A new, bioactive structural motif: Visible light induced DNA photobinding and oxygen independent photocleavage by RuII, RhIII bimetallics

The Ru,Rh bimetallic complexes, [(bpy)2Ru(dpp)RhCl2(phen)]3 + and [(bpy)2Ru(bpm)RhCl2(phen)]3 + couple only one ruthenium polyazine light absorber to a cis-RhIIICl2 center and display visible light induced DNA binding and photocleavage via an oxygen independent mechanism. This previously unexplored structural motif for DNA modification holds promises in photodynamic therapy and DNA modification schemes.