Engineering of Portable Smartphone Integrated with Liposome-Encapsulated Curcumin for Onsite Visual Ratiometric Fluorescence Imaging of Hypochlorite

Precisely onsite monitoring of hypochlorite (ClO⁻) is of great significance to guide its rational use, reducing/avoiding its potential threat toward food safety and human health. Considering ClO⁻ could quench fluorescence of curcumin (CCM) by oxidizing the o-methoxyphenol of CCM into benzoquinone, a portable ratiometric fluorescence sensor integrated with smartphone was designed for realizing the visual point-of-care testing (POCT) of ClO⁻. The amphiphilic phospholipid polymer was used as carrier to wrap curcumin, forming a novel liposome-encapsulated CCM, which provided a scaffold to bind with [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ through electrostatic interaction, thus assembling [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺-functionalized liposome-encapsulated CCM ([Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺@CCM-NPs). Further integrated with smartphone, visual imaging of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺@CCM-NPs could be achieved and the accurate onsite detection of ClO⁻ could be realized with a detection limit of 66.31 nM and a linear range of 0.2210 to 80.0 μM. In addition, the sensor could monitor ClO⁻ in real samples with an onsite detection time of ∼154.0 s.     

Synthesis and properties of 6,6′-dithienyl-4,4′-bipyrimidine and its hetero- and homo-leptic Ru(II) complexes

Hetero- and homo-leptic Ru(II) complexes of a new 4,4′-bipyrimidine ligand, th₂bpm (6,6′-di(2″-thienyl)-4,4′-bipyrimidine), have been synthesized and characterized. The parent ligand th₂bpm has electron rich thiophene units on the periphery of a bidentate ligand which is capable of binding to metal ions. The heteroleptic complex of th₂bpm [Ru(bpy)₂th₂bpm]²⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) exhibits a Ru-to-bpm metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption centered at 547 nm and a Ru-to-bpy MLCT absorption centered at 438 nm. The assignment of the low energy absorption is supported by the relative ease of electrochemical reduction of the new complex as compared to [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺. The homoleptic complex, [Ru(th₂bpm)₃]²⁺, exhibits a Ru-to-bpm MLCT absorption at slightly higher energy (544 nm). Both complexes are emissive at room temperature in fluid solution and 5 is one of the lowest energy emitters based on tris-bidentate Ru(II) complexes known (λ_max = 770 nm). The luminescence spectra is red-shifted compared to [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and this effect is ascribed to the delocalization in the acceptor ligand.     

Zero-phonon and vibronic structure of [Os(bpy)32+ doped into single-crystal [Ru(bpy)3](ClO4)2

Highly resolved emission and absorption spectra of [Os(bpy)₃]²⁺, doped into single-crystal [Ru(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₂, are reported. Our investigations, at low temperatures (2⩽T⩽50 K) and high magnetic fields ( 0⩽H⩽6 T ), lead to the following results: The three lowest excited states of [Os(bpy)₃]²⁺ in this matrix are identified from zero-phonon transitions lying at 14169 ± cm⁻¹ (line I), 14230± cm⁻¹ (line II), and 14380 ± 2 cm⁻¹ (line III). These transitions are found at the same energies (within the experimental error of ± 2 cm⁻¹) in absorption and emission. The extinction coefficients of II and III are ≈ 10³ XXX mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ while the transition |0>→ |I> (line I) is strongly forbidden. However, under high magnetic fields this absorption line grows in due to a mixing of |I> with |II>. A large number of vibronic peaks is identified in the emission spectra. The corresponding vibrational modes are compared to Raman and IR data of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and [Os(bpy)₃]²⁺. Several distinct modes couple more strongly to the transition from the lowest excited state |I>, others to the transition from |II>, as is shown by investigating the magnetic field dependence of the emission spectra.     

Regulation of electron donating ability to metal center: isolation and characterization of ruthenium carbonyl complexes with N,N- and/or N,O-donor polypyridyl ligands

Polypyridyl ruthenium(II) dicarbonyl complexes with an N,O- and/or N,N-donor ligand, [Ru(pic)(CO)₂Cl₂]⁻ (1), [Ru(bpy)(pic)(CO)₂]⁺ (2), [Ru(pic)₂(CO)₂] (3), and [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)₂]²⁺ (4) (pic=2-pyridylcarboxylato, bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) were prepared for comparison of the electron donor ability of these ligands to the ruthenium center. A carbonyl group of [Ru(L1)(L2)(CO)₂]ⁿ (L1, L2=bpy, pic) successively reacted with one and two equivalents of OH⁻ to form [Ru(L1)(L2)(CO)(C(O)OH)]ⁿ⁻¹ and [Ru(L1)(L2)(CO)(CO₂)]ⁿ⁻². These three complexes exist as equilbrium mixtures in aqueous solutions and the equilibrium constants were determined potentiometrically. Electrochemical reduction of 2 in CO₂-saturated CH₃CN–H₂O at −1.5 V selectively produced CO.     

Photosensitized Generation of Singlet Oxygen from (Substituted Bipyridine)ruthenium(II) Complexes

Photophysical properties in dilute MeCN solution are reported for seven Ru^II complexes containing two 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) ligands and different third ligands, six of which contain a variety of 4,4′‐carboxamide‐disubstituted 2,2′‐bipyridines, for one complex containing no 2,2′‐bipyridine, but 2 of these different ligands, for three multinuclear Ru^II complexes containing 2 or 4 [Ru(bpy)₂] moieties and also coordinated via 4,4′‐carboxamide‐disubstituted 2,2′‐bipyridine ligands, and for the complex [(Ru(bpy)₂(L)]²⁺ where L is N,N′‐([2,2′‐bipyridine]‐4,4′‐diyl)bis[3‐methoxypropanamide]. Absorption maxima are red‐shifted with respect to [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, as are phosphorescence maxima which vary from 622 to 656 nm. The lifetimes of the lowest excited triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer states ³MLCT in de‐aerated MeCN are equal to or longer than for [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and vary considerably, i.e., from 0.86 to 1.71 μs. Rate constants k_q for quenching by O₂ of the ³MLCT states were measured and found to be well below diffusion‐controlled, ranging from 1.2 to 2.0⋅10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The efficiencies f of singlet‐oxygen formation during oxygen quenching of these ³MLCT states are relatively high, namely 0.53 – 0.89. The product of k_q and f gives the net rate constant k for quenching due to energy transfer to produce singlet oxygen, and k_q−k equals k, the net rate constant for quenching due to energy dissipation of the excited ³MLCT states without energy transfer. The quenching rate constants were both found to correlate with ΔG^CT, the free‐energy change for charge transfer from the excited Ru complex to oxygen, and the relative and absolute values of these rate constants are discussed.     

Nanoscale Metal–Organic Layers for Deeply Penetrating X‐ray‐Induced Photodynamic Therapy

We report the rational design of metal–organic layers (MOLs) that are built from [Hf₆O₄(OH)₄(HCO₂)₆] secondary building units (SBUs) and Ir[bpy(ppy)₂]⁺‐ or [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺‐derived tricarboxylate ligands (Hf‐BPY‐Ir or Hf‐BPY‐Ru; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, ppy=2‐phenylpyridine) and their applications in X‐ray‐induced photodynamic therapy (X‐PDT) of colon cancer. Heavy Hf atoms in the SBUs efficiently absorb X‐rays and transfer energy to Ir[bpy(ppy)₂]⁺ or [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ moieties to induce PDT by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ability of X‐rays to penetrate deeply into tissue and efficient ROS diffusion through ultrathin 2D MOLs (ca. 1.2 nm) enable highly effective X‐PDT to afford superb anticancer efficacy.     

Two‐Photon Chemistry in Ruthenium 2,2′‐Bipyridyl‐Functionalized Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes are widely used as light harvesters in dye‐sensitized solar cells. Since one of the potential applications of single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and their derived materials is their use as active components in organic and hybrid solar cells, the study of the photochemistry of SWCNTs with tethered ruthenium polypyridyl complexes is important. A water‐soluble ruthenium tris(bipyridyl) complex linked through peptidic bonds to SWCNTs (Ru‐SWCNTs) was prepared by radical addition of thiol‐terminated SWCNT to a terminal C?C double bond of a bipyridyl ligand of the ruthenium tris(bipyridyl) complex. The resulting macromolecular Ru‐SWCNT (≈500 nm, 15.6 % ruthenium complex content) was water‐soluble and was characterized by using TEM, thermogravimetric analysis, chemical analysis, and optical spectroscopy. The emission of Ru‐SWCNT is 1.6 times weaker than that of a mixture of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and SWCNT of similar concentration. Time‐resolved absorption optical spectroscopy allows the detection of the [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺‐excited triplet and [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺. The laser flash studies reveal that Ru‐SWCNT exhibits an unprecedented two‐photon process that is enabled by the semiconducting properties of the SWCNT. Thus, the effect of the excitation wavelength and laser power on the transient spectra indicate that upon excitation of two [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ complexes of Ru‐SWCNT, a disproportionation process occurs leading to delayed formation of [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺ and the performance of the SWCNT as a semiconductor. This two‐photon delayed [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺ generation is not observed in the photolysis of [Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺; SWCNT acts as an electron wire or electron relay in the disproportionation of two [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ triplets in a process that illustrates that the SWCNT plays a key role in the process. We propose a mechanism for this two‐photon disproportionation compatible with i) the need for high laser flux, ii) the long lifetime of the [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ triplets, iii) the semiconducting properties of the SWNT, and iv) the energy of the HOMO/LUMO levels involved.     

Spectral Properties of Ruthenium(II) Mixed-Ligands Complexes with 2,2'-Bipyridyl and Phosphines

Spectral-kinetic luminescence characteristics of the complexes cis-[Ru(bpy)(dppe)X2], cis- [Ru(bpy)2(PPh₃)X](BF₄) and cis-[Ru(bpy)₂X₂] [bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl, dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, PPh₃ is triphenylphosphine, X = NO₂ ^- and CN^-] in the ethanol-methanol 4:1 mixtures and adsorbed on the oxide SiO₂ or porous polyacrylonitrile polymer surface were studied. Luminescence and luminescence exitation spectra were registered at 77 and 293 K in 230-750 nm range and the luminescence decay time was measured. Introduction of phosphine ligands to the ruthenium(II) bipyridyl complexes inner sphere leads to rise in singlet and triplet state energy at the charge transfer from Ru(II) to 2,2'-bipyridyl in the series [Ru(bpy)₂X₂] < Ru(bpy)₂(PPh₃)X](BF₄) < [Ru(bpy)(dppe)X₂]. The complex adsorption on SiO₂ or polyacrylonitrile surface affects noticeably the luminescence spectro-kinetic characteristics.     

Photocatalytic degradation of chloroform by bis (bipyridine)dichlororuthenium(III/II)

Broadband (λ > 320 nm) irradiation of chloroform solutions of either [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂] or [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂]Cl exposed to air led to a photostationary state, in which [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂]⁺ predominated, and to the continuous decomposition of CHCl₃, as evidenced by the accumulation of HCl, hydroperoxides (CCl₃OOH and CHCl₂OOH), and tetra-, penta-, and hexachloroethane. The addition of Cl^? increased the rate of photodecomposition, while the replacement of Cl^? by F^? greatly decreased the rate. The observations are consistent with a photocatalytic cycle in which [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂]⁺ is photochemically reduced to [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂], which is thermally reoxidized by CCl₃OO or CCl₃OOH. In the absence of air a much slower photodecomposition reaction takes place leading to continuously increasing concentrations of chloroethanes. The data are consistent with a catalytic cycle in which [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂]⁺ is photoreduced, as in aerated solutions, while [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂] is photooxidized with chloroform as the substrate.     

Evidence for symmetry reduction in excited states of [Ru(bpy)3]+ and related compounds

Photoselection and other spectroscopic data for [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, [Ru(phen)₃]²⁺, [Ru(bpy)(py)₄]²⁺ and [Os(bpy)₃]²⁺ suggest that the emitting state for the tris compounds may be localized on a single ring.     

一系列Ru(II)配合物电致化学发光性质的比较研究

比较研究了以C₂O₄^2－为共反应物时5个结构相关的Ru(II)配合物[Ru(bpy)₂L¹]^2＋, [Ru(bpy)₂L²]^2＋, [Ru(bpy)₂L³]^2＋, [Ru(phen)₂L¹]^2＋和[Ru(phen)₂L²]^2＋(其中bpy＝2,2′-联吡啶, phen＝1,10-邻菲啰啉, L¹＝4-羧基苯基咪唑[4,5-f][1,10]邻菲啰啉, L²＝3-羧基-4-羟基苯基咪唑[4,5-f][1,10]邻菲啰啉, L³＝3,4-二羟基苯基咪唑[4,5-f][1,10]邻菲啰啉)的电致化学发光(ECL)性质. 结果表明, 酚羟基的存在能有效地淬灭Ru(II)配合物[Ru(bpy)₂L²]^2＋, [Ru(bpy)₂L³]^2＋和[Ru(phen)₂L²]^2＋的ECL, 其它Ru(II)配合物的ECL量子效率与[Ru(bpy)₃]^2＋相差不大.     

Synthesis, characterization and electron transfer properties of some picolinate complexes of ruthenium

In aqueous solution ruthenium trichloride reacted with picolinic acid (Hpic) in the presence of a base to afford [Ru(pic)₃]. In solution it shows intense ligand-to-metal charge transfer transitions near 310 and 370 nm, together with a low-intensity absorption near 2000 nm. [Ru(pic)₃] is one-electron paramagnetic and shows a rhombic ESR spectrum in 1:1 dimethylsulphoxide-methanol solution at 77 K. The distortions from octahedral symmetry have been calculated by ESR data analysis. The axial distortion is larger than the rhombic one. In acetonitrile solution it shows a reversible ruthenium(III)-ruthenium(II) reduction at −0.09 V vs. SCE and a reversible ruthenium(III)-ruthenium(IV) oxidation at 1.52 V vs. SCE. Chemical or electrochemical reduction of [Ru^III(pic)₃] gives [Ru^II(pic)₃]⁻, which in solution shows intense MLCT transitions near 360, 410 and 490 nm, and is converted back to [Ru(pic)₃] by exposure to air. Reaction of [Ru(pic)₃] with 8-quinolinol (HQ) in dimethylsulphoxide solution affords [RuQ₃]. [Ru(bpy)(pic)₂] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) has been prepared by the reaction of Hpic with [Ru(bpy)(acac)₂]Cl (acac = acetylacetonate ion) in ethyleneglycol. It is diamagnetic and in solution shows intense MLCT transitions near 370, 410 and 530 nm. In acetonitrile solution it shows a reversible ruthenium(II)-ruthernium(III) oxidation at 0.44 V vs. SCE and a reversible one-electron reduction of bpy at − 1.64V vs. SCE.     

Assessing a Spectroelectrochemical Sensor’s Performance for Detecting [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in Natural and Treated Water

A spectroelectrochemical sensor that combines three modes of selectivity in a single device was evaluated in natural and treated water samples using tris‐(2,2′‐bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) dichloride hexahydrate, [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, as a model analyte. The sensor was an optically transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode coated with a thin film of partially sulfonated polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐ran‐butylene)‐block‐polystyrene (SSEBS). As the potential of the ITO electrode was cycled from +0.7 to +1.3 V, the analyte changed from the colored [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ complex to colorless [Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺ complex and the change in absorbance at 450 nm was used as the optical signal for quantification. Calibration curves were obtained for [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ in natural well water, river water and treated tap water with detection limits of 108, 139 and 264 nM, respectively. A standard addition method was developed to determine an ‘unknown’ spike addition concentration of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ in well water. The spectroelectrochemical sensor determined the concentration of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ spiked into a sample of Hanford well water to be 0.39±0.03 µM versus the actual concentration of 0.40 µM.     

Decay of Ru(BPY)3 3+ in thin nafion layers catalyzed by Co(II)

Catalytic oxidation of water by Ru(bpy)₃ ³⁺ in the presence of Co²⁺ ions, well known in homogeneous solution, has been investigated in thin Nafion layers. Nafion layers on ITO electrodes were equilibrated with Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺. Ru(bpy)₃ ³⁺ was produced by electrochemical oxidation after which the electrode was transferred into the reaction cell containing buffered Co²⁺ solution. The build up of Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺ absorbance at 454 nm was followed spectrophotometrically. The reaction rate is proportional to [Ru(III)], [Co²⁺] and [HPO₄ ^2-]. We found no evidence for a pH effect in the range 6–8, and no inhibition by Ru(II). A limiting rate of formation of Ru(II) is observed at high Co²⁺ or phosphate ion concentrations. At high local concentration of the Ru complex in the Nafion layer (~ 0.5 M), two Ru(II) formation processes are observed, their rates differ by one order, but other features (effects of [Ru(III)], [Ru(II)], [Co²⁺], phosphate and pH) remain unchanged. These results are in contrast with homogeneous solution where the rate of build up of Ru(II) has been previously reported to be proportional to [Ru(III)], [Co²⁺] and [OH^-]², and inversely proportional to [Ru(II)]. A mechanism is proposed which accounts for these observations.     

A New Heteroleptic Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complex with Long‐Wavelength Absorption and High Singlet‐Oxygen Quantum Yield

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes with long‐wavelength absorption and high singlet‐oxygen quantum yield exhibit attractive potential in photodynamic therapy. A new heteroleptic Ru^II polypyridyl complex, [Ru(bpy)(dpb)(dppn)]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, dpb=2,3‐bis(2‐pyridyl)benzoquinoxaline, dppn=4,5,9,16‐tetraaza‐dibenzo[a,c]naphthacene), is reported, which exhibits a ¹MLCT (MLCT: metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer) maximum as long as 548 nm and a singlet‐oxygen quantum yield as high as 0.43. Steady/transient absorption/emission spectra indicate that the lowest‐energy MLCT state localizes on the dpb ligand, whereas the high singlet‐oxygen quantum yield results from the relatively long ³MLCT(Ru→dpb) lifetime, which in turn is the result of the equilibrium between nearly isoenergetic excited states of ³MLCT(Ru→dpb) and ³ππ*(dppn). The dppn ligand also ensures a high binding affinity of the complex towards DNA. Thus, the combination of dpb and dppn gives the complex promising photodynamic activity, fully demonstrating the modularity and versatility of heteroleptic Ru^II complexes. In contrast, [Ru(bpy)₂(dpb)]²⁺ shows a long‐wavelength ¹MLCT maximum (551 nm) but a very low singlet‐oxygen quantum yield (0.22), and [Ru(bpy)₂(dppn)]²⁺ shows a high singlet‐oxygen quantum yield (0.79) but a very short wavelength ¹MLCT maximum (442 nm).     

Synthesis,Photophysical, and Electrochemical Properties of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes containing Open‐Chain Crown Ether

Four polypyridyl bridging ligands BL¹⁻⁴ containing open‐chain crown ether, where BL¹⁻³ formed by the condensation of 4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐oxime with diethylene glycol di‐p‐tosylate, triethylene glycol di‐p‐tosylate, and tetraethylene glycol di‐p‐tosylate, respectively. BL⁴ formed by the reaction of 4‐(1,10‐phenanthrolin‐5‐ylimino)methylphenol with triethylene glycol di‐p‐tosylate, have been synthesized. Reaction of Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂·2H₂O with BL, respectively, afforded four bimetallic complexes [(bpy)₂RuBL¹⁻⁴Ru(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ as [PF₆]⁻ salts. Electrochemistry of these complexes is consistent with one Ru^II‐based oxidation and several ligand‐based reductions. These complexes show metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer absorption at 439‐452 nm and emission at 570‐597 nm.     

Formation of [Ru(bpy)3]2+‐Containing Microstructures Induced by Electrostatic Assembly and Their Application in Solid‐State Detection of Electrochemiluminescence

Tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺) is one of the most extensively studied and used electrochemiluminescent (ECL) compounds owing to its superior properties, which include high sensitivity and stability under moderate conditions in aqueous solution. In this paper we present a simple method for the preparation of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺‐containing microstructures based on electrostatic assembly. The formation of such microstructures occurs in a single process by direct mixing of aqueous solutions of [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂ and K₃[Fe(CN)₆] at room temperature. The electrostatic interactions between [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ cations and [Fe(CN)₆]^3? anions cause them to assemble into the resulting microstructures. Both the molar ratio and concentration of reactants were found to have strong influences on the formation of these microstructures. Most importantly, the resulting [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺‐containing microstructures exhibit excellent ECL behavior and, therefore, hold great promise for solid‐state ECL detection in capillary electrophoresis (CE) or CE microchips.     

Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence from a Stoichiometric Ruthenium(II)–Iridium(III) Complex Soft Salt

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and electrochemistry are reported for a heterometallic soft salt, [Ru(dtbubpy)₃][Ir(ppy)₂(CN)₂]₂ ( [Ir][Ru][Ir] ), consisting of a 2:1 ratio of complementary charged Ru and Ir complexes possessing two different emission colors. The [Ru]²⁺ and [Ir]^? moieties in the [Ir][Ru][Ir] greatly reduce the energy required to produce ECL. Though ECL intensity in the annihilation path was enhanced 18× relative to that of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, ECL in the co‐reactant path with tri‐n‐propylamine was enhanced a further 4×. Spooling spectroscopy gives insight into ECL mechanisms: the unique light emission at 634 nm is due to the [Ru]²⁺* excited state and no [Ir]^?* was generated in either route. Overall, the soft salt system is anticipated to be attractive and suitable for the development of efficient and low‐energy‐cost ECL detection systems.     

1-(2′-Pyridylazo)-2-naphtholate complexes of ruthenium: Synthesis,characterization, and DNA binding properties

Reaction of 1-(2′-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (Hpan) with [Ru(dmso)₄Cl₂] (dmso = dimethylsulfoxide), [Ru(trpy)Cl₃] (trpy = 2,2′,2″-terpyridine), [Ru(bpy)Cl₃] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and [Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂] in refluxing ethanol in the presence of a base (NEt₃) affords, respectively, the [Ru(pan)₂], [Ru(trpy)(pan)]⁺ (isolated as perchlorate salt), [Ru(bpy)(pan)Cl] and [Ru(PPh₃)₂(pan)Cl] complexes. Structures of these four complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. In each of these complexes, the pan ligand is coordinated to the metal center as a monoanionic tridentate N,N,O-donor. Reaction of the [Ru(bpy)(pan)Cl] complex with pyridine (py) and 4-picoline (pic) in the presence of silver ion has yielded the [Ru(bpy)(pan)(py)]⁺ and [Ru(bpy)(pan)(pic)]⁺ complexes (isolated as perchlorate salts), respectively. All the complexes are diamagnetic (low-spin d⁶, S = 0) and show characteristic ¹H NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry on all the complexes shows a Ru(II)–Ru(III) oxidation on the positive side of SCE. Except in the [Ru(pan)₂] complex, a second oxidative response has been observed in the other five complexes. Reductions of the coordinated ligands have also been observed on the negative side of SCE. The [Ru(trpy)(pan)]ClO₄, [Ru(bpy)(pan)(py)]ClO₄ and [Ru(bpy)(pan)(pic)]ClO₄ complexes have been observed to bind to DNA, but they have not been able to cleave super-coiled DNA on UV irradiation.