Photoinduced DNA binding of a multi-metallic (Cu(II)/Ru(II)/Pt(II)) porphyrin complex

The synthesis of a new multi-metallic porphyrin based on the meso-5,10,15-tris(4-pyridyl)-20-pentafluorophenyl porphyrin containing a copper(II) metal center, two ruthenium(II) bipyridyl complexes bound to two peripheral N-pyridyl nitrogens, and a platinum(II) dichloro complex bound to the remaining N-pyridyl nitrogen is presented. The new complex binds to plasmid DNA more efficiently than the well known anticancer drug cis-platin, as determined by gel electrophoresis. When solutions of the plasmid DNA in the presence of the new complex are irradiated with visible light the rate of binding of the complex to DNA is enhanced even further.