A platinum(II) complex of a monoanionic, tetradentate β-diketiminate (BDI) ligand with pendant quinoline arms, BDIQQH, is reported. The complex, [Pt(BDIQQ)]Cl, is emissive in DMSO, but non-emissive in aqueous buffer. Upon binding DNA in buffer, however, a 150-fold turn-on in emission intensity occurs. Dynamic light scattering and 1H NMR spectroscopy indicate that [Pt(BDIQQ)]Cl forms non-emissive aggregates in aqueous solution; DNA-binding disperses the aggregates leading to the large emission turn-on response. The cytotoxic activity of the complex, measured in two cancer cell lines, is comparable to or better than that of the established anticancer drug cisplatin.
Dalton Transactions
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