Synthesis, characterization, and DNA binding of new water-soluble cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes incorporating phosphines

The new water-soluble ruthenium(II) chiral complexes RuCpX(L)(L')](n+) (X = Cl, I. L = PPh3; L' = PTA, mPTA; L = L' = PTA, mPTA) (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane; mPTA = N-methyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) have been synthesized and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The salt mPTA(OSO2CF3) was also prepared and fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques. X-ray crystal structures of RuClCp(PPh3)(PTA)] (2), RuCpI(PPh3)(PTA)] (3), and RuCpI(mPTA)(PPh3)](OSO2CF3) (9) have been determined. The binding properties toward DNA of the new hydrosoluble complexes have been studied using the mobility shift assay. The ruthenium chloride complexes interact with DNA depending on the hydrosoluble phosphine bonded to the metal, while the corresponding compounds with iodide, RuCpI(PTA)2] (1), RuCpI(PPh3)(PTA)] (3), RuCpI(mPTA)2](OSO2CF3)2 (6), and RuCpI(mPTA)(PPh3)](OSO2CF3) (9), do not bind to DNA.