Synthesis and Structure of the Ruthenium(II) Complexes [(eta-C(5)Me(5))Ru(NO)(bipy)](2+) and [(eta-C(5)Me(5))Ru(NO)(dppz)](2+). DNA Cleavage by an Organometallic dppz Complex (bipy = 2,2'-Bipyridine; dppz = Dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine).

The salts [(eta-C(5)Me(5))Ru(NO)(bipy)][OTf](2) (1[OTf](2)) and [(eta-C(5)Me(5))Ru(NO)(dppz)][OTf](2) (2[OTf](2)) are obtained from the treatment of (eta-C(5)Me(5))Ru(NO)(OTf)(2) with 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) or dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) (OTf = OSO(2)CF(3)). X-ray data for 1[OTf](2): monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, a = 11.553 (4) Å, b = 16.517 (5) Å, c = 14.719 (4) Å, beta = 94.01 (2) degrees, V = 2802 (2) Å(3), Z = 4, R1 = 0.0698. X-ray data for 2[OTf](2): monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, a = 8.911 (2) Å, b = 30.516 (5) Å, c = 24.622 (4) Å, beta = 99.02 (1) degrees, V = 6613 (2) Å(3), Z = 8, R1 = 0.0789. Both 1[OTf](2) and 2[OTf](2) are soluble in water where they exhibit irreversible electrochemical oxidation and reduction. A fluorescence-monitored titration of a DNA solution containing 2[OTf](2) with ethidium bromide provides evidence that 2(2+) intercalates into DNA with a binding constant greater than 10(6) M(-)(1). DNA cleavage occurs when the DNA solutions containing 2[OTf](2) are photolyzed or treated with H(2)O(2) or K(2)S(2)O(8).