Phosphorescent Ru(II) Complexes as Probes of Model Membrane Systems

Abstract The photophysical properties of phosphorescent Ru(II) diimine organometallic complexes conjugated to biomolecules have been investigated with a view toward developing probes for studying membrane dynamics. Studying their polarized emission after incorporation into liposomes and nanodiscs elucidates molecular motions of the bioconjugated complexes. The data exhibit a strong dependence on the environment of these probes in both liposomes and nanodiscs and open the door to more detailed investigations of membrane dynamics.