Spectroelectrochemical studies of a ruthenium complex containing the pH sensitive 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-bipyridine ligand.

Attaining high oxidation states at the metal center of transition metal complexes is a key design principle for many catalytic processes. One way to support high oxidation state chemistry is to utilize ligands that are electron-donating in nature. Understanding the structural and electronic changes of metal complexes as higher oxidation states are reached is critical towards designing more robust catalysts that are able to turn over at high rates without decomposing.

Ruthenium Complexes are pH-Activated Metallo Prodrugs (pHAMPs) with Light-Triggered Selective Toxicity Toward Cancer Cells.

Metallo prodrugs that take advantage of the inherent acidity surrounding cancer cells have yet to be developed. We report a new class of pH-activated metallo prodrugs (pHAMPs) that are activated by light- and pH-triggered ligand dissociation. These ruthenium complexes take advantage of a key characteristic of cancer cells and hypoxic solid tumors (acidity) that can be exploited to lessen the side effects of chemotherapy.