Electrochemical and photophysical properties of DNA metallo-intercalators containing the ruthenium(II) tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane unit

Three new ruthenium(II) complexes containing the tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane (tpm) ligand have been prepared: [Ru(tpm)(L)(dppn)]n+ (where n = 1; L = Cl (5), n = 2; L = MeCN (6) and pyridine (7); dppn = benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine). Complex 6 was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Binding parameters of these complexes with calf thymus DNA are reported and compared to those obtained for a previously reported monocation, [RuCl(tpm)(dppz)]+. Binding studies with the dications and the synthetic oligonucleotides poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly(dG).poly(dC) have also been determined. Photophysical and electrochemical properties of 5-7 have been investigated and compared with their dipyridophenazine (dppz) analogues.