Abstract/Description
Molecular recognition and binding of oligosaccharides play an essential role in many biological processes including cell-cell recognition, signaling and adhesion. Our group is currently involved in the development of metal based receptors that can effectively bind specific glycoconjugates. Species that can selectively bind and chemically alter membrane glycoconjugates have the potential to inhibit tumor cell metastasis, inflammation and fibrosis. As an initial step towards our goal the interactions of cis-Ru(bpy)2(DMF)22+ (bpy = bipyridine, DMF = dimethylformamide) and cis-Ru(acac)2(CH3CN)2+ (acac = acetylacetonate) with the monosaccharides glucose and mannose have been examined to identify and understand the conditions necessary for complexation of sugars to ruthenium. Cis-Ru(bpy)2(DMF)22+ has been synthesized from cis-Ru(bpy)2Cl2 by addition of Ag+ which removes the chloride ions as silver chloride. This newly isolated compound represents a valuable precursor for binding studies with monosaccharides because we expect that the DMF ligands will be readily displaced. Binding studies with cis-Ru(bpy)2(DMF)22+ and simple monosaccharides indicate, however, that metal-sugar interactions are extremely weak. In order to strengthen these interactions, a second compound, cis-Ru(bpy)2(MeOH)22+ was isolated with the idea that the methanol group will be even more easily displaced than the DMF. Complexation studies suggest that addition of sugar to cis-Ru(bpy)2(MeOH)22+ resulted in modest changes in the electronic absorptions of cis-Ru(bpy)2(MeOH)22+. Such changes suggest that when weakly coordinating solvents such as methanol are present weak metal-saccharide complexation occurs in solution.
Recommended Citation
McDonald, Lindsay
(2008).
Interactions of cis-bis Ruthenium Complexes with Monosaccharides.
Undergraduate Review, 4, 51-56.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/undergrad_rev/vol4/iss1/12
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