Current chemotherapy agents, such as cisplatin, cannot specifically target cancer cells which can cause detrimental side effects. Complexes that are inert until light activated allow for selective activation at the cancerous site, sparing healthy tissues. Ruthenium (II) complexes have been shown to have similar anti-cancer activity as cisplatin and have potential for light activation. However, ruthenium (II) complexes naturally absorb in the 400-500 nm range. Wavelengths &lt;650 nm are absorbed or scattered by biological tissues, which prevents high degrees of tissue penetration. We surmised that by adding electron donating ligands to ruthenium (II) complexes the absorbance of the complex could shift into the photodynamic therapy (PDT) window (700-900 nm) allowing for potential application in photochemotherapy. Two ruthenium complexes were synthesized using previously reported synthesis schemes and then characterized by 1H-NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Both Ru(bipyridine)2(thiophenol)2 and Ru(bipyridine)2(catechol) complexes showed increased absorbance in the PDT window compared to the Ru(bipyridine)2Cl2 precursor. Ru(bipyridine)2(thiophenol)2 had significantly greater absorbance in the 800-900 nm range while the Ru(bipyridine)2Cl2 precursor had no absorbance in the same range. This result demonstrates the effectiveness of electron donating ligands on shifting absorbance towards the required PDT window, and shows promise for future applications in photochemotherapy.

Effect of electron donating ligands on ruthenium complexes for use in photochemotherapy

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.