[Ruthenium(II)(bpy)(2)L](2+), where L are imidazo[f]-1,10-phenanthrolines: synthesis, photophysics and binding with DNA.

Three Ru(II) complexes of type as [Ru(II)(bpy)(2)L](2+) were synthesized, where L are l,10-phenanthroline derivatives of imidazole (1), having at position 2 alpha-naphthyl (2), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenyl (3). All complexes show intense MLCT transition both in acetonitrile and in water and also exhibit strong emission at room temperature, which is efficiently quenched by oxygen as well as, to some extent, by water. The binding of complexes 1-3 to calf thymus DNA was investigated by using electronic absorption, steady-state luminescence, luminescence quenching, excited-state lifetime and circular dichroism spectra. Hypochromic effect, luminescence enhancement, and quenching studies demonstrate the existence of intercalation mode. Circular dichroism spectra indicate the stereoselectivity of the binding. The binding of 1-3 with DNA is sensitive to the nature of ligands, such as planarity, pi-electron extension and hydrophobicity. Complex 3 exhibits the strongest binding with DNA, which can be attributed to hydrogen bonding.