Functionalized ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes as DNA molecular light switches

Octahedral ruthenium(Ⅱ)polypyridyl complexes have rich photophysical and photochemical properties. Their luminescence can be perturbed upon binding to DNA,providing sensitive probes for double stranded DNA in solution.In recent years,these complexes have been widely used as non-radioactive DNA molecular light switches.In this paper,we present research progress on the DNA molecular light switch function of some different mononuclear and binuclear ruthenium(Ⅱ)polypyridyl complexes,which may make some contribution to the further development of novel molecular light switches for DNA with higher efficiency.