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Jim A Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to Jim A Thomas.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Dinuclear monointercalating RuII complexes that display high affinity binding to duplex and quadruplex DNA.

The DNA duplex binding properties of previously reported dinuclear Ru(II) complexes based on the ditopic ligands tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3'',2''-h:2'',3''-j]phenazine (tppz) and tetraazatetrapyrido[3,2-a:2'3'-c:3'',2''-l:2''',3'''-n]pentacene (tatpp) are reported. Photophysical and biophysical studies indicate that, even at high ionic strengths, these complexes bind to duplex DNA, through intercalation, with affinities that are higher than any other monointercalating complex and are only equalled by DNA-threaded bisintercalating complexes. Additional studies at high ionic strengths using the 22-mer d(AG(3)[T(2)AG(3)](3)) [G3] human telomeric sequence reveal that the dinuclear tppz-based systems also bind with high affinity to quadruplex DNA. Furthermore, for these complexes, quadruplex binding is accompanied by a distinctive blue-shifted "light-switch" effect, characterized by higher emission enhancements than those observed in the analogous duplex effect. Calorimetry studies reveal that the thermodynamics of duplex and quadruplex binding is distinctly different, with the former being entirely entropically driven and the latter being both enthalpically and entropically favored.

DNA↗

Kinetically locked, trinuclear Ru(II) metallo-macrocycles--synthesis, electrochemical, and optical properties.

Using a [Ru(II)([9]aneS3)] templating moiety, kinetically-locked, metallomacrocycles incorporating adenine based ligands have been synthesised through self-assembly. The kinetically robust nature of these structures is confirmed by electrochemical studies: each can be reversibly oxidised in a four-member redox series, containing two formally mixed valence states. Unusually, the electrochemically derived comproportionation constants for these mixed valence states are very different, suggesting that intermetallic coupling differs between the two states. Spectroelectochemistry studies confirm that while the [Ru(II)2Ru(III)] state is valence localised, the [Ru(II)Ru(III)2] state is electronically delocalised. Mechanisms by which this switching effect could occur, which involve the unusual connectivities in these mixed valence species, are presented.

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Studies on the interaction of extended terpyridyl and triazine metal complexes with DNA.

The interaction with duplex DNA of a series of 12 previously synthesised ruthenium (II) complexes incorporating extended terpyridines or analogous ligands is reported. The interaction was investigated using absorption spectroscopy and also, when possible, luminescence spectroscopy. Binding parameters for the interactions were estimated using established models. It was found that binding affinities are relatively large and their magnitude is somewhat dependent on the metal centre attached to the ligand. Viscosity studies reveal that all the complexes interact with DNA through groove binding and not intercalation. The variation in binding affinities of these complexes is rationalised by a consideration of electrostatic and steric factors.

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Self-assembled, kinetically locked, Ru(II)-based metallomacrocycles: physical, structural, and modeling studies.

By using a "complex as ligand approach," the metal-ion-templated self-assembly of heterometallic tetranuclear metallomacrocycles containing kinetically locked Ru(II) centers is described. Depending on the metal-ion template employed in the self-assembly process, the final macrocycle can be kinetically labile or inert. Electrochemical studies reveal that the kinetically inert macrocycles display reversible Ru(III/II) oxidation couples. The crystal structure of a kinetically inert Ru2Re2 macrocycles reveals a structurally complex palmate anion-binding pocket. Host-guest studies carried out with the same macrocyle in organic solvents reveals that the complex functions as a luminescent sensor for anions and that binding affinity and luminescent modulation is dependent on the structural nature and charge of the guest anion. Computational density functional theory (DFT) studies support the hypothesis that the luminescence of the macrocycle is from a 3MLCT state and further suggests that the observed guest-induced luminescence changes are most likely due to modulation of nonradiative decay processes.

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Structure and properties of Dinuclear [RuII([n]aneS4)] complexes of 3,6-Bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine.

The synthesis of dinuclear [Ru(II)([n]aneS(4))] (where n = 12, 14) complexes of the bridging ligand 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine are reported. The X-ray structures of both of the new complexes are compared to a newly obtained structure for a dinuclear [Ru(II)([9]aneS(3))]-based analogue, whose synthesis has previously been reported. A comparison of the electrochemistry of the three complexes reveals that the first oxidation of the [Ru(II)([n]aneS(4))]-based systems is a ligand-based couple, indicating that the formation of the radical anion form of the bridging ligand is stabilized by metal center coordination. Spectroelectrochemistry studies on the mixed-valence form of the new complexes suggest that they are Robin and Day Class II systems. The electrochemical and electronic properties of these complexes is rationalized by a consideration of the pi-bonding properties of thiacrown ligands.

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Electrochemical properties of dinuclear [Ru([n]aneS4)] complexes of 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine.

The syntheses of three new dinuclear [Ru([n]aneS(4))] complexes, where n = 12, 14, 16, bridged by the ligand 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, (dpp) are reported. The absorption spectra of the complexes show changes in the energy of the MLCT bands within the series, indicating that the thiacrown ligands stabilise the Ru(II) oxidation state to different degrees. Electrochemical studies are also consistent with these observations, and reveal that the pi-acceptor properties of [n]aneS(4) ligands lead to metal based oxidation couples occurring at potentials that are more anodic than those observed in the analogous dinuclear [Ru(bpy)(2)](2+) complex. Despite the back-bonding properties of the thiacrown ligands leading to a reduction in ligand-bridge mediated metal-metal coupling, electrochemical interactions between the metals are still considerable.

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A convenient synthetic route to half-sandwich rhodium(III) complexes of the tripodal ligand tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane.

The synthesis of the complex [RhCl3tpm*], (1), (tpm*= tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane) is reported. This complex is a suitable starting material for the synthesis of heteroleptic half-sandwich complexes: it has been used to synthesise the complexes; [RhCl(bpy)tpm*][(PF6)2][2][(PF6)2](bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl), [RhCl(phen)tpm*][(PF6)2][3][(PF6)2]. (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [RhCl2(py)tpm*][(PF6)], [4][(PF6)2], (py = pyridine), and[RhCl(py)2tpm*][(PF6)2], [5][(PF6)2]. The structures of [2][(PF6)2], [33][(PF6)2], [4][(PF6)2], and [5][(PF6)2] have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of these new compounds have also been investigated.

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DNA binding of an organic dppz-based intercalator.

An improved synthesis of a water-soluble derivative of dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) is reported. The structures of both dppz and the cation ethylene-bipyridyldiylium-phenazine dinitrate [[1][(PF(6))(2)]] have been obtained via X-ray crystallography. Metal complex derivatives of dppz are very well studied. However, using the water soluble [1][(NO(3))(2)], the nature of the interaction of a simple dppz unit with duplex DNA has been investigated for the first time. In both organic solvents and water, 1 displays unstructured luminescence, assigned to an intramolecular charge transfer. The emission is quenched on binding to natural and synthetic duplex DNA, including poly(dA).poly(dT). A variety of techniques reveal that the cation binds to DNA with an affinity comparable to those of many metal dppz complexes, via an intercalative binding mode.

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A facile route to bimetallic ruthenium dipyridophenazine complexes.

Using achiral coordinatively unsaturated metal complex building-blocks, the two step synthesis of a bimetallic complex containing independent [Ru(II)dppz] units tethered together by a linking 4,4'dipyridyl-1,5-pentane ligand is reported. Photophysical studies on this prototype system indicate that the characteristic luminescence of the [Ru(II)dppz] moieties is perturbed by self-quenching processes. Preliminary binding studies on the complex with natural and synthetic duplex DNA is reported. Luminescence and calorimetric titrations reveal that the complex does not show enhanced binding affinity with respect to analogous monometallic complexes. This result is interpreted by a consideration of the length and rigidity of the linker employed in the complex.

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Kinetically inert transition metal complexes that reversibly bind to DNA.

Transition metal complexes that reversibly bind to DNA have been studied for almost 30 years. In the last few years a variety of new systems have been developed, employing a range of metal ions and ligand architectures. In many cases, high affinity binding and specific selectivities have been observed. These complexes display properties that make them attractive as probes of DNA structure and function, suggesting that they may find a rôle as prototypical tools for a spectrum of applications, from basic molecular biology to medicine. This review presents an overview of some of the structures and properties of such complexes.

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Ru(II) electron transfer systems containing S-donor ligands.

The synthesis and properties of 3 new ligand-bridged bimetallic complexes, 1(2+), 2(2+), and 3(2+), containing [RuCl([9]aneS(3))](+) metal centers are reported. Each complex was bridged by a different ditopic ligand. 1(2+) is bridged by 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (bptz), while 2(2+) and 3(2+) are bridged by 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp) and 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpym), respectively. The Ru([II]) isovalent states of these complexes have been investigated using a variety of techniques. In the case of 3(2+), X-ray crystallography studies show preferential crystallization of an anti form with respect to coordinated chloride ligands (crystal data for [3][Cl(2)].4H(2)O: C(20)H(38)Cl(4)N(4)O(4)Ru(2)S(6), monoclinic, space group P2(1)/a, a = 10.929(14), b = 13.514(17), c = 11.299(16) A, beta = 90.52(1), V = 1669 A(3), Z = 2). UV/vis spectroscopy shows that spectra of these complexes are dominated by intraligand (pi-->pi) and metal-to-ligand Ru(d)-->L(pi) charge transfer transitions. Electrochemical studies reveal that metal-metal interactions are sufficiently intense to generate the Ru(III)/Ru(II) mixed valence [[RuCl([9]aneS(3))(2)](L-L)](3+) state, where L-L = individual bridging ligands. Although the 1(3+), 2(3+), and 3(3+) mixed valence states were EPR silent at room temperature and 77 K, isotropic solution spectra were observed for the electrochemically generated radical cations 1(+), 2(+), and 3(+), with 1(+) displaying well-resolved hyperfine coupling to bridging ligand nitrogens. Using UV/vis/NIR spectroelectrochemistry, we investigated optical properties of the mixed valence complexes. All three showed intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) bands that are much more intense than electrochemical data indicate. Indeed, a comparison of IVCT data for 1(3+) with an analogous structure containing [(NH3)(3)Ru](2+) metal centers shows that the IVCT in the new complex is an order of magnitude more intense. It is concluded that although the new complexes show relatively weak electrostatic interactions, they possess large resonance energies.

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