“Living” radical polymerization of styrene catalyzed by cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complexes bearing nonlabile ligands

Cationic substitutionally inert cyclometalated ruthenium (II) and osmium (II) complexes, ([Mt(o‐C₆H₄‐2‐py)(LL)₂]PF₆), where LL‐1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) or 2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy), were used for radical polymerization of styrene. Gradual modification of the complexes within the series allowed comparison of the catalytic activity and the redox properties. There was no correlation between the reducing powers of the complexes and their catalytic activities. The osmium compound of the lowest reduction potential was not active. All the ruthenium complexes catalyzed the polymerization of styrene in a controlled manner; but the level of control and the catalytic activity were different under the same polymerization conditions. [Ru(o‐C₆H₄‐2‐py)(phen)₂]PF₆ demonstrated the best catalytic performance though its redox potential was the highest. It catalyzed the “living” polymerization with a reasonable rate at a catalyst‐to‐initiator ratio of 0.1. 1 equiv. of Al(OiPr)₃ accelerated the polymerization and improved the control, but higher amount of Al(OiPr)₃ did not speed up the polymerization and moved the process into the uncontrollable regime. Under the most optimal conditions, the controlled polymerization occurs fast without any additive and the catalyst degradation. Added free ligands inhibited the polymerization suggesting that the catalytically active ruthenium intermediates are generated via the reversible dechelation of bidentate phen or bipy ligands. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3814–3828, 2009     

Efficient DNA Condensation Induced by Ruthenium(II) Complexes of a Bipyridine‐Functionalized Molecular Clip Ligand

Complexes of the type [Ru(bxbg)₂(N‐N)]²⁺, where N‐N denotes 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) ( 1 ), 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) ( 2 ), dipyrido[3,2‐d:2′,3‐f] quinoxaline (dpq) ( 3 ), and dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine (dppz) ( 4 ), incorporating bis(o‐xylene)bipyridine‐glycoluril (bxbg) as an ancillary “molecular clip” ligand, have been synthesized and characterized. These ruthenium(II) complexes of bis(o‐xylene)bipyridine‐glycoluril self‐associate in water through specific molecular recognition processes to form polycationic arrays. These arrays containing electrostatic binders as well as intercalator ligands at micromolar doses rapidly condense free DNA into globular nanoparticles of various sizes. The DNA condensation induced by these complexes has been investigated by electrophoretic mobility assay, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The cellular uptake of complex–DNA condensates and the low cytotoxicity of these complexes satisfy the requirements of a gene vector.     

Structural Studies Reveal Enantiospecific Recognition of a DNA G‐Quadruplex by a Ruthenium Polypyridyl Complex

By using X‐ray crystallography, we show that the complexes Λ/Δ‐[Ru(TAP)₂(11‐CN‐dppz)]²⁺ (TAP=1,4,5,8‐tetraazaphenanthrene, dppz=dipyridophenazine) bind DNA G‐quadruplex in an enantiospecific manner that parallels the specificity of these complexes with duplex DNA. The Λ complex crystallises with the normally parallel stranded d(TAGGGTTA) tetraplex to give the first such antiparallel strand assembly in which syn‐guanosine is adjacent to the complex at the 5′ end of the quadruplex core. SRCD measurements confirm that the same conformational switch occurs in solution. The Δ enantiomer, by contrast, is present in the structure but stacked at the ends of the assembly. In addition, we report the structure of Λ‐[Ru(phen)₂(11‐CN‐dppz)]²⁺ bound to d(TCGGCGCCGA), a duplex‐forming sequence, and use both structural models to provide insight into the motif‐specific luminescence response of the isostructural phen analogue enantiomers.     

Ruthenium(II)–arene complexes of diimines: Effect of diimine intercalation and hydrophobicity on DNA and protein binding and cytotoxicity

A series of half‐sandwich Ru(II)–arene complexes [Ru(η⁶‐benzene)(diimine)Cl](PF₆) ( 1 – 4 ), where diimine is 1,10‐phenanthroline ( 1 ), 5,6‐dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline ( 2 ), dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine ( 3 ) or 11,12‐dimethyldipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine ( 4 ), have been isolated and characterized using analytical and spectral methods. Complex 2 possesses a familiar pseudo‐octahedral ‘piano‐stool’ structure. The intrinsic DNA binding affinity of the complexes depends upon the diimine ligand: 3 (dppz) > 4 (11,12‐dmdppz) > 2 (5,6‐dmp) > 1 (phen). The π‐stacking interaction of extended planar ring of coordinated dppz ( 3 ) in between the DNA base pairs is more intimate than that of phen ( 1 ), and the incorporation of methyl groups on the dppz ring ( 4 ) discourages the stacking interaction leading to a lower DNA binding affinity for 4 than 3 . Docking studies show that all the complexes bind in the major groove of DNA. Interestingly, 3 shows an ability to convert supercoiled DNA into nicked circular DNA even at 20 μM concentration beyond which complete oxidative DNA degradation is observed. The protein binding affinity of the complexes decreases in the order 4 > 3 > 2 > 1 , and the higher protein binding affinity of 4 illustrates the strong involvement of methyl groups on dppz ring in hydrophobic interaction with protein. Also, 4 cleaves protein more efficiently than the other complexes in the presence of H₂O₂. It is notable that 2 , 3 and 4 display cytotoxicity against human cervical cancer cell lines (SiHa) with potency higher than the currently used drug cisplatin. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining studies reveal that 3 induces apoptosis in cancer cells much more efficiently than 4 .     

Experimental and DFT Studies on the DNA-binding Properties of Ruthenium(II) Complexes [Ru(phen)2L]2+(L = o-MOP, o-MP, o-CP and o-NP)

A series of ruthenium(II) complexes with electron-donor or electron-acceptor groups in intercalative ligands, [Ru(phen)₂(o-MOP)]²⁺ (1), [Ru(phen)₂(o-MP)]²⁺ (2), [Ru(phen)₂(o-CP)]²⁺ (3) and [Ru(phen)₂(o-NP)]²⁺ (4), have been synthesized and characterized by elementary analysis, ES-MS, ¹H NMR, electronic absorption and emission spectra. The binding properties of these complexes to CT-DNA have been investigated by spectroscopy and viscosity experiments. The results showed that these complexes bind to DNA in intercalation mode and their intrinsic binding constants (K_b) are 1.1, 0.35, 0.53 and 1.7 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, respectively. The subtle but detectable differences occurred in the DNA-binding properties of these complexes are mainly ascribed to the electron-withdrawing abilities of substituents (–OCH₃ < –CH₃ < –Cl < –NO₂) on the intercalative ligands as well as the intramolecular H-bond (for substituent –OCH₃) which increase the planarity area of the intercalative ligand to some extent. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations were also performed and used to further discuss the trend in the DNA-binding affinities of these complexes.     

Design and spectroscopic study of new ruthenium(II) complexes containing ligands derived from terpyridine and dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine: {Ru(4′‐Rph‐tpy) [dppz(COOH)]Cl}PF6 with R = NO2, Br,Cl

A series of polypyridine ruthenium complexes of the general formula {Ru(Rph‐tpy)[dppz(COOH)]Cl} PF₆ with R = Br ( 1 ), Cl ( 2 ), NO₂ ( 3 ) where Rph‐tpy is 4′‐(4‐Rphenyl‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine and dppz(COOH) is dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine‐2‐carboxylic acid were prepared and characterized. These complexes display intense metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) bands centered about 500 nm. The effect of pH on the absorption spectra of these complexes consisting of protonatable ligands has been investigated in water solution by spectrophotometric titration. The electrochemistry shows oxidation potentials for the Ru(II)–Ru(III) couple at +0.881 ( 1 ), +0.907 ( 2 ) and +0.447 V ( 3 ), respectively. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

trans‐(Cl)‐[Ru(5,5′‐diamide‐2,2′‐bipyridine)(CO)2Cl2]: Synthesis,Structure, and Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Activity

A series of trans‐(Cl)‐[Ru(L)(CO)₂Cl₂]‐type complexes, in which the ligands L are 2,2′‐bipyridyl derivatives with amide groups at the 5,5′‐positions, are synthesized. The C‐connected amide group bound to the bipyridyl ligand through the carbonyl carbon atom is twisted with respect to the bipyridyl plane, whereas the N‐connected amide group is in the plane. DFT calculations reveal that the twisted structure of the C‐connected amide group raises the level of the LUMO, which results in a negative shift of the first reduction potential (E_p) of the ruthenium complex. The catalytic abilities for CO₂ reduction are evaluated in photoreactions (λ>400 nm) with the ruthenium complexes (the catalyst), [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine; the photosensitizer), and 1‐benzyl‐1,4‐dihydronicotinamide (the electron donor) in CO₂‐saturated N,N‐dimethylacetamide/water. The logarithm of the turnover frequency increases by shifting E_p a negative value until it reaches the reduction potential of the photosensitizer.     

Honeycomb‐like Ordered Assembly of DNA Induced by Flexible Binuclear Ruthenium(II)–Polypyridyl Complexes

A series of binuclear ruthenium(II)–polypyridyl complexes of the type [Ru₂(N‐N)₄(BPIMBp)]⁴⁺, in which N‐N is 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy; 1 ), 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen; 2 ), dipyrido[3,2‐d:2′,3‐f] quinoxaline (dpq; 3 ), dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c] phenanzine (dppz; 4 ), and 1,4′‐bis[(2‐pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1,1′‐biphenyl (BPIMBp) is a bridging ligand, have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes are charged (4+) cations and flexible due to the ?CH₂ group of the bridging ligand and possess terminal ligands with variable intercalative abilities. The interaction of complexes 1 – 4 with calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) was explored by using UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, steady‐state emission, emission quenching with K₄[Fe(CN)₆], ethidium bromide displacement assay, Hoechst displacement assay, and viscosity measurements and revealed a groove‐binding mode for all the complexes through a spacer and an intercalative mode for complexes 3 and 4 . A decrease in the viscosity of DNA revealed bending and coiling of DNA, an initial step toward aggregation. Interestingly, a distinctive honeycomb‐like ordered assembly of the DNA–complex species was visualized by fluorescence microscopy in the solution state. The use of SEM and AFM confirmed the disordered self‐organization of the DNA–complex adduct on evaporation of the solvent. The small orderly nanosized DNA aggregates were confirmed by means of circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and TEM. These complexes are moderately cytotoxic against three different cell lines, namely, MCF‐7, HeLa, and HL‐60.     

DNA-binding studies of mixed ligand cobalt(III) complexes

The DNA binding characteristics of mixed ligand complexes of the type [Co(en)₂(L)]Br₃ where en = N,N′-ethylenediamine and L = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione), dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppz) have been investigated by absorption titration, competitive binding fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The order of intercalative ability of the coordinated ligands is dppz > phen > phendione > bpy in this series of complexes.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Metal Complexes of two Novel Pyridine‐Derived Macrocyclic Ligands Bearing o‐ and p‐Nitrobenzyl Pendant Groups

The pendant‐armed ligands L¹ and L² were synthesized by N‐alkylation of the two secondary aminic groups of the oxaazamacrocyclic precursor L with o‐nitrobenzylbromide (L¹) or p‐nitrobenzylbromide (L²). Metal complexes of L¹ and L² have been synthesized and characterized by microanalysis, MS‐FAB, conductivity measurements, IR, UV‐Vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and magnetic studies. Crystal structures of ligands L¹ and L², as well as complexes [CdL¹(NO₃)₂]·2CH₃CN and [Ag₂Br(L²)₂](ClO₄)·2CH₃CN have been determined by single crystal X‐ray crystallography.     

Tuning the Excited State of Photoactive Building Blocks for Metal‐Templated Self‐Assembly

The reaction of 2,2′:4,4′′:4′,4′′′‐quaterpyridyl (qtpy), with d⁶ ruthenium(II) (Ru^II), and rhenium(I) (Re^I) metal centers has been investigated. The pendant pyridyl groups on the products have also been methylated to produce a second series of complexes containing coordinated Meqtpy²⁺. The absorption spectra of the complexes are dominated by intraligand and charge‐transfer bands. The ruthenium(II) complexes display broad unstructured luminescence consistent with emission from a Ru(d)→diimine(π*) manifold in acetonitrile solutions. In aqueous solutions, their emissions are weaker and the lifetimes are shorter. This effect is particularly acute for complexes incorporating coordinated dipyridylpyrazine, dppz, ligands. Although the emission of the ruthenium(II) complexes containing Meqtpy²⁺ is generally shorter than their qtpy analogs, it is notable that solvent‐dependent effects are much less intense. The rhenium(I) complexes also display broad unstructured luminescence but, compared with the ruthenium(II) systems, they have a relatively short lifetime in acetonitrile. Electrochemical studies reveal that all of the Ru^II complexes display chemically reversible metal‐based oxidations. Re^I complexes only display irreversible metal‐based oxidations. In most cases, the reduction processes were not fully chemically reversible. The electrochemical and optical studies reveal that the nature of the lowest excited state of these complexes—particularly, the systems incorporating dppz—is highly dependent on the nature of the coordinated ligands. Calculations indicate that, although the excited state of most of the complexes is centered on the qtpy or Meqtpy²⁺ ligands, the excited state of the complexes containing dppz ligands is switched away from the dppz by qtpy methylation. A crystallographic study on one of the dicationic ruthenium(II) structures reveals that it forms an inclusion complex with benzene.     

Photophysical Properties of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl DNA Intercalators: Effects of the Molecular Surroundings Investigated by Theory

The environmental effects on the structural and photophysical properties of [Ru(L)₂(dppz)]²⁺ complexes (L=bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, phen=1,10‐phenanthroline, tap=1,4,5,8‐tetraazaphenanthrene; dppz=dipyrido[3,3‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine), used as DNA intercalators, have been studied by means of DFT, time‐dependent DFT, and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations. The electronic characteristics of the low‐lying triplet excited states in water, acetonitrile, and DNA have been investigated to decipher the influence of the environment on the luminescent behavior of this class of molecules. The lowest triplet intra‐ligand (IL) excited state calculated at λ≈800 nm for the three complexes and localized on the dppz ligand is not very sensitive to the environment and is available for electron transfer from a guanine nucleobase. Whereas the lowest triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (³MLCT) states remain localized on the ancillary ligand (tap) in [Ru(tap)₂(dppz)]²⁺, regardless of the environment, their character is drastically modified in the other complexes [Ru(phen)₂(dppz)]²⁺ and [Ru(bpy)₂(dppz)]²⁺ upon going from acetonitrile (MLCT_dppz/phen or MLCT_dppz/bpy) to water (MLCT_dppz) and DNA (MLCT_phen and MLCT_bpy). The change in the character of the low‐lying ³MLCT states accompanying nuclear relaxation in the excited state controls the emissive properties of the complexes in water, acetonitrile, and DNA. The light‐switching effect has been rationalized on the basis of environment‐induced control of the electronic density distributed in the lowest triplet excited states.     

Copper complexes as chemical nucleases

Redox active mononuclear and binuclear copper(II) complexes have been prepared and structurally characterized. The complexes have planar N-donor heterocyclic bases like 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), dipyridoquinoxaline (dpq) and dipyridophenazine (dppz) ligands that are suitable for intercalation to B-DNA. Complexes studied for nuclease activity have the formulations [Cu(dpq)₂(H₂O)] (ClO₄)₂.H₂O (1), [CuL(H₂O)₂(μ-ox)](ClO₄)₂ (L = bpy,2; phen,3; dpq,4; and dppz,5) and [Cu(L)(salgly)] (L = bpy,6; phen,7; dpq,8; and dppz,9), where salgly is a tridentate Schiff base obtained from the condensation of glycine and salicylaldehyde. The dpq complexes are efficient DNA binding and cleavage active species. The dppz complexes show good binding ability but poor nuclease activity. The cleavage activity of thebis-dpq complex is significantly higher than thebis-phen complex of copper(II). The nuclease activity is found to be dependent on the intercalating nature of the complex and on the redox potential of the copper(II)/copper(I) couple. The ancillary ligand plays a significant role in binding and cleavage activity.     

Cobalt(III), nickel(II) and ruthenium(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline family of ligands: DNA binding and photocleavage studies

DNA binding and photocleavage characteristics of a series of mixed-ligand complexes of the type [M(phen)₂LL]ⁿ⁺ (where M = Co(III), Ni(II) or Ru(II), LL = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), phenanthroline-dione (phen-dione) or dipyridophenazine (dppz) andn = 3 or 2) have been investigated in detail. Various physico-chemical and biochemical techniques including UV/Visible, fluorescence and viscometric titration, thermal denaturation, and differential pulse voltammetry have been employed to probe the details of DNA binding by these complexes; intrinsic binding constants (K _b) have been estimated under a similar set of experimental conditions. Analysis of the results suggests that intercalative ability of the coordinated ligands varies as dppz>phen>phen-dione in this series of complexes. While the Co(II) and Ru(II) complexes investigated in this study effect photocleavage of the supercoiled pBR 322 DNA, the corresponding Ni(II) complexes are found to be inactive under similar experimental conditions. Results of detailed investigations carried out inquiring into the mechanistic aspects of DNA photocleavage by [Co(phen)₂(dppz)]³⁺ have also been reported.     

Visible‐Light‐Driven Hydrogen Production and Polymerization using Triarylboron‐Functionalized Iridium(III) Complexes

The development of novel iridium(III) complexes has continued as an important area of research owing to their highly tunable photophysical properties and versatile applications. In this report, three heteroleptic dimesitylboron‐containing iridium(III) complexes, [Ir(p‐B‐ppy)₂(N^N)]⁺ {p‐B‐ppy=2‐(4‐dimesitylborylphenyl)pyridine; N^N=dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine (dppz) ( 1 ), dipyrido[3,2‐d:2′,3′‐f]quinoxaline (dpq) ( 2 ), and 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) ( 3 )}, were prepared and fully characterized electrochemically, photophysically, and computationally. Altering the conjugated length of the N^N ligands allowed us to tailor the photophysical properties of these complexes, especially their luminescence wavelength, which could be adjusted from λ=583 to 631 nm in CH₂Cl₂. All three complexes were evaluated as visible‐light‐absorbing sensitizers for the photogeneration of hydrogen from water and as photocatalysts for the photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate. The results showed that all of them were active in both photochemical reactions. High activity for the photosensitizer (over 1158 turnover numbers with 1 ) was observed, and the system generated hydrogen even after 20 h. Additionally, poly(methyl methacrylate) with a relatively narrow molecular‐weight distribution was obtained if an initiator (i.e., ethyl α‐bromophenylacetate) was used. The living character of the photoinduced polymerization was confirmed on the basis of successful chain‐extension experiments.     

Ruthenium Complex “Light Switches” that are Selective for Different G‐Quadruplex Structures

Recognition and regulation of G‐quadruplex nucleic acid structures is an important goal for the development of chemical tools and medicinal agents. The addition of a bromo‐substituent to the dipyridylphenazine (dppz) ligands in the photophysical “light switch”, [Ru(bpy)₂dppz]²⁺, and the photochemical “light switch”, [Ru(bpy)₂dmdppz]²⁺, creates compounds with increased selectivity for an intermolecular parallel G‐quadruplex and the mixed‐hybrid G‐quadruplex, respectively. When [Ru(bpy)₂dppz‐Br]²⁺ and [Ru(bpy)₂dmdppz‐Br]²⁺ are incubated with the G‐quadruplexes, they have a stabilizing effect on the DNA structures. Activation of [Ru(bpy)₂dmdppz‐Br]²⁺ with light results in covalent adduct formation with the DNA. These complexes demonstrate that subtle chemical modifications of Ru^II complexes can alter G‐quadruplex selectivity, and could be useful for the rational design of in vivo G‐quadruplex probes.     

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⁺.     

Biocidal and catalytic efficiency of ruthenium(III) complexes with tridentate Schiff base ligands

The reaction of the Schiff bases (obtained by condensing isatin with o‐aminophenol/o‐aminothiophenol/o‐aminobenzoic acid) with [RuX₃(EPh₃)₃] (where X = Cl/Br; E = P/As) in benzene afforded new, air‐stable Ru(III) complexes of the general formula [Ru(L)X(EPh₃)₂] (L = dianion of tridentate Schiff bases). In all these reactions, the Schiff base ligand replaces one triphenylphosphine/triphenylarsine and two chlorides/bromides from the ruthenium precursors. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, spectral (FT–IR, UV–vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR for the ligands, and EPR) and electrochemical studies. All the metal complexes exhibit characteristic LMCT absorption bands in the visible region. The catalytic reactivity proved these complexes to be efficient catalysts in the oxidation of alcohols and C? C coupling. All the complexes were screened for their biocidal efficiency against bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli and fungi such as Botrytis cinerea and Aspergillus niger at 0.25, 0.50 and 1% concentrations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactions of the molybdenum(II) dicarbonyl complexes with mercury(II) halides and pseudohalides

The reactions of the molybdenum(II) dicarbonyl complexes, [MoBr(π-allyl)(CO)₂(L)₂] (L = CH₃CN, py) and (MoBr(π-allyl)(CO)₂(L,L)] (L,L = bipy, phen, dppe) with HgX₂ (X = Cl, CN, SCN) give several new complexes via a displacement reaction involving Br or/and L ligands or a simple adduct formation reaction.     

Synthesis, DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of [Ru(phen)2(pbtp)] and [Ru(bpy)2(pbtp)] (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; pbtp = 4,5,9,11,14-pentaaza-benzo[b]triphenylene)

Based on the ligand dppz (dppz = dipyrido-[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine), a new ligand pbtp (pbtp = 4,5,9,11,14-pentaaza-benzo[b]triphenylene) and its polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(phen)₂(pbtp)]²⁺ (1) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and [Ru(bpy)₂(pbtp)]²⁺ (2) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The DNA-binding of these complexes were investigated by spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. The experimental results indicate that both complexes 1 and 2 bind to CT-DNA in classical intercalation mode, and can enantioselectively interact with CT-DNA. It is interesting to note that the pbtp ruthenium(II) complexes, in contrast to the analogous dppz complexes, do not show fluorescent behavior when intercalated into DNA. When irradiated at 365 nm, both complexes promote the photocleavage of pBR 322 DNA.