Synthesis,DNA-binding,and photocleavage studies of ruthenium(II) complexes with an asymmetric ligand

An asymmetric ligand (pdpiq?=?2-(pyridine-2-yl)-6,7-diphenyl-1-H-imidazo[4,5-g]quinoxaline) and its ruthenium complexes with [Ru(L)₂pdpiq]²⁺ (L?=?bpy (2,2′-bipyridine) or phen (1,10-phenanthroline)) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS, and ¹H NMR. The DNA-binding behaviors of these complexes were studied by spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that the complexes can intercalate into DNA base pairs. When irradiated at 365?nm, the two complexes promote the cleavage of plasmid pBR322DNA. The mechanism of DNA cleavage is an oxidative process by generating singlet oxygen.     

Effects of the ancillary ligands of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes on the DNA-binding and photocleavage behaviors

The new polypyridyl ligand MIP {MIP = 2-(2,3-methylenedioxyphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f]1,10-phenanthroline} and its ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(phen)₂(MIP)]²⁺ (1) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) and [Ru(dmp)₂(MIP)]²⁺ (2) (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, MS and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The DNA-binding properties of the two complexes to calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were investigated by different spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements, as well as equilibrium dialysis and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The results suggest that complex 1 binds to CT-DNA through intercalation, and complex 2 binds to CT-DNA via a partial intercalative mode. This difference in binding mode probably is caused by the different ancillary ligands. Also, when irradiated at 400 nm, complex 1 was found to be a more-effective DNA-cleaving agent than complex 2.     

Synthesis, characterization and DNA-binding and DNA-photocleavage studies of two Ru(II) complexes containing two main ligands and one ancillary ligand

DNA-binding and DNA-photocleavage properties of two Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(L¹)(dppz)₂](PF₆)₄ (1) and [Ru(L²)(dppz)₂](PF₆)₄ (2) (L¹ = 5,5′-di(1-(triethylammonio)methyl)-2,2′-dipyridyl cation; L² = 5,5′-di(1-(tributylammonio)methyl)-2,2′-dipyridyl cation; dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine, have been investigated. Experimental results show that the DNA-binding affinity of complex 1 is greater than that of 2, both complexes emit luminescence in aqueous solution, either alone or in the presence of DNA, complex 1 can bind to DNA in an intercalative mode while 2 most likely interacts with DNA in a partial intercalation fashion, and complex 2 serves as a better candidate for enantioselective binding to CT-DNA compared with 1. Moreover, complex 1 reveals higher efficient DNA cleavage activity than 2, during which supercoiled DNA is converted to nicked DNA with both complexes. Theoretical calculations for the two complexes have been carried out applying the density functional theory (DFT) method at the level of the B3LYP/LanL2DZ basis set. The calculated results can reasonably explain the obtained experimental trends in the DNA-binding affinities and binding constants (K_b) of these complexes.     

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.     

Synthesis,characterization and DNA-binding properties of Ru(II) complexes coordinated by ofloxacin as potential antitumor agents

Three Ru complexes coordinated by oxfloxacin, [Ru(L)₂(OFX)]Cl·2H₂O (L = bpy, 1; dmbpy, 2; phen, 3; and OFX = ofloxacin), were synthesized and characterized. These complexes can inhibit the growth of cervical cancer HeLa cells efficiently. Furthermore, these three complexes exhibited excellent binding affinities with DNA, as confirmed by spectroscopy methods and viscosity experiments. Therefore, the synthesized Ru(II) complexes have excellent DNA-binding abilities with potential applications in cancer chemotherapy.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA-binding and DNA-photocleavage studies of [Ru(bpy)2(BPIP)] and [Ru(phen)2(BPIP)] (BPIP = 2-(4′-biphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline)

New ligand 2-(4′-biphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (BPIP) and its complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(BPIP)]²⁺ (1) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and [Ru(phen)₂(BPIP)]²⁺ (2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by mass spectroscopy, ¹H NMR and cyclic voltammetry. The interaction of two Ru(II) complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated by spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. Results indicate that both complexes bind to DNA via an intercalative mode and the DNA-binding affinity of complex 2 is much greater than that of complex 1. Furthermore, when irradiated at 365 nm, both complexes have also been found to promote the photocleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and DNA-binding properties of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes with dicationic 2,2′-dipyridyl derivatives as ligands

New Ru(II) complexes with dicationic ligand, [Ru(phen)₂L¹]⁴⁺(1) and [Ru(phen)₂L²]⁴⁺(2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; L: L¹ = 5,5′-di(1-(triethylammonio)methyl)-2,2′-dipyridyl cation; L² = 5,5′-di(1-(tributylammonio)methyl)-2,2′-dipyridyl cation) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The interaction of these complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated. The intrinsic binding constants (K_b: 1, 7.73 × 10⁴ M⁻¹; 2, 2.50 × 10⁴ M⁻¹) determined by absorption spectral titrations of these complexes with CT-DNA indicate the DNA-binding affinity of 1 is stronger than that of 2. Both complexes can display luminescence either alone in aqueous solution or in the presence of DNA. Equilibrium dialysis experiments monitored by CD spectroscopy reveal the preferential binding of the Δ-enantiomer to the right-handed CT-DNA. DNA-viscosity studies suggest that the binding modes are different, 1 may partially intercalate between DNA base-pairs while 2 most likely interact with DNA in an electrostatic binding mode.     

Synthesis, characterization and DNA-binding studies of ruthenium(II) mixed-ligand complexes containing dipyrido[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline

A novel ligand dipyrido[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline (dpoq) and its complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(dpoq)]²⁺ and [Ru(phen)₂(dpoq)]²⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electrospray mass spectra and ¹H NMR. The interaction of Ru(II) complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated by absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, thermal denaturation and viscosity measurements. Results suggest that two Ru(II) complexes bind to DNA via an intercalative mode.     

Study of the interaction between ruthenium(II) complexes and CT-DNA: synthesis,characterisation, photocleavage and antimicrobial activity studies

Two polypyridyl ligands 6-fluro-3-(1H-imidazo [4,5-f] [1,10]-phenanthroline-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one (FIPC), 6-chloro-3-(1H-imidazo [4,5-f] [1,10]-phenanthroline-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one (ClIPC) polypyridyl ligands and their Ru(II) complexes [Ru(bipy)₂FIPC]²⁺(1), [Ru(dmb)₂FIPC]²⁺(2), [Ru(phen)₂FIPC]²⁺(3), [Ru(bipy)₂ClIPC]²⁺(4), [Ru(dmb)₂ClIPC]²⁺(5) and [Ru(phen)₂ClIPC]²⁺(6) ((bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, dmb = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, Mass spectra, IR, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR. The DNA-binding of the six complexes to calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated by different spectrophotometric, fluorescence and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that 1–6 complexes bind to CT-DNA through intercalation. The variation in binding affinities of these complexes is rationalised by a consideration of electrostatic, steric factors and nature of ancillary ligands. Under irradiation at 365 nm, the three complexes have also been found to promote the photocleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA. Inhibitor studies suggest that singlet oxygen (¹O₂) plays a significant role in the cleavage mechanism of Ru(II) complexes. Thereby, under comparable experimental conditions [Ru(phen)₂FIPC]²⁺(3), [Ru(phen)₂ClIPC]²⁺(6) cleaves DNA more effectively than 1, 2, 4 and 5 complexes do. The Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes (1–6) have been screened for antimicrobial activities.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,antimicrobial, DNA-binding,and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of some bio-sensitive Schiff base copper(II) complexes

Schiff base mixed-ligand copper complexes [CuL¹(phen)Cl₂], [CuL¹(bipy)Cl₂], [Cu(L¹)₂Cl₂], [Cu(L²)₂Cl₂], [CuL²(bipy)Cl₂], and [CuL²(phen)Cl₂] (where L^1?=?4-[3,4-dimethoxy-benzylidene]-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-pyrazole-3-one; L^2?=?4-[3-hydroxy-4-nitro-benzylidene]-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-pyrazole-3-one; phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline; and bipy?=?2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized. Their DNA-binding properties have been studied by electronic absorption spectra, viscosity, and electrochemical measurements. The absorption spectral and viscosity results suggest that the copper(II) complexes bind to DNA via partial intercalation. The addition of DNA resulting in the decrease of the peak current of the copper(II) complexes indicates their interaction. Interaction between the complexes and DNA has also been investigated by submarine gel electrophoresis. The copper complexes cleave supercoiled pUC19 DNA to nicked and linear forms through hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid as the reducing agent. These copper complexes promote the photocleavage of pUC19 DNA under irradiation at 360?nm. Mechanistic study reveals that singlet oxygen is likely to be the reactive species responsible for the cleavage of plasmid DNA by the synthesized complexes. The in vitro antimicrobial study indicates that the metal chelates have higher activity against the bacterial and fungal strains than the free ligands.     

DNA-binding and photocleavage of fluorescein-porphyrinatozinc complexes

Three fluorescein-porphyrinatozinc(II) complexes, Zn(Fl-HPTTP) (1) (Fl-HPTTP?=?5-(4-fluoresceinhexyloxy)phenyl-10,15,20-tritolylporphyrin), Zn(Fl-HPTPP) (2) (Fl-HPTPP?=?5-(4-fluoresceinhexyloxy)phenyl-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin), and Zn(Fl-HPTCPP) (3) (Fl-HPTCPP?=?5-(4-fluoresceinhexyloxy)phenyl-10,15,20-tri(4-chloro)phenylporphyrin), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, ES-MS, and ¹H NMR. The DNA-binding behaviors of these complexes with calf-thymus DNA (ct-DNA) were investigated by UV-Vis absorption titration, fluorescence spectra, viscosity measurements, thermal denaturation, and circular dichroism. The results suggest that 1, 2, and 3 interact with ct-DNA by intercalation and the DNA-binding affinities of these fluorescein-porphyrinatozinc(II) complexes may be closely associated with electronic effects of the substituent group introduced on the porphyrin ring of the ligands. The DNA-binding affinity (K _b values) follows the order 1?>?2?>?3. In addition, their photocleavage reactions with pBR322 supercoiled plasmid DNA were investigated by gel electrophoresis experiments. All complexes exhibit significant DNA cleavage activity. The cleavage ability of the fluorescein-porphyrinatozinc(II) complexes follows the order 1?>?2?>?3, in parallel to the magnitude of their intrinsic binding constants.     

Synthesis of a ruthenium(II) polypyridine complex with 1,10-phenanthrolineselenazole as ligand and investigation of its G-quadruplex DNA-binding properties

A new Ru(II) complex, [Ru(bpy)₂L](ClO₄)₂ (bpy?=?2,2′-bipyridine, L?=?1,10-phenanthrolineselenazole), has been synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS, and ¹H NMR. The interaction of human telomeric oligomer 5′-AG₃(T₂AG₃)₃-3′ with the Ru(II) complex was explored by competition FRET experiment, ?uorescence titration, circular dichroism spectroscopy, thermal denaturation, polymerase chain reaction stop assay, and TRAP assay. The Ru(II) complex can selectively bind to G-quadruplex DNA. The results indicated that the complex not only induces a remarkable conformational change of human telomeric DNA, but also has the ability to stabilize the G-quadruplex.     

Effect of substituents on DNA-binding behaviors of ruthenium(II) complexes: [Ru(dmb)2(dtmi)]2+ and [Ru(dmb)2(dtni)]2+

Two Ru(II) complexes [Ru(dmb)₂(dtmi)](ClO₄)₂ (1) (dmb = 4, 4′-dimethyl-2, 2′-bipyridine, dtmi = 3-(pyrazin-2-yl)-as-triazino[5, 6-f]-5-methoxylisatin) and [Ru(dmb)₂(dtni)](ClO₄)₂ (2) (dtni = 3-(pyrazin-2-yl)-as-triazino[5, 6-f]-5-nitroisatin) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS, and ¹H NMR. DNA-binding behaviors of these complexes have been investigated by spectroscopic titration, viscosity measurements, and thermal denaturation. The results indicate that the two complexes interact with calf thymus DNA by intercalation.     

A DFT/TDDFT study on the structures, trend in DNA-binding and spectral properties of molecular “light switch” complexes [Ru(phen)2(L)](L = dppz, taptp, phehat)

Theoretical studies on a series of molecular “light switch” complexes [Ru(phen)₂L]²⁺ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; L: dppz = dipyrido [3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine; taptp = 4,5,9,18-tetraazaphenanthreno-[9,10-b]triphenylene; phehat = 1,10-phenanthrolino[5,6-b]1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene) 1-3 have been carried out applying DFT/TDDFT (density functional theory and time-dependent DFT) methods. The geometric and electric structure-characteristics of these complexes have been revealed, and the trend in their DNA-binding constants (K_b), i.e., K_b (2) < K_b (3) < K_b (1), which closely relates to the luminescence properties of the complexes in DNA, has been reasonably explained. The results show that simply increasing the planar area of intercalative ligand may be ineffective on improvement of DNA-binding of resulting complex because of going with the increase in the LUMO (and LUMO + x) energy, but introducing some heteroatoms (e.g., N atom) with stronger electronegativity into the ring skeleton of intercalative ligand should be effective because of the decrease in the LUMO (and LUMO + x) energy to a certain extent. In addition, the spectra of this series of complexes in vacuo are also computed, simulated, and minutely discussed by the DFT/TDDFT methods, and it is interesting to find that the symmetries of the excited and accepting orbitals of the transition with the largest f value are the same.     

Synthesis,characterization, antitumor,and cytotoxic activity of mononuclear Ru(II) complexes

In the search for antitumor active metal complexes several ruthenium complexes have been reported to be promising. A series of mononuclear Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(T)₂(S)]²⁺, where T?=?2,2′-bipyridine/1,10-phenanthroline and S?=?CH₃-bitsz, Cl-bitsz, Br-bitsz, tmtsz, dmtsz, have been prepared and characterized by UV-Vis, IR, ¹H-NMR, FAB-mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The complexes were subjected to in vivo anticancer activity against a transplantable murine tumor cell line Ehrlich's ascitic carcinoma (EAC) and in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell line Molt 4/C₈, CEM, and murine tumor cell line L1210. Ruthenium complexes showed promising biological activity especially in decreasing tumor volume and viable ascitic cell counts. Treatment with these complexes prolonged the life span of EAC-tumor-bearing mice by 10–48%. In vitro evaluation of these ruthenium complexes revealed cytotoxic activity from 0.21 to 24?µmol?L^?1 against Molt 4/C₈, 0.16–19?µmol?L^?1 against CEM, and 0.75–32?µmol?L^?1 against L1210 cell proliferation, depending on the nature of the compound.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,DNA-binding properties,and antioxidant activity of a V-shaped ligand bis(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine and its zinc(II) complex

A V-shaped ligand bis(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine (L) and its zinc(II) complex, [ZnL ₂](pic)₂?·?2CH₃CN (pic?=?picrate), have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that the Zn(II) complex possesses a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Supramolecular interactions arising from various intra- or intermolecular π···π stacking interactions contributed to the form of the multidimensional configuration. Interactions of L and Zn(II) complex with DNA were monitored using spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that L and Zn(II) complex both bind to DNA via intercalation and Zn(II) complex binds to DNA more strongly than L. Moreover, the Zn(II) complex also exhibited potential antioxidant properties in vitro.     

Synthesis,characterization, and fluorescence properties of dinuclear cadmium(II) complexes

Four dinuclear cadmium(II) complexes, [Cd₂(L¹)(μ₂-Cl)Cl₂] (1), [Cd₂(L²)(μ₂-Cl)Cl₂] (2), [Cd₂(L³)(μ₂-Cl)Cl₂] (3), and [Cd₂(L⁴)₃ClO₄] (4), where HL¹ = 4-methyl-2,6-bis(1-(2-piperidinoethyl)iminomethyl)-phenol, HL² = 4-methyl-2,6-bis(1-(2-pyrrolidinoethyl)iminomethyl)-phenol, HL³ = 4-methyl-2,6-bis(1-(2-morpholinoethyl)iminomethyl)-phenol and HL⁴ = 4-methyl-2,6-bis(cyclohexylmethyl)iminomethyl)-phenol, were synthesized. They were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–Vis, fluorescence and electronspray ionization mass spectroscopy. Complexes 1 and 4 were also characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. The cadmiums atoms in 1 are linked by μ₂-chloride in a distorted square pyramidal geometry, whereas cadmium atom in 4 is in a distorted octahedral environment. The complexes show emission bands around 500 nm with excitation at 395 nm.     

The DNA-binding behavior and DFT calculation of ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(phen)2L](ClO4)2 (L = HMOPIP and MOHPIP)

Two ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(phen)₂HMPIP]²⁺ (1) and [Ru(phen)₂MHPIP]²⁺ (2), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The DNA-binding properties of 1 and 2 have been investigated by electronic and emission spectra and viscosity experiments. The results show that both 1 and 2 can bind to DNA in intercalating mode, with 1 exhibiting stronger binding affinity. These were confirmed by the strong hypochromism at IL and MLCT absorption bands in both complexes when DNA was added into solution, and the increase in relative viscosity of CT-DNA in the presence of both complexes. Moreover, the calculated intrinsic binding constant for 1 and 2 from the decay of electronic spectra is 3.82 × 10⁵ and 2.06 × 10⁵ M^?1, respectively. Finally, the effects of the substituent groups on the DNA-binding behavior of ruthenium(II) complexes have also been rationally discussed by computer calculation of density functional theory (DFT) methods.