Synthesis of a new Ni-phenanthroline complex and its application as an electrochemical probe for detection of nucleic acid

A new DNA sensor using a nickel(II) phenanthroline complex ([Ni(phen)2PHPIP]·2ClO4) as the electrochemical probe was developed. The sensor is very sensitive and selective for calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) detection in aqueous medium. The Ni-phenanthroline probe was synthesized by a two-step preparation using p-hydroxy-phenylimidazo-1,10-phenanthroline (PHPIP) as the ligand and characterized with IR, UV and MS. Some interesting electrochemical properties of the Ni-complex and the interactions of the complex with ctDNA were reported. The calculated dynamics parameters of the electrode process indicate that there are obvious interactions between the probe and the ctDNA in aqueous solution. Under constant potential conditions, the redox current peak of the probe (Ni-complex) decreases obviously as the probe interacts/binds with ctDNAs. This unexpected electrochemical behavior may suggest that a new adduct through the binding of Ni-phenanthroline complex with ctDNA is formed electrochemically. By estimation, the binding ratio of the probe and ctDNA was found to be 1:1 with a binding constant β = 4.29 × 105 mol L−1 in aqueous solution at room temperature.