DNA-binding of semirigid binuclear ruthenium complex delta,delta-[mu-(11,11'-bidppz)(phen)(4)ru(2)](4+): extremely slow intercalation kinetics

We here report a remarkably slow rearrangement of binding modes for a binuclear ruthenium(II) complex upon interaction with DNA. It has been previously shown that Delta,Delta-[mu-(11,11'-bidppz)(phen)4Ru2]4+ binds to DNA in one of the grooves. However, we find that this is only an initial, metastable, binding mode, which is extremely slowly reorganized into an intercalative binding geometry. The slow rearrangement and dissociation, revealed by flow linear dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy, are concluded to be a result from the complex being threaded through the DNA, with one of the bridging aromatic dppz ligands intercalated between the base pairs of the DNA, placing one metal center in the minor groove and one in the major groove. A negative LD, a high luminescence quantum yield, and long luminescence lifetimes, similar to the intercalating complex Delta-[Ru(phen)2dppz]2+, indicate intercalation of the bidppz moiety. The unique slow dissociation of the complex in its final DNA-binding mode suggests that this class of threading, partially intercalated binuclear complexes may be interesting in the context of cancer therapy. Also, their unique optical and photophysical properties could make such complexes, either alone or scaffolded by DNA structures, of interest for the development of nanometer-sized molecular optoelectronic devices.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes of 6,7-dicyanodipyridoquinoxaline: synthesis, luminescence studies, and DNA interaction

The hexaflurophosphate and chloride salts of a series of ruthenium(II) complexes incorporating a new dipyridophenazine-based ligand, dicnq (6,7-dicyanodipyrido[2,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline), are synthesized in good-to-moderate yields. These mono ([Ru(phen)2(dicnq)]2+; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), bis ([Ru(phen)(dicnq)2]2+), and tris ([Ru(dicnq)3]2+) complexes are fully characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, FAB-MS, 1H NMR, and cyclic voltammetric methods. Results of absorption titration and thermal denaturation studies reveal that these complexes are moderately strong binders of calf-thymus (CT) DNA, with their binding constants spanning the range (1-3) x 10(4) M-1. On the other hand, under the identical set of experimental conditions of light and drug dose, the DNA (pBR 322)-photocleavage abilities of these ruthenium(II) complexes follow the order [Ru(phen)2(dicnq)]2+ > [Ru(phen)(dicnq)2]2+ > [Ru(dicnq)3]2+, an order which is the same as that observed for their MLCT emission quantum yields. Steady-state emission studies carried out in nonaqueous solvents and in aqueous media with or without DNA reveal that while [Ru(dicnq)3]2+ is totally nonemissive under these solution conditions, both [Ru(phen)2(dicnq)]2+ and [Ru(phen)(dicnq)2]2+ are luminescent and function as "molecular light switches" for DNA. Successive addition of CT DNA to buffered aqueous solutions containing the latter two complexes results in an enhancement of the emission in each case, with the enhancement factors at saturation being approximately 16 and 8 for [Ru(phen)2(dicnq)]2+ and [Ru(phen)(dicnq)2]2+, respectively. These results are discussed in light of the relationship between the structure-specific deactivations of the MLCT excited states of these metallointercalators and the characteristic features of their DNA interactions, and attempts are made to compare and contrast their properties with those of analogous dipyridophenazine-based complexes, including the ones reported in the preceding paper.     

新型多吡啶配体的设计及其对配合物与DNA作用机制的影响

近年来 ,以钌 ( )多吡啶配合物为探针研究 DNA的结构已成为生物无机化学领域中的一个热点[1,2 ] .这些配合物由于热力学稳定性好 ,光化学和光物理信息丰富 ,在研究 DNA内部的电子转移和Fig.1　 Structures of the ligandsDNA的结构识别等方面均有重要的作用[3～ 7] .在配合物与 DNA的相互作用中 ,配合物的形状、大小以及中心离子电荷等都有一定的影响[8] ,其中 ,配合物的形状起着至关重要的作用 ,与 DNA的形状匹配的配合物与DNA的结合较强 .这些配合物中通常含有平面性较大的芳香环配体 ,可插入到 DNA的碱基对之间 ,并与 DNA具有…     

不同配体对钌多吡啶配合物与DNA的作用和荧光性质的影响

Two polypyridyl ligands DCHIP (2-hydro-3，5-dichlorophenyl-imidazo[4，5-f][1，10] phenanthroline)，MDHIP(2，4-dihydrophenyl-imidazo[4，5-f][1，10]phenanthroline) and their ruthenium(Ⅱ) complexes [Ru(phen)₂MDHIP]²⁺ and [Ru(phen)₂DCHIP]²⁺ were prepared. Their DNA-binding properties were studied by spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. The results indicated that the complexes both bound to DNA by partial intercalation mode， but [Ru(phen)₂DCHIP]²⁺ exhibited stronger binding affinity for DNA than [Ru(phen)₂MDHIP]²⁺ due to the different planarities and steric effects of ligands. On the other hand， after binding to DNA， the fluorescence intensity of [Ru(phen)₂MDHIP]²⁺ decreased， while the fluorescence intensity of [Ru(phen)₂ DCHIP]²⁺ increased.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic DNA binding studies of homoleptic and heteroleptic ruthenium(II) complexes with imidazo[4,5-f] [1,10]phenanthroline or its derivatives

Two series of new complexes, [Ru(phen)2L]2+ and [RuL3]2+, where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and L denotes imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (IP) or 2-(4-R-phenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline(PIP, R = H; HOP, R = –OH; MOP, R = –OMe; DMNP, R = NMe2; CLP, R = Cl; NOP, R = NO2), were synthesized and characterized. Their binding to calf thymus DNA was investigated using electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy. [Ru(IP)3]2+ and each [Ru(phen)2 L]2+ showed dramatic absorption hypochromism and bathochromicity, as well as steady-state emission intensity and excited-state lifetime enhancements {except nonluminescent [Ru(phen)2NOP]2+} associated with the presence of DNA, inferring that they bind to DNA by intercalation. These phenomena were not observed for [RuL3]2+ type complexes (except L = IP), indicating that they bind to DNA at most through electrostatic interactions.     

Comparison of the binding stoichiometries of positively charged DNA-binding drugs using positive and negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Positive and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra of complexes of positively charged small molecules (distamycin, Hoechst 33258, [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 and [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2) have been compared. [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 and [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 bind to DNA by intercalation. Negative ion ESI mass spectra of mixtures of [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 or [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 with DNA showed ions from DNA-ligand complexes consistent with solution studies. In contrast, only ions from free DNA were present in positive ion ESI mass spectra of mixtures of [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 or [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 with DNA, highlighting the need for obtaining ESI mass spectra of non-covalent complexes under a range of experimental conditions. Negative ion spectra of mixtures of the minor groove binder Hoechst 33258 with DNA containing a known minor groove binding sequence were dominated by ions from a 1:1 complex. In contrast, in positive ion spectra there were also ions present from a 2:1 (Hoechst 33258: DNA) complex, suggesting an alternative binding mode was possible either in solution or in the gas phase. When Hoechst 33258 was mixed with a DNA sequence lacking a high affinity minor groove binding site, the negative ion ESI mass spectra showed that 1:1 and 2:1 complexes were formed, consistent with existence of binding modes other than minor groove binding. The data presented suggest that comparison of positive and negative ion ESI-MS spectra might provide an insight into various binding modes in both solution and the gas phase.     

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.     

新型双核配合物的形成、与DNA的作用机制及荧光性质研究

利用紫外、荧光和粘度等方法研究了含不同配体的钌(II)配合物[Ru(phen)₂CImP]^2＋(CImP＝3,4-二羟基-咪唑并[4,5-i][1,10]邻菲咯啉)和[Ru(phen)₂TPPZ]^2＋(TPPZ＝四吡啶[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3',2'-h:2',3'-j]吩嗪)与DNA的作用机制, 并研究了配合物与Zn^2＋配合后荧光性质变化. 结果表明[Ru(phen)₂TPPZ]^2＋与DNA以插入模式作用, 而[Ru(phen)₂CImP]^2＋与DNA则以沟面结合模式作用. 向配合物溶液中滴加Zn^2＋后, 配合物[Ru(phen)₂TPPZ]^2＋和[Ru(phen)₂CImP]^2＋均可以与Zn^2＋形成双核配合物[Ru(phen)₂(TPPZ)Zn]^4＋和[Ru(phen)₂(CImP)Zn]^4＋, 配合物的荧光减弱. 与DNA作用后, 配合物仍可以与Zn^2＋配位形成双核配合物, 但[Ru(phen)₂(TPPZ)Zn]^4＋保持插入模式与DNA作用, 配合物的荧光减弱. 而[Ru(phen)₂(CImP)Zn]^4＋与DNA则由沟面结合改为插入结合, 配合物的荧光增强.     

4-(4-羧基苯氧基)间苯二甲酸构筑的过渡金属配位聚合物: 合成、 晶体结构、 荧光传感与光催化

采用水热法合成了4个配位聚合物[Zn(Hcpoia)(2,2'-bpy)·H₂O]_n(1)和[M(Hcpoia)(phen)]_n·nH₂O[M=Zn(2), Mn(3), Co(4); H₃cpoia=4-(4-羧基苯氧基)间苯二甲酸; 2,2'-bpy=2,2'-联吡啶; phen=1,10-邻菲罗啉], 利用X射线单晶衍射分析确定了配合物的晶体结构. 配合物1为一维链状结构, 中心Zn ²⁺离子的配位环境为[ZnO₄N₂]扭曲的八面体构型, 配体Hcpoia ^2-以μ₁∶η ¹η ⁰和μ₁∶η ¹η ¹配位模式桥连相邻的Zn ²⁺离子. 配合物2和4的结构与配合物1类似, 是由配体Hcpoia ^2-以μ₁∶η ¹η ⁰和μ₁∶η ¹η ¹配位模式联接[MO₄N₂]结构单元而形成的一维链状结构. 配合物1, 2和4中均存在分子间氢键(O—H…O), 氢键的存在使一维链连接形成二维超分子结构. 配合物3为二维网状结构, Mn ²⁺离子的配位环境为[MnO₄N₂]扭曲的八面体构型, 配体Hcpoia ^2-以μ₂∶η ¹η ¹配位模式桥连相邻Mn ²⁺离子形成[Mn₂COO₂]结构单元, 该结构单元被Hcpoia ^2-连接形成二维结构. 在4个配合物中, 2,2'-bpy和phen配体均以端基的形式与金属离子螯合配位. 研究了水溶液中抗生素分子和Fe ³⁺离子对配合物1与荧光强度的影响, 实验结果表明, 甲硝唑、 Fe ³⁺离子对配合物1有荧光猝灭作用, 并进一步考察了甲硝唑浓度和Fe ³⁺离子浓度对配合物1荧光强度的影响. 基于荧光猝灭机理, 配合物1可以用作荧光传感器检测水溶液中的甲硝唑和Fe ³⁺离子. 研究了配合物4对罗丹明B(RhB)的催化降解性能, 发现在氙灯照射和H₂O₂存在条件下, 配合物4对RhB具有较好的光催化降解作用.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes of redox-related, modified dipyridophenazine ligands: synthesis, characterization, and DNA interaction

The synthesis, spectral characterization, and electrochemical properties of [Ru(phen)2(qdppz)]2+, which incorporates a quinone-fused dipyridophenazine ligand (naphtho[2,3-a]dipyrido[3,2-h:2',3'-f]phenazine-5,18-dione, qdppz), are described in detail. Chemical or electrochemical reduction of [Ru(phen)2(qdppz)]2+ leads to the generation of [Ru(phen)2(hqdppz)](2+)--a complex containing the hydroquinone form (hqdppz = 5,18-dihydroxynaphtho[2,3-a]-dipyrido[3,2-h:2',3'-f]phenazine) of qdppz. Absorption and viscometric titration, thermal denaturation, topoisomerase assay, and differential-pulse voltammetric studies reveal that [Ru(phen)2(qdppz)]2+ is an avid binder of calf-thymus DNA due to a strong intercalation by the ruthenium-bound qdppz, while [Ru(phen)2(hqdppz)]2+ binds to DNA less strongly than the parent "quinone"-containing complex. DNA-photocleavage efficiencies of these complexes also follow a similar trend in that the MLCT-excited state of [Ru(phen)2(qdppz)]2+ is more effective than that of [Ru(phen)2(hqdppz)]2+ in cleaving the supercoiled plasmid pBR 322 DNA (lambda exc = 440 +/- 5 nm), as revealed by the results of agarose gel electrophoresis experiments. The photochemical behaviors of both the quinone- and hydroquinone-appended ruthenium(II) complexes in the presence of DNA not only provide valuable insights into their modes of binding with the duplex but also lead to detailed investigations of their luminescence properties in nonaqueous, aqueous, and aqueous micellar media. On the basis of the results obtained, (i) a photoinduced electron transfer from the MLCT state to the quinone acceptor in Ru(phen)2(qdppz)]2+ and (ii) quenching of the excited states due to proton transfer from water to the dipyridophenazine ligand in both complexes are invoked to rationalize the apparent lack of emission of these redox-related complexes in the DNA medium.     

Thermal and photochemical reduction of aqueous chlorine by ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes

Studies are reported on the reactions of aqueous chlorine with a series of substitution-inert, one-electron metal-complex reductants, which includes [Ru(bpy)3]2+, [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)3]2+, [Ru(4,7-Me2phen)3]2+, [Ru(terpy)2]2+, and [Fe(3,4,7,8-Me4phen)3]2+. The reactions were studied by spectrophotometry at 25 degrees C in acidic chloride media at mu = 0.3 M. In general the reactions have the stoichiometry 2[ML3]2+ + Cl2-->2[ML3]3+ + 2Cl-. In the case of [Ru(bpy)3]2+, the reaction is quite photosensitive; the thermal reaction is so slow as to be practically immeasurable. The reactions of [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)3]2+ and [Ru(4,7-Me2phen)3]2+ are also highly photosensitive, giving pseudo-first-order rate constants that depend on the monochromator slit width in a stopped-flow instrument; however, the thermal rates are fast enough that they can be obtained by extrapolation of kobs to zero slit width. The reactions of [Ru(terpy)2]2+ and [Fe(3,4,7,8-Me4phen)3]2+ show no appreciable photosensitivity, allowing direct determination of their thermal rate laws. From the kinetic effects of pH, [Cl2]tot, and [Cl-] it is evident that all of the thermal rate laws have a first-order dependence on [ML3]2+ and on [Cl2]. The second-order rate constants decrease as Eo for the complex increases, consistent with the predictions of Marcus theory for an outer-sphere electron-transfer mechanism. Quantum yields at 460 nm for the reactions of [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)3]2+ and [Ru(4,7-Me2phen)3]2+ exceed 0.1 and show a dependence on [Cl2] indicative of competition among spontaneous decay of *Ru, nonreactive quenching by Cl2, and reactive quenching by Cl2.     

[Ru(bpy)_2tpphz]~(2+)与Zn~(2+)形成的双核配合物的荧光性质研究

近年来,钌多吡啶配合物与DNA的作用得到了比较广泛的研究,并且发展了一系列具有特定功能的钌配合物犤1犦。如传统的DNA分子光开关犤Ru(bpy)2dppz犦2+和犤Ru(phen)2dppz犦2+犤2,3犦(bpy=2,2'-联吡啶,phen=1,10-菲咯啉,dppz=二吡啶犤3,2-a:2',3'-c犦吩嗪)。这些配合物与DNA具有较强的结合力,在水溶液中几乎不发光,但在DNA存在下则有强烈荧光发出。这是由于配合物插入DNA的碱基对之后,保护了dppz的吡嗪环上的N原子,使其免受水分子的进攻从而导致配合物荧光的恢复。但是对于大多数的多吡啶钌配合物来讲,由于其自身较强的背景荧光或与DN…     

Photophysical study of a family of [Ru(phen)2(Me n dpq)]2+ complexes in different solvents and DNA: a specific water effect promoted by methyl substitution

The synthesis and spectroscopic characterisation of a family of ruthenium complexes [Ru(phen)(2)(Me(n)dpq)](2+)(n= 0, 1, 2) are reported and the photophysical effect of the progressive methyl substitution on the dpq ligand ascertained in a range of solvents and in the presence of DNA: [Ru(phen)(2)(dpq)](2+)(1), [Ru(phen)(2)(Medpq)](2+)(2) and [Ru(phen)(2)(Me(2)dpq)](2+)(3)(where dpq is dipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]-quinoxaline; Medpq is 2-methyldipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]-quinoxaline; Me(2)dpq is 2,3-dimethyldipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]-quinoxaline and phen is 1,10-phenanthroline). The increase in electron density following substitution renders the quinoxaline nitrogen atoms more basic in the ground state to yield pK(a) values of -1.9, -2.3, and -2.7 for 3, 2, and 1, respectively. The methyl groups have a pronounced effect on the excited state photophysics of 1-3. In organic solvents, the non-radiative decay constant correlates well with the solvent polarity parameter pi*, with the effect being more pronounced with increasing methyl substitution. On the contrary, in aqueous solution there is a ca. four-fold decrease in the non-radiative decay constant upon methyl substitution. This "specific water effect" may be explained in terms of deactivation of the excited state by hydrogen bonding interactions between water and the quinoxaline nitrogen atoms, which is reduced on moving from 1 to 3. The excited state lifetimes and luminescence intensities for substantially increase when bound to DNA in aerated aqueous solutions, with a six-fold increase, compared to a more moderate three-fold increase for 2 and 3.     

Base-specific and enantioselective studies for the DNA binding of iron(II) mixed-ligand complexes containing 1,10-phenanthroline and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine

Base specificity and enantioselectivity for the DNA binding of [Fe(phen)2(dppz)]2+ (phen=1,10-phenanthroline and dppz=dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) have been studied by determining the equilibrium binding constant (Kb) of the iron(II) complex to calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA), poly[(dA-dT)2], poly[(dG-dC)2] and poly[(dI-dC)2] using spectrophotometric titration and by monitoring the CD spectral profile of the iron(II) complex in the presence and absence of different types of DNA using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, respectively. It has been shown that [Fe(phen)2(dppz)]2+ prefers to intercalate into the A-T and I-C sequences of poly[(dA-dT)2] and poly[(dI-dC)2] rather than into the G-C sequences of poly[(dG-dC)2] or into the base pairs of ct-DNA. In contrast to previous reports, it is a surprising observation that the enantioselectivity of the DNA binding for [Fe(phen)2(dppz)]2+ is base-dependent in nature. The Delta-enantiomer of [Fe(phen)2(dppz)]2+ is preferentially intercalated into the base pairs of poly[(dG-dC)2] or ct-DNA as indicated by its CD spectral profiles. On the other hand, the Lambda-enantiomer of [Fe(phen)2(dppz)]2+ is favorably intercalated into poly[(dA-dT)2] or poly[(dI-dC)2] as suggested by the opposite CD spectral profile. This preferential binding of Lambda-[Fe(phen)2(dppz)]2+)for the A-T sequence may be attributed to the fact that the binding site for the A-T sequence is relatively facile and thus the steric effect caused by the ancillary (non-intercalated) phen ligands is alleviated. The degree of enantioselectivity represented by inversion constants (Kinv) decreases as the salt concentration in the solution increases, indicating that electrostatic interaction is also operating in the ct-DNA-binding events of the iron (II) complex.     

钌(II)多吡啶配合物的合成、荧光性质及与脱氧核糖核酸DNA的 作用机制研究

设计合成含多个配位中心的多吡啶配体ODCIP (3,4-二氯基苯并咪唑并[4,5-f][1,10]邻菲咯啉)及其钌(II)多吡啶配合物[Ru(bpy)2ODCIP]2＋. 运用元素分析、红外光谱、核磁谱和质谱对配体及配合物进行结构表征. 利用紫外吸收光谱、荧光光谱和粘度法研究了[Ru(bpy)2ODCIP]2＋与DNA(脱氧核糖核酸)的作用机制、与Co2＋配位后与DNA的作用机制及其荧光变化情况. 结果表明[Ru(bpy)2ODCIP]2＋与DNA通过部分插入模式作用, [Ru(bpy)2ODCIP]2＋与Co2＋配位形成的双核配合物[Ru(bpy)2(ODCIP)Co]4＋也能与DNA插入结合. 进一步利用稳态荧光发射光谱、荧光淬灭实验等方法研究了单核配合物[Ru(bpy)2ODCIP]2＋和双核配合物[Ru(bpy)2(ODCIP)Co]4＋的荧光性质.     

Enantioselective luminescence quenching of DNA light-switch [Ru(phen)2dppz]2+ by electron transfer to structural homologue [Ru(phendione)2dppz]2+

The quenching of the luminescence of [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+) by structural homologue [Ru(phendione)(2)dppz](2+), when both complexes are bound to DNA, has been studied for all four combinations of Delta and Lambda enantiomers. Flow linear dichroism spectroscopy (LD) indicates similar binding geometries for all the four compounds, with the dppz ligand fully intercalated between the DNA base pairs. A difference in the LD spectrum observed for the lowest-energy MLCT transition suggests that a transition, potentially related to the final localization of the excited electron to the dppz ligand in [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+), is overlaid by an orthogonally polarized transition in [Ru(phendione)(2)dppz](2+). This would be consistent with a low-lying LUMO of the phendione moiety of [Ru(phendione)(2)dppz](2+) that can accept the excited electron from [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+), thereby quenching the emission of the latter. The lifetime of excited Delta-[Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+) is decreased moderately, from 664 to 427 ns, when bound simultaneously with the phendione complex to DNA. The 108 ns lifetime of opposite enantiomer, Lambda-[Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+), is only shortened to 94 ns. These results are consistent with an average rate constant for electron transfer of approximately 1.10(6) s(-1) between the phenanthroline- and phendione-ruthenium complexes. At binding ratios close to saturation of DNA, the total emission of the two enantiomers is lowered equally much, but for the Lambda enantiomer, this is not paralleled by a decrease in luminescence lifetime. A binding isotherm simulation based on a generalized McGhee-von Hippel approach shows that the Delta enantiomer binds approximately 3 times stronger to DNA both for [Ru(phendione)(2)dppz](2+) and [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+). This explains the similar decrease in total emission, without the parallel decrease in lifetime for the Lambda enantiomer. The simulation also does not indicate any significant binding cooperativity, in contrast to the case when Delta-[Rh(phi)(2)bipy](3+) is used as quencher. The very slow electron transfer from [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+) to [Ru(phendione)(2)dppz](2+), compared to the case when [Rh(phi)(2)phen](3+) is the acceptor, can be explained by a much smaller driving free-energy difference.     

Two-photon absorption of metal-organic DNA-probes

We report remarkable multiphoton absorption properties of DNA intercalating ruthenium complexes: (1) [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+); (2) [(11,11'-bidppz)(phen)(4)Ru(2)](4+); (3) [11,11'-bipb(phen)(4)Ru(2)](4+). Two-photon spectra in the range from 460 to 1100 nm were measured using the Z-scan technique. In particular, complex 2 was found to exhibit very strong two- and three-photon absorption properties, which could be an effect of symmetric charge transfer from the ends towards the middle of the conjugated dimeric orbital system. We propose that these molecules could provide a new generation of DNA binding nonlinear chromophores for wide applications in biology and material science. The combination of a large two-photon cross section and strong luminescence quantum yields for the molecules when intercalated makes the compounds uniquely bright and photo-stable probes for two-photon luminescence imaging and also promising as enhanced photosensitizers in two-photon sensitizing applications.     

Crystal structures and thermal decomposition mechanism of four lanthanide complexes with halogen-benzoic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline

This paper describes syntheses and structure determination of four lanthanide complexes [Nd(2-Cl-4-FBA) 3 phen] 2 (1, 2-Cl-4-FBA = 2-chloro-4-fluorobenzoate, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [Ln(2,5-DClBA) 3 phen] 2 (Ln = Sm(2) and Tb(3), 2,5-DClBA = 2,5-dichlorobenzoate) and [Sm(2-Cl-4,5-DFBA) 3 (phen)(H 2 O)] 2 (4, (2-Cl-4,5-DFBA = 2-chloro-4,5-difluorobenzo- ate). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared and ultraviolet spectra, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. In the molecular structures of 1 4, two Ln 3+ ions are linked by four carboxyl groups, with two of them in a bridging bidentate mode and the other two in a bridging-chelating tridentate mode, forming four binuclear molecules. In addition, each Ln 3+ ion is also chelated to one phen molecule and one carboxyl group in the complexes, except each Sm 3+ ion in 4 which is bonded to one carboxyl group by unidentate mode and one H 2 O molecule. There are two different coordination polyhedrons for each Nd 3+ ion in the two similar molecular structures of 1 and they are a distorted monocapped square antiprismatic and a distorted tricapped triangular prism conformation, respectively. The coordination polyhedron for each Ln 3+ ion in 2 4 is a nine-coordinated distorted mono-capped square antiprismatic conformation. The complex 3 exhibits green luminescence under the radiation of UV light. The thermal decomposition behaviors of the complexes have been discussed by simultaneous TG/DSC-FTIR technique. The 3D surface graphs for the FTIR spectra of the evolved gases were recorded and the gaseous products were identified by the typical IR spectra obtained at different temperatures from the 3D surface graphs. Meanwhile, we discussed the nonisothermal kinetics of 1 4 by the integral isoconversional non-linear (NL-INT) method.     

Synthesis of [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+)-tethered oligo-DNA and studies on the metallointercalation mode into the DNA duplex

To explore the binding properties of [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+) complex (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) in a sequence-specific manner in DNA duplex, it was tethered through the dppz ligand to a central position as well as both at the 3'- and 5'-ends of oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN). The middle [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+)-ODN tethered was resolved and isolated as four pure diastereomers, while the 3'- or 5'-[Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+)-ODNs were inseparable on RP-HPLC. Thermal stability of the (Ru(2+)-ODN).DNA duplexes is found to increase considerably (DeltaT(m) = 12.8-23.4 degrees C), depending upon the site of the covalent attachment of the tethered [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+) complex, or the chirality of the [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+)-linker tethered at the middle of the ODN, compared to the unlabeled counterpart. Gross differences in CD between the [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+)-tethered and the native DNA duplexes showed that the global duplex conformation of the former has considerably altered from the B-type, but is still recognized by DNase I. The thermal melting studies, CD measurements, as well as DNase I digestion data, are interpreted as a result of intercalation of the dppz moiety, which is realized by threading of the Ru(phen)(2) complex part through the DNA duplex core. DNase I footprinting with four diastereomerically pure middle ([Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+)-ODN).DNA duplexes furthermore showed that the tethered [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+)-linker chirality dictates the stereochemical accessibility of various phosphodiester moieties (around the intercalation site) toward the cleavage reaction by the enzyme. The diastereomerically pure ruthenium-modified duplexes, with the well-defined pi-stack, will be useful to explore stereochemistry-dependent energy- and electron-transfer chemistry to understand oxidative damage to the DNA double helix as well as the long-range energy- and electron-transfer processes with DNA as a reactant.     

Exploring the interaction of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes with DNA using single-molecule techniques

Here we explore DNA binding by a family of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and optical tweezers. We demonstrate using AFM that Ru(bpy)2dppz2+ intercalates into DNA (K(b) = 1.5 x 10(5) M(-1)), as does its close relative Ru(bpy)2dppx2+ (K(b) = 1.5 x 10(5) M(-1)). However, intercalation by Ru(phen)3(2+) and other Ru(II) complexes with K(b) values lower than that of Ru(bpy)2dppz2+ is difficult to determine using AFM because of competing aggregation and surface-binding phenomena. At the high Ru(II) concentrations required to evaluate intercalation, most of the DNA strands acquire a twisted, curled conformation that is impossible to measure accurately. The condensation of DNA on mica in the presence of polycations is well known, but it clearly precludes the accurate assessment by AFM of DNA intercalation by most Ru(II) complexes, though not by ethidium bromide and other monovalent intercalators. When stretching individual DNA molecules using optical tweezers, the same limitation on high metal concentration does not exist. Using optical tweezers, we show that Ru(phen)2dppz2+ intercalates avidly (K(b) = 3.2 x 10(6) M(-1)) whereas Ru(bpy)3(2+) does not intercalate, even at micromolar ruthenium concentrations. Ru(phen)3(2+) is shown to intercalate weakly (i.e., at micromolar concentrations (K(b) = 8.8 x 10(3) M(-1))). The distinct differences in DNA stretching behavior between Ru(phen)3(2+) and Ru(bpy)3(2+) clearly illustrate that intercalation can be distinguished from groove binding by pulling the DNA with optical tweezers. Our results demonstrate both the benefits and challenges of two single-molecule methods of exploring DNA binding and help to elucidate the mode of binding of Ru(phen)3(2+).