Multinuclear DNA binding ruthenium complexe

This thesis reports the synthesis, characterisation and DNA binding of a number of novel ruthenium(II) complexes. Four mononuclear complexes were synthesised. These complexes were resolved using a large scale extraction procedure employing the chiral TRISPHAT anion. The racemic mononuclear complexes containing halogenated ligands were used in the synthesis of the racemic dinuclear complexes. Resolved mononuclear complexes were also used to stereo-selectively synthesise enantiomers of their respective dinuclear complexes. All metal complexes were characterised using fluorescence spectroscopy. Resolved metal complexes were further characterised using CD spectroscopy to determine their molar rotation coefficients and optical purity. Preliminary DNA binding studies were conducted using the racemic dinuclear complexes and their mononuclear equivalent. Titration experiments with calf thymus-DNA were used to determine the DNA binding constant and binding site size. Samples containing a higher NaCl concentration (100 mM) slightly improved the oligonucleotide spectrum resolution, but not to an extent where a complex binding model could be determined. Attempts to determine DNA binding preferences of the dinuclear complexes with oligonucleotides which contain two-adenine bulge sites using a 96-well a fluorescence plate reader were attempted, but were unsuccessful. Samples containing a higher NaCl concentration (100 mM) slightly improved the oligonucleotide spectrum resolution, but not to an extent where a complex binding model could be determined. Attempts to determine DNA binding preferences of the dinuclear complexes with oligonucleotides which contain two-adenine bulge sites using a 96-well a fluorescence plate reader were attempted, but were unsuccessful.