Novel redox-active DNA labeling tags with tunable electrochemical potentials are modularly synthesized using (a) bis-substituted Ru2+ or Os2+ precursors (R2bpy) 2ML2,(b) substituted 2, 4-pentanediones or hydroxamic acids bearing a functionalized linker, and (c) modified nucleotides. DNA polymerase efficiently incorporates the metal-containing nucleotide triphosphate into DNA oligonucleotides.
