DNA photocleavage in anaerobic conditions by a Ru(ii) complex: a new mechanism†
Abstract
[Ru(bpy)2(py-SO3)]+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine and py-SO3 = pyridine-2-sulfonate) was found to undergo py-SO3 dissociation upon visible light irradiation (≥470 nm) via Ru–O homolysis, producing reactive free radical species, and is thus able to not only photobind but also photocleave DNA in hypoxic conditions.