THE EPR SPECTRA OF TETRADENTATE SCHIFF BASE COMPLEXES OF COPPER (II) I. N,N'-Bis-(acetylacetone) ethylenediimine and N,N'-Bis-(1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetone) ethylenediimine

Abstract

The EPR spectrum of N, N'-bis-(acetylacetone)ethylenediimino Cu(II), [Cu-en(acac)₂], and N, N'-bis-(1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetone)ethylenediimino-Cu(II), [Cu-en(tfacac)₂], have been studied in doped single crystals of the corresponding Ni(II) chelate. The parameters in the usual doublet spin-Hamiltonian are found to be: Cu[en(acac)₂], g_z =2.183 ± 0.003, g_x =2.047 ± 0.004, g_y =2.048 ± 0.004, A_z =204.8 × 10^?4cm^?1, A_x =31.5 × 10^?4cm^?1, A_y =27.1 × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_zN= 12.8 × 10^?4 cm^?1 and A_xN =A_yN =14.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1: Cu[en(tfacac)₂], g_z =2.192 ± 0.002, g_x =2.048 ± 0.004, g_y =2.046 ± 0.004, A_z =200.8 × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_x =31.1 × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_y =28.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_zN =12.8 × 10^?4 cm^?1 and A_xN =A_yN =14.6 × 10^?4 cm^?1. These parameters are related to coefficients in the molecular orbitals of the complex. It is found that the α-bonding is quite covalent and there is significant in-plane σ-bonding. From the nitrogen hyperfine structure it is determined that the hybridization on the nitrogen is sp².     

Through bond mechanism versus exciplex formation in the photochemistry of fullerene / ferrocene donor-bridge-acceptor dyads

A systematic fluorescence and flash photolytic investigation of a series of covalently linked fullerene / ferrocene based donor-bridge-acceptor dyads is reported as a function of the nature of the bridge between the donor site and acceptor site. The fluorescence of the investigated dyads 2 (Φ_rel = 0.17 × 10^?4, 3 (Φ_rel = 0.78 × 10^?4), 4 (Φ_rel = 1.5 × 10^?4), 5 (Φ_rel = 0.7 × 10^?4), and 6 (Φ_rel = 2.9 × 10^?4) were substantially quenched, relative to N-methyl fulleropyrrolidine (1) (Φ_rel = 6.0 × 10^?4). Photolysis of N-methyl fulleropyrrolidine (1) in toluene revealed formation of the excited singlet state which was followed by a rapid intersystem crossing to the excited triplet state. On the other hand, the fate of the excited singlet state of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 was found to be governed by rapid intramolecular quenching, with rate constants of 28×10⁹ s^?1, 6.9×10⁹ s^?1, and 3.4×10⁹ s^?1, 14×10⁹ s^?1, 2.3×10⁹ s^?1 respectively. The electron transfer process and the charge separation were confirmed by monitoring the characteristic π-radical anion bands at λ_max = 400 and 1055 nm in degassed benzonitrile with τ_1/2 = 1.8 μs (3) and 2.5 μs (4).     

THE EPR SPECTRA OF TETRADENTATE SCHIFF BASE COMPLEXES OF COPPER (II) II. N,N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediimine and 7-methyl-N,N'-bis (salicylidene)ethylenediimine

Abstract

The EPR spectra of single crystals of ⁶³Cu(II) doped N, N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediimine Ni(II), [Ni(sal)₂en] and 7-methyl-N, N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediimine Ni(II), [Ni(7-me sal)₂en] have been studied. The usual doublet spin-Hamiltonian parameters for the complexes have been found to be: Cu(II)[(sal)₂en]; g _z =2.192 ± 0.002; g _x =2.046 ± 0.004; g _y =2.049 ± 0.004; A _z =201.0 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A _x =29.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A _y =31.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A^N _z =12.6 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^N _x =14.5 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^N _y =15.7 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^H _z =6.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^H _x =7.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^H _y =7.9 × 10^?4 cm^?1; Cu(II)[(7-me sal)₂en]; g _z =2.189 ± 0.002; g _x =2.037 ± 0.004; g _y =2.046 ± 0.004; A _z =203.0 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A _x =36.9 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A _y =22.7 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^N _z =12.6 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^N _x =13.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^N _y =14.0 × 10^?4 cm^?1. Values of molecular orbital coefficients calculated for these complexes show that their bonding properties are similar to those of other compounds of this type. There is considerable covalency in the metal-ligand [sgrave]-bonds, and significant in-plane pi-bonding is present.     

Solubility studies in aqueous media: I. Solubility product of silver permanganate and standard electrode potentials of silver—silver permanganate electrode in aqueous media

The solubility and solubility product of silver permanganate in water have been determined at the temperatures ranging from 15 to 35°C over 5°C intervals in the presence of an added electrolyte, sodium perchlorate. The solubility of silver permanganate ranges from 0.966 x 10^?5 mol 1^?1 at 15°C to 1.420x10^?5 moll^?1 at 35°C and the corresponding solubility product 0.933 x 10^?10 mol² 1^?2 at 15°C to 2.017 x 10^?10 mol² 1^?2 at 35°C. The standard potentials of the Ag(s)/AgMnO₄(s)/ MnO^?₄ electrode have been calculated at these temperatures. The mean activity coefficients of silver permanganate at various rounded molarities of sodium perchlorate solutions, and the standard thermodynamic quantities for the process AgMnO₄(s)→Ag⁺ (aq)+MnO^?₄(aq) have been calculated at these temperatures.     

On the mechanism of the Co2(CO)8 catalyzed hydroformylation of olefins in hydrocarbon solvents. A high pressure UV and IR study

High pressure IR and UV spectroscopic experiments confirm the Heck and Breslow mechanism of the hydroformylation of 1-octene and cyclohexene with Co₂(CO)₈ as the starting catalyst. The major repeating unit is HCo(CO)₄, which is formed via the reaction of acylcobalt tetracarbonyl with H₂. The rates are 6.7 × 10^?4 mol l^?1 min^?1 and 8.8 × 10^?5 mol l^?1 min^?1 for 1-octene and cyclohexene, respectively at 80°C and 95 bar CO/H₂ = 1 in methylcyclohexane. The alternative reaction of RCOCo(CO)₄ with HCo(CO)₄ is only a minor pathway, with rates of 1.8 × 10^?5 mol l^?1 min^?1 and 1.1 × 10^?5 mol l^?1 min^?1 for 1-octene and cyclohexene, respectively. It represents an exit from the catalytic cycle. The activation of the catalyst precursor Co₂(CO)₈ is the slowest step of the reaction.     

Spectrophotometric study of complexes of mercury(II) with mono- and dithiosemicarbazones

The formation of complexes at pH 4.7 of the Hg(II) with five monothiosemicarbazone and two dithiosemicarbazone has been studied. The mercury(II) reacts with monothiosemicarbazones of salicylaldehyde (λ_max = 363 nm, E = 1.69 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1), pi-colinadehyde (λ_max = 363 nm, E = 2.38 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1), 6-methyl-picolinaldehyde (λ_max = 363 nm, E = 2.28 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1), di-2-pyridylketone (λ_max = 380 nm, E = 2.08 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1), and o-naphthoquinone (λ_max = 540 nm, E = 1.03 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1) and with dithiosemicarbazones of 1,4-dihydroxyphthalimide (λ_max = 430 nm, E = 2.56 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1) and dipyridylglyoxal (λ_max = 363 nm, E = 2.37 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1). A critical comparison of the stoichiometry and apparent stability constant of complexes with mono- and dithiosemicarbazones is given.     

TETRAETHYLPHYROPHOSPHITE AS A BRIDGING LIGAND IN A BIMETALLIC RUTHENIUM(II) - RUTHENIUM(II) COMPLEX

Abstract

The complex μ-TEPP-trans-bis[P(OEt)₃Ru(NH₃)₄]₂(PF₆)₄ has been prepared and characterized by microanalysis, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy (λ_max=299 nm, ?=6.4 × 10² M^?1 cm^?1; λ_max=262 nm, ?=8.6 × 10² M^?1 cm^?1), and cyclic voltammetry (E°'=+0.64 V versus S.C.E., 25°, μ=0.10 M NaCf₃COO, C_H+=1 × 10^?3 M). In aqueous solutions, ([H⁺] > 1 × 10^?4 M), the binuclear species undergoes hydrolysis yielding the mononuclear species trans-(Ru(NH₃)₄P(OEt)₃(H₂O)]²⁺ with a specific rate constant of 2.4 × 10^?5 sec^?1 at 25° δH^#=84.5 kJ mol^?1; δS^#=?49.4 J mol^?1 K^?1.     

Nanostructured Cobalt(II) Tetracarboxyphthalocyanine Complex Supported Within the MWCNT Frameworks: Electron Transport and Charge Storage Capabilities

The electrochemical redox properties of a surface‐confined thin solid film of nanostructured cobalt(II) tetracarboxyphthalocyanine integrated with multiwalled carbon nanotube (nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT) have been investigated. This novel nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT material was characterized using SEM, TEM, zeta analysis and electrochemical methods. The nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT nanohybrid material exhibited an extra‐ordinarily high conductivity (15 mS cm^?1), which is more than an order of magnitude greater than that of the MWCNT‐SO₃H (527 µS cm^?1) and three orders of a magnitude greater than the nanoCoTCPc (4.33 µS cm^?1). The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant decreases as follows: nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT (k_app≈19.73×10^?3 cm s^?1)>MWCNT‐SO₃H (k_app≈11.63×10^?3 cm s^?1)>nanoCoTCPc (k_app≈1.09×10^?3 cm s^?1). The energy‐storage capability was typical of pseudocapacitive behaviour; at a current density of 10 µA cm^?2, the pseudocapacitance decreases as nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT (3.71×10^?4 F cm^?2)>nanoCoTCPc (2.57×10^?4 F cm^?2)>MWCNT‐SO₃H (2.28×10^?4 F cm^?2). The new nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT nanohybrid material promises to serve as a potential material for the fabrication of thin film electrocatalysts or energy‐storage devices.     

Electrochemical Responses and Sensitivities of Films Based on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Aqueous Solutions

Novel films consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated by means of chemical vapor deposition with decomposition of either acetonitrile (ACN) or benzene (BZ) using ferrocene as catalyst. The electrochemical responses of MWCNT-based films towards the ferrocyanide/ferricyanide, [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? redox couple were probed by means of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at 25.0?±?0.5?°C. Both MWCNT-based films exhibit Nernstian response towards [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? with some slight kinetic differences. Namely, heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants lying in ranges of 2.69?×?10^?2?C1.7?×?10^?3 and 9.0?×?10^?3?C2.6?×?10^?3?cm·s^?1 were obtained at v?=?0.05?V·s^?1 for MWCNT_ACN and MWCNT_BZ, respectively. The detection limit of MWCNT_ACN, estimated to be about 4.70?×?10^?7?mol·L^?1 at v?=?0.05?V·s^?1, tends to become slightly poorer with the increase of the scan rate, namely at v?=?0.10?V·s^?1 the detection limit of 1.70?×?10^?6?mol·L^?1 was determined. Slightly poorer response ability was exhibited by MWCNT_BZ; specifically the detection limits of 1.57?×?10^?6 and 4.35?×?10^?6?mol·L^?1 were determined at v?=?0.05 and v?=?0.10?V·s^?1, respectively. The sensitivities of MWCNT_ACN and MWCNT_BZ towards [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? were determined as 1.60?×?10^?7 and 1.51?×?10^?7?A·L·mol^?1·cm^?2, respectively. The excellent electrochemical performance of MWCNT_ACN is attributed to the presence of incorporated nitrogen in the nanotube??s structure.     

Studies of layered uranium (VI) compounds. VI. Ionic conductivities and thermal stabilities of MUO2PO4 · nH2O,where M = H,Li,Na,K,NH4 or 12Ca, and where n is between 0 and 4

We have measured the ionic conductivities of pressed pellets of the layered compounds MUO₂PO₄ · nH₂O, and correlated the results with TGA data. The conductivities (in ohm^?1 m^?1), at temperatures increasing with decreasing water content over the range 20 to 200°C, were approximately as follows: Li⁺4H₂O, 10^?4; Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and NH₄⁺3H₂O, 10^?4, 10^?2, 10^?4, and 10^?4; H⁺, Li⁺, and Na⁺1.5H₂O, 10^?2, 10^?4, and 10^?4; Na⁺1H₂O, 10^?5; H⁺, K⁺, and NH₄⁺0.5H₂O, all 10^?5; and H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, NH⁺₄, and $\text{1}\text{2}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{}\text{OH}{}_2\text{O}$, 10^?5, 10^?5, 10^?4, 10^?5, 10^?5, and 10^?6. A ring mechanism is proposed to account for the high conductivity found in NaUO₂PO₄ · 3.1H₂O. The accurate TGA data showed that most of the hydrates had water vacancies of the Schottky type, and should be represented as MUO₂PO₄(A ? x)H₂O, where x can be between 0 and 0.3.     

A Novel Potentiometric Membrane Sensor Based on Aryl Palladium Complex for Selective Determination of Thiocyanate in the Saliva and Urine of Cigarette Smokers

A highly selective potentiometric sensor for thiocyanate ion based on the use of a newly synthesized organo‐palladium ion exchanger complex dispersed in a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membrane is described. The sensor displays a Nernstian response (?57.8±0.2 mV decade^?1) over a wide linear concentration range of thiocyanate (1.0×10^?6–1.0×10^?1 mol L^?1 ), low detection limit (6.3×10^?7 mol L^?1), fast response (20 s), stable potential readings (±0.4 mV), good reproducibility (±0.9%), long term stability (8 weeks), high precision (±0.7%) and applicability over a wide pH range (4–10). Negligible interferences are caused by F^?, Cl^?, I^?, Br^?, NO₃^?, NO₂^?, CN^?, SO₄^2?, S₂O₃^2?, PO₄^3?, citrate, acetate and oxalate ions. Under hydrodynamic mode of operation (FIA), the calibration slope is ?51.1±0.1 mV decade^?1, the linear response range is 1.0×10^?5–1.0×10^?1 mol L^?1 SCN^? and the sample throughput is 40–45 per hour. The sensor is satisfactory used for manual and flow injection potentiometric determination of SCN^? in the saliva and urine of cigarette smokers and non smokers. The data agree fairly well with results obtained by the standard spectrophotometric technique. Direct potentiometry and potentiometric titration of SCN^? with Ag⁺ are also monitored with the sensor.     

Electrochemical oxidation determination and voltammetric behaviour of 4-nitrophenol based on Cu2O nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode

Cu₂O nanoparticles (nano-Cu₂O) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated and used to investigate the electrochemical behaviour of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA), chronocoulometry (CC) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Compared with GCE, a remarkable increase in oxidation peak current was observed. It indicates that nano-Cu₂O exhibits remarkable enhancement effect on the electrochemical oxidation of 4-NP. Under the optimised experimental conditions, the oxidation peak currents were propotional to 4-NP concentration in the range from 1.0?×?10^?6 to 4.0?×?10^?4?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 5.0?×?10^?7?mol?L^?1 (S/N?=?3). The fabricated electrode presented good repeatability, stability and anti-interference. Finally, the proposed method was applied to determine 4-NP in water samples. The recoveries for these samples were from 94.60% to 105.5%.     

Rate Coefficients of the Reactions of CN and NCO with O2 and NO2 at 296 K

The rate coefficients of the reactions of CN and NCO radicals with O₂ and NO₂ at 296 K: (1) CN + O₂ → products; (2) CN + NO₂ → products; (3) NCO + O₂ → products and (4) NCO + NO₂ → products have been measured with the laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence technique. We obtained k₁ = (2.1 ± 0.3) × 10^?11 and k₂ = (7.2 ± 1.0) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?t s^?1 which agree well with published results. As no reaction was observed between NCO and O₂ at 297 K, an upper limit of k₃ < 4 × 10^?17 cm³ molecule^?1 S^?1 was estimated. The reaction of NCO with NO₂ has not been investigated previously. We measured k₄ = (2.2 ± 0.3) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 296 K.     

Ozone–olefin reactions in the gas phase 1. Rate constants and activation energies

Reactions of ozone with simple olefins have been studied between 6 and 800 mtorr total pressure in a 220-m³ reactor. Rate constants for the removal of ozone by an excess of olefin in the presence of 150 mtorr oxygen were determined over the temperature range 280 to 360° K by continuous optical absorption measurements at 2537 Å. The technique was tested by measuring the rate constants k₁ and k₂ of the reactions (1) NO + O₃ → NO₂ + O₂ and (2) NO₂ + O₃ rarr; NO₃ + O₂ which are known from the literature. The results for NO, NO₂, C₂H₄, C₃H₆, 2-butene (mixture of the isomers), 1,3→butadiene, isobutene, and 1,1 -difluoro-ethylene are 1.7 × 10^{?1 4} (290°K), 3.24 × 10^?17 (289°K), 1.2 × 10^{?1 4} exp (–4.95 ± 0.20/RT), 1.1 × 10^{?1 4} exp (–3.91 ± 0.20/RT), 0.94 × 10^{?1 4} exp ( –2.28 ± 0.15/RT), 5.45 ± 10^{?1 4} exp ( –5.33 ± 0.20/RT), 1.8 ×10^?17 (283°K), and 8 × 10^?20 cm³/molecule ·s(290°K). Productformation from the ozone–propylene reaction was studied by a mass spectrometric technique. The stoichiometry of the reaction is near unity in the presence of molecular oxygen.     

Electrochemical investigation and determination of ceftazidime in pharmaceutical dosage forms and human urine

A voltammetric study of the oxidation of Ceftazidime (CEFT) has been carried out at the glassy carbon electrode by cyclic, differential pulse (DPV) and square wave (SWV) voltammetry. The oxidation of CEFT was irreversible and exhibited diffusion controlled process depending on pH. The oxidation mechanism was proposed and discussed. According to the linear relationship between the peak current and concentration, DPV and SWV voltammetric methods for CEFT assay in pharmaceutical dosage forms and human urine were developed. For analytical purposes, a well resolved diffusion controlled voltammetric peak was obtained in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ at 1.00 and 1.02 V for differential pulse and square wave voltammetric techniques, respectively. The linear response was obtained within the range of 4 × 10^?6?8 × 10^?5 M with a detection limit of 6 × 10^?7 M for differential pulse and 4 × 10^?6–2 × 10^?4 M with a detection limit of 1 × 10^?6 M for square wave voltammetric technique. The determination of CEFT in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ was possible over the 2 × 10^?6–1 × 10^?4 M range in urine sample for both techniques. The standard addition method was used for the recovery studies.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and non-linear optical properties of a new cyanide-containing compound

Reaction of K₃[Fe(CN)₆], NiCl₂ and diethylenetriamine (dien) resulted in the formation of a cyanide-containing heterometallic compound [Ni(dien)₂]₂[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O 1. The structure consists of two octahedral [Ni(dien)₂]²⁺ cations, one octahedral [Fe(CN)₆]^4? anion and four crystallization water molecules, which are held together by hydrogen-bonding interactions. Its TG curve exhibits two stages of mass loss. Compound 1 in DMF solutions has a very strong third-order non-linear optical (NLO) behavior with an absorption coefficient and refractive index α₂?=?1.10?×?10^?11?m?w^?1, n ₂?=??3.05?×?10^?19?m²?w^?1, respectively, and third-order NLO susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ 4.34?×?10^?13?esu.     

Pulsed radiolysis of perrhenate in neutral aqueous solution: Comparison with pertechnetate

Reaction of perrhenate with the aquated electron in neutral aqueous solution yields ReO₄^2? (k_f 1.3 × 10¹⁰ M^?1 s^?1), with an absorption maximum at 290 nm (ε 1700). This decays by a second-order path (k_d 1.5 × 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1) at a rate ～ 100-fold faster than the decay of TcO₄^2? under similar conditions.     

Determination of Methimazole and Carbimazole Using Polarography and Voltammetry

Abstract

Anodic waves of methimazole (I) (1-methylimidazole-2-thiol) and carbimazole (II) (1-ethoxycarbonyl-3-methyl-2-thio-4-imidazoline) on mercury electrodes correspond to mercury salt formation. Both compounds form in the thiono form a soluble complex at pH < 6, compound (I) at higher pH-values a slightly soluble salt of the thiol form. Electrode processes involving the thiol form are complicated by adsorption. Oxidation at solid electrodes occurs only at potentials more than 0.5 V more positive. For compound (I) spectrophotometry indicated pK_a=12.0 ± 0.2. By d.c. polarography in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ containing 10% ethanol the determination of both compounds is possible between 4 × 10^? and 1 × 10^?3 M, by differential pulse polarography between 1 × 10^? and 1 × 10^?4 M, by differential pulse voltammetry at HMDE between 5 × l0^?7 and 6 × 10^? M.     

Determination of Dopamine Using 2-(4-Boronophenyl)quinoline-4-carboxylic Acids as Fluorescent Probes

The selective identification of dopamine is a significant issue because this compound is an important neurotransmitter closely related to Parkinson’s disease and other mental disorders. 2-(4-Boronophenyl)quinoline-4-carboxylic acid (PBAQA) has been previously reported as a water-soluble fluorescent probe for catechol. However, there are no significant differences in the binding constants between catechol and catecholamines, such as dopamine or levodopa. Here a series of bis-boronic acid compounds based on PBAQA were synthesized and the binding activities were characterized. As a representative compound, the binding constant of 4-(4-((3-(3-borono-4-chlorobenzamido)propyl)carbamoyl)quinolin-2-yl)boronic acid to dopamine is up to 10⁴?L?mol^?1 and much higher than previously reported boronic acid probes. Dopamine selectivity may be achieved by the variation of the substituents in the probe molecules. 4-(4-((3-(3-Borono-4-methoxybenzamido)propyl)carbamoyl)quinolin-2-yl)boronic acid has a stronger binding affinity to dopamine (K_a=5204?±?106?L?mol^?1) than catechol (K_a=2588?±?273?L?mol^?1) or levodopa (K_a=2383?±?273?L?mol^?1). This fluorescence response was used for determining dopamine in a range from 5?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1 to 5?×?10^?4?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 7.7?×?10^?6?mol?L^?1. This compound has been successfully used for the assay of dopamine in rabbit plasma, exhibiting excellent specificity. It is believed that synthesized compounds hold great promise as practical platforms to monitor dopamine levels.     

Spectroscopy studies on DNA binding of two ruthenium complexes [Ru(MeIm)4(L)]2+ (L = iip and tip)

Two ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(MeIm)₄(L)]²⁺ (L?=?2-(imidazo-4-group)-1H-imidazo-[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, 2-(thiophene-2-group)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, MeIm?=?1-methylimidazole) have been synthesized according to literature and structurally characterized. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA has been explored using electronic absorption titration, competitive binding experiment, circular dichroism, thermal denaturation, and viscosity measurements. The results show that both complexes could bind DNA in a intercalation mode and the DNA-binding affinity of [Ru(MeIm)₄(tip)]²⁺ (K _b?=?(7.2?±?0.3)?×?10⁵?(mol?L^?1)^?1) is greater than that of [Ru(MeIm)₄(iip)]²⁺ (K _b?=?(6.1?±?0.2)?×?10⁵?(mol?L^?1)^?1).