DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of [Ru(phen)2(NMIP)]2+

A novel ligand 2'-(2"-nitro-3",4"-methylenedioxyphenyl)imidazo[4',5'-f][1,10]-phenanthroline (NMIP) and its complex [Ru(phen)(2)(NMIP)](2+) have been synthesized and characterized by mass spectroscopy, H-1 NMR and cyclic voltammetry. Binding of the complex with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) has been investigated by spectroscopic methods, viscosity and electrophoresis measurements. The experimental results indicate that [Ru(phen)(2)(NMIP)](2+) binds to DNA via partial intercalative mode and the individual enantiomers of it bind to DNA in different rates. [Ru(phen)(2)(NMIP)](2+) has also been found to promote cleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA from the supercoiled Form I to the open circular Form 11 upon irradiation. (c) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.