Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2026

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
The pH-induced emission switching and interesting DNA-binding properties of a novel dinuclear ruthenium(II) complex
Furong Liu1, Kezhi Wang, Guangyao Bai
1Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
A novel dinuclear Ru(II) complex, [(bpy)(2)Ru(ebipcH(2))Ru(bpy)(2)](ClO(4))(4), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and ebipcH(2) = N-ethyl-4,7-bis([1,10]-phenanthroline[5,6-f]imidazol-2-yl)carbazole, has been newly synthesized. The pH effects on UV-vis absorption and emission spectra of the complex are studied, and ground- and excited-state ionization constants of the complex are derived. The binding of the complex to calf thymus (ct) DNA is investigated with absorption and luminescence titrations, steady-state emission quenching, and viscosity measurements. The complex acts as a pH-induced "on-off" emission switch between pH 8.0 and pH 10.0 with a maximum on-off ratio of approximately 100 which is favorably compared with the other imidazole-containing Ru(II) complex congeners, and a strong ct-DNA intercalator with an intrinsic binding constant of 1.31(+/-0.08) x 10(6) M(-)(1) in buffered 50 mM NaCl.
Related Concept Videos
Variables Affecting Phosphorescence and Fluorescence
EDTA: Chemistry and Properties
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3
Coordination Number and Geometry

