[Ru(bpy)₂(5-cyanouracil)₂]²⁺ as a Potential Light-Activated Dual-Action Therapeutic Agent

Abstract

The cation cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(5CNU)(2)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; 5CNU = 5-cyanouracil) was synthesized and investigated for use as a potential light-activated dual-action therapeutic agent. The complex undergoes efficient photoinduced 5CNU ligand exchange for solvent water molecules, thus simultaneously releasing biologically active 5CNU and generating [Ru(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+). The latter binds covalently to ds-DNA, such that photolysis results in the generation of 3 equiv of potential therapeutic agents from a single molecule.