Solid-Phase Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of DNA Labeled at the Nucleobase with Ru(bpy)₂(4-m-4‘-pa-bpy)²⁺

Abstract

A facile procedure for incorporating a Ru(diimine)(3)(2+) complex at the nucleobase in an oligonucleotide is reported that combines the advantages of Pd(0) cross-coupling and solid-phase DNA chemistries. These ruthenium-modified oligonucleotides form stable duplexes, and the favorable photophysical properties associated with the Ru(diimine)(3)(2+) complex are retained after site-specific covalent attachment.