceed well in 15‐Crown‐5. The reaction order for the reaction was not constant but changed from an initial second order rate law towards a first order rate law as the reaction progressed. This was confirmed by the concentration dependent reaction order, n_c, which was larger than the time dependent rate law, n_t. The rationale for the observation was, that at high substrate concentrations the reaction order was second order while at lower concentrations a competing solvent assisted reaction plays an increasing important role. The data were in agreement with a mechanism in which the neutral 4‐alkyl‐triazoles in an intermolecular nucleophilic displacement reaction form a triazolium triazolate, which in a subsequent nucleophilic reaction gives the observed product.     

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⁺.