A novel square-planar Pt(II) complex as a monomeric and dimeric G-quadruplex DNA binder

A novel phenanthroimidazole ethylenediamine Pt(II) complex with coumarin derivative (1) was synthesized and showed higher affinity, selectivity and thermal stabilization for mixed-type dimeric G-quadruplexes (G2T1) over monomeric G-quadruplexes (G1) and duplex DNA. Complex 1 could bind to G-quadruplexes via end-stacking and external-binding modes.