Experimental and density functional theory (DFT) studies on the DNA-binding trend and spectral properties of two new Ru(II) complexes: [Ru(L)2(mip)](ClO4)2 (L = 2,9-dmp and 4,7-dmp)

The new ligand 2′-(3″,4″-methylene-dioxyphenyl)imidazo[4′,5′-f] [1,10]phenanthroline (mip) and its Ru(II) complexes [Ru(2,9-dmp)2(mip)]2+ (1) (2,9-dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthrolline) and [Ru(4,7-dmp)2(mip)]2+ (2) (4,7-dmp = 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthrolline) were synthesized and characterized. The binding properties of the two complexes to calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were investigated by different spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements. Both 1 and 2 bind to CT-DNA in an intercalative mode, but with different binding strengths. Complex 2 can emit luminescence in the Tris buffer at ambient temperature, however, complex 1 showed no fluorescence emission, neither alone nor in the presence of CT-DNA. The circular-dichroism signal of the dialysate of the racemic complex against CT-DNA suggests that complexes 1 and 2 interact enantioselectively with CT-DNA. Furthermore, complexes 1 and 2 have been found to be an efficient photosensitiser for cracking DNA plasmid. Theoretical calculations for 1 and 2 were also carried out applying the density functional theory (DFT) method and applied to explain some obtained experimental observations.

Graphical abstractPhotoactivated cleavage of pBR-322 DNA in the absence and presence of the complex 1 (a) or 2 (b) after 60 min irradiation at 365 nm. Lane 0, in DNA alone; lanes (1–4), at 5, 10, 20, and 40 μM Ru(II) complexes, respectively.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide