Synthesis of Bis(bpy)-Ru-L-Pteridine  Posted June 22nd, 2010 at
2:46 pm.  Abstract: Alexandra Gaudette Mentor: Dr. Burgmayer
Ruthenium pteridine complexes have been widely studied for their
ability to intercalate between bases of DNA. Intercalation
stiffens the DNA molecule, preventing it from replicating. When
irradiated in the presence of DNA, some Ruthenium-pteridine
complexes have been shown to photocleave. Because of these
properties, Ruthenium complexes are being explored as anti-
cancer drugs. The Burgmayer group has synthesized and studied
many bis(bipyridine)-Ruthenium complexes with substituted
pteridine ligands. This summer, I will attempt to create and
isolate the unsubstituted pteridine ligand complex and determine
its ability to intercalate and photocleave. Preliminary results
have shown that the unsubstituted pteridine complex cannot be
made cleanly using the same technique used in other ruthenium
complex syntheses. Syntheses of this complex monitored by mass
spectroscopy suggest the unsubstitut