A multifunctional tetrametallic Ru-Pt supramolecular complex exhibiting both DNA binding and photocleavage.

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.

Variation of DNA photocleavage efficiency for [(TL)2Ru(dpp)]Cl2 complexes where TL=2,2'-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, or 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline.

The complexes [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)]Cl(2), [(phen)(2)Ru(dpp)]Cl(2), and [(Ph(2)phen)(2)Ru(dpp)]Cl(2) (where dpp=2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, phen=1,10-phenanthroline, Ph(2)phen=4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) have been investigated and found to photocleave DNA via an oxygen-mediated pathway. These light absorbing complexes possess intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions in the visible region of the spectrum. The [(TL)(2)Ru(dpp)](2+) systems populate (3)MLCT states after visible light excitation, giving rise to emissions in aqueous solution centered at 692, 690, and 698nm for TL=bpy, phen, and Ph(2)phen respectively. The (3)MLCT states and emissions are quenched by O(2), producing a reactive oxygen species. These complexes photocleave DNA with varying efficiencies, [(Ph(2)phen)(2)Ru(dpp)](2+)>[(phen)(2)Ru(dpp)](2+)>[(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)](2+). The presence of the polyazine bridging ligand will allow these chromophores to be incorporated into larger supramolecular assemblies.