Abstract
The ‘molecular light switch’ complexes [Ru(bpy)
2(dppz)]
2+ (
1) and [Ru(phen)
2(dppz)]
2+ (
2), where bpy
=
2,2′-bipyridine, phen
=
1,10-phenanthroline and dppz
=
dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine, have been explored as probes for diagnosing and staining nuclear components. The phen complex acts as a better staining agent for nonviable cells than for viable cells and exhibits a staining efficiency in tail region of comet more specific and stronger than the already known dye Hoechst 33258.