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

Two new Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(bpy)₂(pmip)]²⁺ (1) and [Ru(phen)₂(pmip)]²⁺ (2), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS and ¹H NMR spectra. Their DNA-binding properties were studied by means of UV–VIS, emission and CD spectra, thermal denaturation and viscosity measurements as well as their DNA-photocleavage properties. The experimental results show that both 1 and 2 can bind to DNA in an intercalative mode; the DNA-binding affinity of 2 is greater than that of 1, which suggests that the ancillary ligands have a significant effect on the spectroscopic properties and DNA-binding behavior of the Ru(II) complexes. Under irradiation with UV light, the Ru(II) complexes show excellent efficiency of cleaving DNA. This research may provide valuable insight into the interactions of metal complexes with DNA, knowledge that is an excellent backdrop for the rational design of promising drugs.     

Cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species and DNA-binding studies of ruthenium(II) complexes

Three ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes [Ru(dmb)₂(dadppz)]²⁺ 1, [Ru(bpy)₂(dadppz)]²⁺ 2 and [Ru(phen)₂(dadppz)]²⁺ 3 were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. Their DNA-binding behaviors were investigated by absorption titration, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. Cytotoxicity in vitro, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, cellular uptake and reactive oxygen species assays were performed. The complexes were found to show moderate DNA-binding affinities and high cytotoxicities toward A549, BEL-7402, MG-63 and SKBR-3 cell lines. These complexes can effectively induce apoptosis of BEL-7402. In cell cycle assays, the complexes induced S-phase arrest on BEL-7402 cells and G0/G1-phase arrest on SKBR-3 cells. The DNA-binding experiments showed that the three complexes interact with CT-DNA through an intercalative mode.     

DNA-binding properties of ruthenium(II) complexes with the bidentate ligand 5-chloro-2-(phenylazo)pyridine

A bidentate ligand, 5-chloro-2-(phenylazo)pyridine (Clazpy), and its two polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(Clazpy)₂bpy]Cl₂·7H₂O (1) and [Ru(Clazpy)₂phen]Cl₂·8H₂O (2), were synthesized and characterized. The DNA-binding properties of these complexes with DNA, the breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1), and the pBIND plasmid DNA were probed by photocleavage, electronic absorption titration, ethidium bromide quenching, and thermal denaturation. Both complexes were found to bind to the BRCA1 fragment through the intercalative mode into the base pairs of DNA, and the DNA-binding constants (K_b) for 1 and 2 were 7.0 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and 5.1 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, respectively. In addition, both complexes enhanced the single-stranded cleavage of the plasmid DNA. Under comparable experimental conditions, 2 cleaved DNA more effectively than 1, in a dose–response manner. The data indicated that the binding affinity of these two complexes to DNA was dependent on the aromatic planarity and hydrophobicity of the intercalative polypyridyl ligand.     

Synthesis,characterization, and DNA-binding of [Co(phen)2(CPIA)]3+, [Co(phen)2(BIP)]3+, and [Co(phen)2(CIP)]3+

Three ligands, 2-(3-(carboxymethyl)-1,10-phenanthroline-[5,6-d]imidazole-1-yl)acetate (CPIA), 2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-4-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (BIP), and 2-(9H-carbazol-3-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (CIP), and their complexes, [Co(phen)₂(CPIA)]³⁺ (1) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [Co(phen)₂(BIP)]³⁺ (2), and [Co(phen)₂(CIP)]³⁺ (3), have been synthesized and characterized. Binding of the three complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated by spectroscopic methods, cyclic voltammetry, and viscosity measurements. The three complexes bind to DNA through an intercalative mode, and the size and shape of the intercalative ligands have significant effects on the binding affinity of complexes to CT-DNA.     

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, 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.     

Theoretical studies on Ru(fppz)2(CO)L (L = N -heterocyclic ligand): Electronic structure, absorption, phosphorescence, and solvatochromism

A series of ruthenium(II) complexes Ru(fppz)₂(CO)L [fppz = 3-trifluoromethyl-5(2-pyridyl)pyrazole; L = pyridine (1), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (2), 4-cyanopyridine (3)] were designed and investigated theoretically to explore their electronic structures, absorption, and emissions as well as the solvatochromism. The singlet ground state and triplet excited state geometries were fully optimized at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ and CIS/LANL2DZ level, respectively. The HOMO of 1–3 is composed of d_yz(Ru) atom and π(fppz). The LUMO of 1 and 2 is dominantly contributed by π*(fppz) orbital, but that of 3 is contribute by π*(L). Absorption and phosphorescence in vacuo, C₆H₁₂, and CH₃CN media were calculated using the TD-DFT level of theory with the PCM model based on the optimized ground and excited state geometries, respectively. The lowest-lying absorption of 1 and 2 at 387 and 391 nm is attributed to {[d_yz(Ru) + π(fppz)] → [π*(fppz)]} transition, but that of 3 at 479 nm is assigned to {[d_yz(Ru) + π(fppz)] → [π*(L)]} transition. The phosphorescence of 1 and 2 at 436 and 438 nm originates from ³{[d_yz(Ru) + π(fppz)] [π*(fppz)]} excited state, while that of 3 at 606 nm is from ³{[d_yz(Ru) + π(fppz)] [π*(L)]} excited state. The calculation results showed that the absorption and emission transition character can be changed from MLCT/ILCT to MLCT/LLCT transition by altering the substituent on the L ligand. The phosphorescence of 1 and 2 does not have solvatochromism, but that of 3 at 606 nm (vacuo), 584 nm (C₆H₁₂), and 541 nm (CH₃CN) is strongly dependent on the solvent polarity, so introducing electron-withdrawing group on ligand L will induce remarkable solvatochromism. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20573042, 20703015, and 20333050)     

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⁺.     

Synthesis,characterization and interaction of mixed polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes with calf thymus DNA

New mixed polypyridyl {HPIP = 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dmb = 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-bipyridine} ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(phen)₂(HPIP)]²⁺, [Ru(dmp)₂(HPIP)]²⁺ and [Ru(dmb)₂(HPIP)]²⁺ were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses ¹H-n.m.r., u.v.–vis. spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Their DNA-binding properties were demonstrated by absorption, luminescence titrations, steady-state emission quenching and viscosity measurements. The results suggested that all the examined complexes bind with CT-DNA intercalatively. Methyl groups substituted at the 4,4-positions of bpy has no obvious effect on its DNA binding, whereas substituents at the 2- and 9-positions of phen have an impressive effect on its DNA-binding, as revealed by the decreased binding affinity.     

Effects of substituent on the DNA-binding of ruthenium(II) complexes containing asymmetric tridentate intercalative ligands

Three novel unsymmetric tridentate ligands, namely, ptmi (ptmi = 3-(1,10-phenanthroline-2-yl)-as-triazino[5,6-f]-5-methoxyisatin), pti (pti = 3-(1,10-phenanthroline-2-yl)-as-triazino-[5,6-f]isatin), ptni (ptni = 3-(1,10-phenanthroline-2-yl)-as-triazino[5,6-f]-5-nitroisatin), and their complexes [Ru(tpy)(ptmi)](ClO₄)₂ (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) (1), [Ru(tpy)(pti)](ClO₄)₂ (2), and [Ru(tpy)(ptni)](ClO₄)₂ (3) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ES–MS. The electrochemical behaviors were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The DNA-binding properties of these complexes were investigated by the spectroscopic method, viscosity measurements, and thermal denaturation. Theoretical studies on these complexes were also performed with the density functional theory (DFT) method. The experimental results showed that these complexes bind to calf thymus (CT-DNA) in an intercalative mode. The order of DNA-binding affinities (A) of these complexes is A(1) < A(2) < A(3). The trend in the DNA-binding affinities of this series of complexes can be reasonably explained by the DFT calculations.     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on DNA‐Binding and Spectral Properties of ‘Light Switch’ Complexes [Ru(L)2(ppn)]2+ (L=2,2′‐Bipyridine and 1,10‐Phenanthroline; ppn=Pteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13‐diamine)

The ligand pteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13‐diamine (ppn) and its Ru^II complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(ppn)]²⁺ ( 1 ; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) and [Ru(phen)₂(ppn)]²⁺ ( 2 ; phen=1,10‐phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electrospray MS, ¹H‐NMR, and cyclic voltammetry. The DNA‐binding behaviors of 1 and 2 were studied by spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that both complexes strongly bind to calf‐thymus DNA in an intercalative mode, with DNA‐binding constants K_b of (1.7±0.4)?10⁶ M ^?1 and (2.6±0.2)?10⁶ M ^?1, respectively. The complexes 1 and 2 exhibit excellent DNA‐‘light switch’ performances, i.e., they do not (or extremely weakly) show luminescence in aqueous solution at room temperature but are strongly luminescent in the presence of DNA. In particular, the experimental results suggest that the ancillary ligands bpy and phen not only have a significant effect on the DNA‐binding affinities of 1 and 2 but also have a certain effect on their spectral properties. [Ru(phen)₂(ppn)]²⁺( 2 ) might be developed into a very prospective DNA‐‘light switch’ complex. To explain the DNA‐binding and spectral properties of 1 and 2 , theoretical calculations were also carried out applying the DFT/TDDFT method.     

Synthesis,DNA‐Binding and Photocleavage Studies of the Ruthenium(II) Complexes [Ru(phen)2(ppd)]2+ and [Ru(phen)(ppd)2]2+ (ppd=Pteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13(10H,12H)‐dione,phen=1,10‐Phenanthroline)

Two new complexes, [Ru(phen)₂(ppd)]²⁺ ( 1 ) and [Ru(phen)(ppd)₂]²⁺ ( 2 ) (ppd=pteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13(10H,12H)‐dione, phen=1,10‐phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by ES‐MS, ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The intercalative DNA‐binding properties of 1 and 2 were investigated by absorption‐spectroscopy titration, luminescence‐spectroscopy studies, thermal denaturation, and viscosity measurements. The theoretical aspects were further discussed by comparative studies of 1 and 2 by means of DFT calculations and molecular‐orbital theory. Photoactivated cleavage of pBR322 DNA by the two complexes were also studied, and 2 was found to be a much better photocleavage reagent than 1 . The mechanism studies revealed that singlet oxygen and the excited‐states redox potentials of the complex may play an important role in the DNA photocleavage.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and DNA Interaction Studies of the Ruthenium(II) Complexes [Ru(bpy)2(ipbp)]2+ and [Ru(ipbp)(phen)2]2+ (ipbp=3‐(1H‐Imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthrolin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one; bpy=2,2′‐Bipyridine; phen=1,10‐Phenanthroline)

A novel ligand 3‐(1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthrolin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one (ipbp) and its ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(ipbp)]²⁺ ( 1 ) and [Ru(ipbp)(phen)₂]²⁺ ( 2 ) (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, phen=1,10‐phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and mass, ¹H‐NMR, and electronic‐absorption spectroscopy. The electrochemical behavior of the complexes was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The DNA‐binding behavior of the complexes was investigated by spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that complexes 1 and 2 bind with calf‐thymus DNA in an intercalative mode. In addition, 1 and 2 promote cleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA from the supercoil form I to the open circular form II upon irradiation.     

Investigation of DNA/BSA binding of three Ru(II) complexes by various spectroscopic methods,molecular docking and their antimicrobial activity

An intercalative ligand, ppip (ppip = {2-(4-(piperidin-1-yl)phenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline}), and its mononuclear Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(phen)₂(ppip)]²⁺ (1) (phen=1,10-phenanthrolene), [Ru(bpy)₂(ppip)]²⁺ (2) (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) and [Ru(dmb)₂(ppip)]²⁺ (3) (dmb=4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques such as UV–vis, IR, ¹H, as well as ¹³C NMR and ESI-MS. The interaction of these complexes with DNA/BSA (bovine serum albumin) was investigated using absorption, emission spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and molecular docking studies. The docking study infers that the binding strength (K_b) of these complexes was in agreement with results from absorption and emission techniques. These studies reveal that these three Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes bind to DNA/BSA. The binding ability of these complexes in the presence of different ions and solvents were also reported. All complexes were effectively cleaving pBR322 DNA in different forms and follows order which is similar to absorption and emission studies. These complexes were effective exhibiting the antimicrobial activity against different microbes Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.     

Synthesis and DNA interaction studies of ruthenium(II) complexes with isatino[1, 2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene as an intercalative ligand

The binding of the ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(ITAP)](ClO₄)₂ (bpy = 2,2’-bipyridine) and [Ru(phen)₂(ITAP)](ClO₄)₂ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, ITAP = isatino[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene) to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) have been investigated with UV–visible and emission spectroscopy, viscosity measurements, thermal denaturation, and photoactivated cleavage. The experimental results indicate that the two complexes bind to CT-DNA through an intercalative mode. The two Ru(II) complexes in the presence of plasmid pBR322 DNA have been found to give rise to nicking of DNA upon irradiation.     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and DNA‐Binding Properties of the Chiral Ruthenium(II) Complexes Δ‐ and Λ‐[Ru(bpy)2(dmppd)]2+ (dmppd = 10,12‐Dimethylpteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13(10H,12H)‐dione; bpy = 2,2′‐Bipyridine)

Two novel chiral ruthenium(II) complexes, Δ‐[Ru(bpy)₂(dmppd)]²⁺ and Λ‐[Ru(bpy)₂(dmppd)]²⁺ (dmppd = 10,12‐dimethylpteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13(10H,12H)‐dione, bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H‐NMR and ES‐MS. The DNA‐binding behaviors of both complexes were studied by UV/VIS absorption titration, competitive binding experiments, viscosity measurements, thermal DNA denaturation, and circular‐dichroism spectra. The results indicate that both chiral complexes bind to calf‐thymus DNA in an intercalative mode, and the Δ enantiomer shows larger DNA affinity than the Λ enantiomer does. Theoretical‐calculation studies for the DNA‐binding behaviors of these complexes were carried out by the density‐functional‐theory method. The mechanism involved in the regulating and controlling of the DNA‐binding abilities of the complexes was further explored by the comparative studies of [Ru(bpy)₂(dmppd)]²⁺ and of its parent complex [Ru(bpy)₂(ppd)]²⁺ (ppd = pteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13 (10H,12H)‐dione).     

Synthesis,DNA-binding,and photocleavage properties of Ru(II) complexes containing dppz-based ligand

A ligand ipdp (ipdp?=?indeno[1′,2′?:?5,6]pyrazino[2,3-i]dipyrido[3,2-a?:?2′,3′-c]phenazine-8-one) and its ruthenium complexes, [Ru(L)₂(ipdp)]²⁺ (L?=?bpy (2,2′-bipyridine), phen (1,10-phenanthroline)), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electrospray mass spectra, and ¹H NMR. The interaction between the complexes and calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated by spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that the complexes can bind to CT-DNA in an intercalative mode. In addition, both complexes promote the photocleavage of plasmid pBR322 DNA under irradiation. The mechanistic studies reveal that singlet oxygen ¹O₂ plays a significant role in DNA photocleavage.     

Effect of the ancillary ligands on the binding of ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(dmp)2(MCMIP)]2+ and [Ru(dmb)2(MCMIP)]2+ with DNA

Two polypyridine ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(dmp)₂(MCMIP)]²⁺ (1) (MCMIP = 2-(6-methyl-3-chromonyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline, dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) and [Ru(dmb)₂(MCMIP)]²⁺ (2) (dmb = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS and ¹H NMR. The DNA-binding behaviors of these complexes were investigated by electronic absorption titration, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation. The results show that 1 and 2 effectively bind to CT-DNA; the DNA-binding affinities are closely related to the ancillary ligand.