Study of transient luminescence of three kinds of Ru complexes bound to DNA

Abstract

The transient luminescence of three kinds of ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)2(7-CH3-dppz)]2+, [Ru(bpy)2(7-F-dppz)]2+ and [Ru(phen)2(7-F-dppz)]2+ bound to calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) has been studied by using the time-resolved spectroscopy. The results show that the luminescence is due to the radiative decay from the charge-transfer states to the ground state. By the interaction with DNA, the radiativeless rate of the photoexcited Ru complex molecules decreases, which results in the increase of luminescence lifetime and efficiency. The structure of the Ru complex has an important impact on the interaction with DNA. The [Ru(bpy)2(7-CH3-dppz)]2+ shows the longest luminescence lifetime (about 382 ns), while the [Ru(bpy)2(7-F-dppz)]2+ shows the shortest lifetime (about 65 ns). The possible origin of the luminescence dynamics is discussed.