Synthesis, characterization and DNA binding studies of a zinc complex with 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl) pyridine.

A zinc(II) complex having planar tridentate ligand, bzimpy, where bzimpy is 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl) pyridine was synthesized and characterized by UV, NMR, infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence spectra. The zinc complex acts as dibasic acids, in which N-H protons on benzimidazole moieties are responsible for a deprotonation site. Both the absorption spectra and reduction potentials are strongly dependent on the solution pH, which leads to the basis of a proton-induced molecular switch. The binding of this complex with calf thymus DNA has been investigated by absorption, luminescence titrations and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that the zinc(II) complex intercalates into DNA base pairs via the ligand bzimp.

Electrochemical and phosphorescent properties of new Ir(III) complexes coordinated by various bipyridine derivatives.

Four useful polypyridine iridium(III) complexes in the form of [IrCl2L2]+ were prepared and their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties as well as X-ray crystallography were investigated. The ligands used were L = 2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, and 2,2'-biquinoline. Synthetic methods were developed by a sequential ligand-replacement, which occurred in the reaction vessel using a microwave oven. All complexes showed that LUMOs are based on the pi-system contribution of the polypyridine ligand for [IrCl2(bpy)2]+, [IrCl2(dmbpy)2]+, [IrCl2(dpbpy)2]+, [IrCl2(phen)2]+, [IrCl2(dpphen)2]+ and [IrCl2(bqn)2]+. The HOMOs are also localized on the polypyridine ligand in the iridium complexes. It was found that [IrCl2L2]+ emits intense phosphorescence at room temperature. In particular, the use of dpbpy as ancillary ligands extends the lifetime (660 ns) of the 3(pi-pi*) excited states of Ir(III) polypyridine complexes. The complex [IrCl2(bqn)2]+ with electron acceptor substituents shows a large red-shift to 622 nm. It is noticed that iridium polypyridine complexes show intense emissions at various colors, such as yellow for [IrCl2(dmbpy)2]+ and red for [IrCl2(bqn)2]+ which can be applied to photosensitizers. The spectroscopic and electrochemical details are also reported herein.

Electrochemical and luminescent properties of new mononuclear ruthenium(II) and binuclear iridium(III)-ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes.

Hexafluorophosphate salts of mononuclear complexes [Ru(II)Cl(L)(terpy)]+ (L = dmbpy (1); dpbpy (2), sambpy (3), and dpp (7), and binuclear complexes [Ru(II)2Cl2(dpp)(terpy)2]2+ (8) and [Ir(III)Ru(II)Cl2(dpp)(terpy)2]3+ (9) were prepared and characterized. Abbreviations of the ligands are bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dmbpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, dpbpy = 4,4'-diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine, dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, sambpy = 4,4'-bis((S)-(+)-alpha-1-phenylethylamido)-2,2'-bipyridine, and terpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine. The absorption spectra of 8 and 9 are dominated by ligand-centered bands in the UV region and by metal-to-ligand charge-transfer bands in the visible region. The details of their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties were investigated. In both binuclear complexes, it has been found that the HOMO is based on the Ru metal, and LUMO is dpp-based. [Ir(III)Ru(II)Cl2(dpp)(terpy)2]3+, indicating intense emission at room temperature, and a lifetime of 154 ns. The long lifetime of this bimetallic chromophore makes it a useful component in the design of supramolecular complexes.

Electrochemical and phosphorescent properties of new mixed-ligand Ir(II) complexes coordinated with both terpyridine and various bipyridine derivatives.

Seven useful mixed-ligand complexes in the form of [Ir(terpy)(L)Cl]2+ were prepared and their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties were investigated. The ligands used were terpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, L = 2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, 5-phenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine. Synthetic methods were developed by a sequential ligand-replacement which occurred in the reaction vessel using a microwave oven. All complexes showed that LUMOs are based on the pi-system contribution of the terpyridine ligand for [Ir(terpy)(bpy)Cl]2+, [Ir(terpy)(dmbpy)Cl]2+, [Ir(terpy)(dpbpy)Cl]2+, [Ir(terpy)(phen)Cl]2+, [Ir(terpy)(dpphen)Cl]2+ and [Ir(terpy)(phphen)Cl]2+. On the other hand, the LUMO in the [Ir(terpy)(bppz)Cl]2+ complex is localized on the pi-system of the bppz ligand, whereas the HOMOs in the iridium complexes are localized on the terpyridine ligand. It was found that Ir(terpy)(L)Cl emits in a fluid solution at room temperature. The ancillary ligands, such as terpy and bpy, have been explored to extend the lifetime of the triplet 3(pi-pi') excited states of Ir(III) terpyridine complexes. Ir(III) terpyridine units with an electron donor (dmbpy) or electron acceptor substituents (terpy, dpbpy, phphen, dpphen and bppz) are found to decrease the energy of the 3LC states for use as photosensitizer molecular components in supramolecular devices. The spectroscopic and electrochemical details are also reported herein.