Silica gel bearing isonicotinamide groups was prepared by further modification of 3-aminopropyl-functionalized silica by a reaction with isonicotinic acid and 1,3-dicyclohexylearbodiimide to yield 3-isonicotinamidepropyl-functionalized silica gel (ISNPS). This support was characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and specific surface area. The ISNPS was used to immobilize the [Ru(NH3)(4)SO3] moiety by reaction with trans- [Ru(NH3)(4) (SO2)Cl]Cl, yielding [ Si(CH2)(3)(isn)Ru(NH3)(4)(SO3)]. The related immobilized [ Si(CH2)(3)(isn)Ru(NH3)(4)(L)](3+/2+) (L = SO2, SO42-, OH2, and NO) complexes were prepared and characterized by means of UV-vis and IR spectroscopy, as well as by cyclic voltammetry. Syntheses of the nitrosyl complex were performed by reaction of the immobilized ruthenium ammine [ Si(CH2)(3)(isn)Ru(NH3)(4)(OH2)](2+) with nitrite in acid or neutral (pH 7.4) solution. The similar results obtained in both ways indicate that the aqua complex was able to convert nitrite into coordinated nitrosyl. The reactivity of [ Si(CH2)(3)(isn)Ru(NH3)(4)(NO)](3+) was investigated in order to evaluate the nitric oxide (NO) release. It was found that, upon light irradiation or chemical reduction, the immobilized nitrosyl complex was able to release NO, generating the corresponding Ru(III) or Ru(II) aqua complexes, respectively. The NO material could be regenerated from these NO-depleted materials obtained photochemically or by reduction. Regeneration was done by reaction with nitrite in aqueous solution (pH 7.4). Reduction-regeneration cycles were performed up to three times with no significant leaching of the ruthenium complex. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.