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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
A multifunctional tetrametallic Ru-Pt supramolecular complex exhibiting both DNA binding and photocleavage
Ran Miao1, Matthew T Mongelli, David F Zigler
1Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0212, USA.
Abstract:
A new tetrametallic supramolecular complex, [{(bpy)2Ru(dpp)}2Ru(dpp)PtCl2](PF6)6 (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine), has been prepared and characterized. This supramolecular assembly is multifunctional, forming coordinate covalent bonds to DNA through its cis-PtCl2 moiety and photocleaving DNA through its Ru polypyridine chromophores. Electronic absorption spectroscopy shows ligand-based pi-->pi* transitions in the UV with Ru-based metal-to-ligand charge transfer transitions throughout much of the visible. The Ru-->dpp CT transitions center at 542 nm (eta = 35 000 M-1 cm-1). This complex has a HOMO localized on peripheral Ru with E(1/2)oxd = 1.58 V vs Ag/AgCl, and a LUMO based on the mu-dpp connecting Ru and Pt, E(1/2)red = -0.40 V. Gel electrophoresis analysis shows the tetrametallic coordinates to pUC18 DNA and, when excited with visible light, cleaves DNA through an oxygen-mediated pathway.
