Preparation,crystal structures and properties of half-sandwich ruthenium complexes containing salicylbenzoxazole ligands

Three half-sandwich ruthenium complexes [Ru(p-cymene)LCl] containing salicylbenzoxazole ligands [LH = 2-(5-methyl-benzoxazol-2-yl)-4-methyl-phenol (2a), LH = 2-(5-methyl-benzoxazol-2-yl)-4-chloro-phenol (2b), and LH = 2-(5-methyl-benzoxazol-2-yl)-4-bromo-phenol (2c)] were synthesized and characterized. All half-sandwich ruthenium complexes were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, MS, elemental analyses, and UV–vis as well as cyclic voltammetry (CV). The molecular structures of 2a, 2b, and 2c were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Single-crystal X-ray structures show that the synthesized ruthenium complexes are three-legged piano-stools with a six-membered metallocycle formed by coordination of the bidentate salicylbenzoxazole ligands to the metal centers. Data from CV and UV–vis absorption of the ruthenium complexes indicated that by changing the substituent on the para position of (donating or withdraw group) the salicylbenzoxazole ligands, minor changes in redox and electronic properties of the ruthenium complexes were observed.     

Half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with Schiff base ligands bearing a hydroxyl group: Preparation,characterization and catalytic activities

Three half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes with hydroxyl group functionalized Schiff-base ligands [Ru(p-cymene)LCl] ( 2a-2c ) have been synthesized and characterized. All ruthenium complexes were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, mass spectrometry and infrared spectrometry. The molecular structure of ruthenium complex 2c was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Furthermore, these half-sandwich ruthenium complexes were found to exhibit high catalytic activity for nitro compounds reduction using NaBH₄ reducing agent in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in water at room temperature.     

Synthesis,characterization, and transfer hydrogenation of Ru(II)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

A new series of ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes [RuL^1,2,3(p-cymene)Cl₂] (3a–c) (where L is a N-heterocyclic carbene), have been synthesized via transmetalation. The new ruthenium(II)-NHC complexes were applied to transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives and aldehydes using 2-propanol as a hydrogen source and KOH as a co-catalyst. The results show that the corresponding alcohols could be obtained in good yield with high catalyst activity (up to 100%) under mild conditions. [RuL¹(p-cymene)Cl₂] (3a) is much more active than the other complexes in transfer hydrogenation. Reactions, catalyzed by 3a–c, showed the highest reaction rates and yields of alcohol when the substrates bear more electron-withdrawing substituents. All new compounds were characterized by IR, elemental analysis, LC–MS (ESI), and NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic activity of half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with pyridine/phenylene bridged NHC = E (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene,E = S,Se) ligands

Three half-sandwichruthenium(II) complexes with pyridine/phenylene bridged NHC = E (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene, E = S, Se) ligands [Ru(p-cymene)L](PF₆)_1–2 ( 1a–1c , L = ligand) were synthesized and characterized. All ruthenium complexes were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, mass spectrometry, and single-crystalX-ray diffraction methods. Moreover, the half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with NHC = E ligands showed highly catalytic activities towards to the tandem dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB) and hydrogenation of R–NO₂ to R–NH₂ at 353 K in water.     

Synthesis, characterization, and X-ray structural analysis of some half-sandwich ruthenium(II) arene complexes with new N,S-donor Schiff base ligands

A series of cationic, half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with the general formula [(η⁶-arene)RuCl(R¹S-C₆H₄-2-CHNR²)]⁺ (arene = p-cymene or hexamethylbenzene; R¹ = CH₂Ph, ⁱPr, or Et; R² = aryl) have been prepared from the reaction of [(η⁶-arene)RuCl₂]₂ with various N,S-donor Schiff base ligands derived from 2-(alkylthio)benzaldehyde and several primary amines. All of the ruthenium complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, electrochemistry, and UV/Vis spectroscopies. The p-cymene complexes undergo irreversible oxidations while the hexamethylbenzene complexes undergo quasi-reversible oxidations. The molecular structures of ligand 1a and complexes 4a, 4l, and 5e were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and structural chemistry of arene-ruthenium half-sandwich complexes bearing an oxazolinyl-carbene ligand

Reaction of a series of directly connected oxazoline-imidazolium salts with silver(I) oxide and subsequent transmetallation with [Ru(p-cymene)Cl₂]₂ and anion exchange with KPF₆ cleanly gave the corresponding 2-oxazolinyl-(N-mesityl)imidazolidene(chloro)ruthenium(II) half-sandwich complexes [RuCl(oxcarb)(p-cymene)]PF₆, two derivatives of which were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Abstraction of the chloro ligand furnished the dicationic aqua complexes [Ru(H₂O)(oxcarb)(p-cymene)](PF₆)₂ which possess a similar coordination geometry. The syntheses were found to be highly diastereoselective, since only one diastereoisomer could be observed in all ruthenium complexes upon reaction of the chiral enantiopure oxazoline-imidazolium salts. Their potential as transfer hydrogenation and Lewis acid catalysts has been probed.     

N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)-Stabilized Ru0 Nanoparticles: In Situ Generation of an Efficient Transfer Hydrogenation Catalyst

Tethered and untethered ruthenium half-sandwich complexes were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. X-ray crystallographic analysis of three untethered and two tethered Ru N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes were also carried out. These RuNHC complexes catalyze transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones in 2-propanol under reflux, optimally in the presence of (25 mol %) KOH. Under these conditions, the formation of 2–3 nm-sized Ru⁰ nanoparticles was detected by TEM measurements. A solid-state NMR investigation of the nanoparticles suggested that the NHC ligands were bound to the surface of the Ru nanoparticles (NPs). This base-promoted route to NHC-stabilized ruthenium nanoparticles directly from arene-tethered ruthenium–NHC complexes and from untethered ruthenium–NHC complexes is more convenient than previously known routes to NHC-stabilized Ru nanocatalysts. Similar catalytically active RuNPs were also generated from the reaction of a mixture of [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ and the NHC precursor with KOH in isopropanol under reflux. The transfer hydrogenation catalyzed by these NHC-stabilized RuNPs possess a high turnover number. The catalytic efficiency was significantly reduced if nanoparticles were exposed to air or allowed to aggregate and precipitate by cooling the reaction mixtures during the reaction.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of two cationic dinuclear cymene-ruthenium(II) complexes with thiolato and chloro bridges

Treatment of [(p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ with HSp-Tol or HSCH₂Ph in the presence of K[PF₆] gave the cationic dinuclear cymene–ruthenium(II) complexes [(p-cymene)₂Ru₂(μ-Cl)(μ-Sp-Tol)₂][PF₆] (1) and [(p-cymene)₂Ru₂(μ-Cl)(μ-SCH₂Ph)₂][PF₆] (2), respectively, which have been characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry along with microanalyses. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The structures of the cationic complexes contain the unusual pseudo-trigonal-bipyramidal Ru₂S₂Cl framework without a ruthenium–ruthenium single bond. The two p-cymene–ruthenium units are held together by two bridging thiolates and one bridging chloride.     

Ruthenium titanocene and ruthenium titanium half-sandwich bimetallic complexes in catalytic cyclopropanation

The reaction of the phosphine functionalised titanium half-sandwich complexes 7, 9 and 10 with the binuclear complex [(p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ allowed the access to three new early-late bimetallic complexes (p-cymene)[(μ-η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄(CH₂)_nPR₂)TiX₃]RuCl₂ (11-13). The structure of 11 (n = 0, X = Cl) has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The ruthenium titanium half-sandwich bimetallic complexes so formed and the ruthenium titanocene analogues 4-6 catalyse the addition of ethyl diazoacetate to styrene with high selectivity toward cyclopropanation versus metathesis contrary to the monometallic complexes (p-cymene)RuCl₂PR₃.     

Syntheses of [(η 6- p -cymene)Ru(EPh3)2Cl]+ complexes and molecular structure of chloro(η 6- p -cymene)-bis(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) tetrafluoroborate (E = P,As and Sb)

The reaction of [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ with excess EPh₃ (E = P, As, Sb) in methanol in the presence of ammonium tetrafluoroborate leads to the formation of complexes of the type [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(EPh₃)₂Cl]BF_4, E = P (1), As (2), Sb (3), which arise through cleavage of the chloride bridges. These complexes were characterized by spectral and analytical data. The crystal structure of 1 was solved by single-crystal X-ray crystallography in order to establish the exact structure in the solid state. The complex crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/n (#14) with a = 12.42500(10), b = 30.1925(3), c = 11.06530(10)?Å, β = 103.1470(10)°.     

Half-sandwich para-cymene ruthenium(II) naphthylazophenolato complexes: Synthesis,molecular structure,light emission,redox behavior and catalytic oxidation properties

A series of conformationally rigid half-sandwich organoruthenium(II) complexes with the general formula [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl(L)] (where L = mono anionic 2-(naphthylazo)phenolato ligands) have been synthesized from the reaction of [{(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl}₂(μ-Cl)₂] with a set of 2-(naphthylazo)phenolato O,N-donor ligands. All the ruthenium complexes were fully characterized by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis. In dichloromethane solution all the metal complexes exhibits characteristic metal-to-ligand charge transfer bands (MLCT) and emission bands in the visible region. The molecular structure of one of the complexes [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(Cl)(L2)] (2) was determined by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical data of all the ruthenium complexes show a two metal centered voltammetric responses with respect to Ag/AgCl at scan rate 100 mV s⁻¹. Further, the complex (2) efficiently catalyzes the oxidation of a wide range of alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compounds in the presence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO) up to 97%.     

Mono- and di-nuclear azido η6-p-cymene ruthenium(II) complexes; synthesis,reactivity, and structures

The azide bridge complex [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(µ-N₃)Cl]₂ (2) was prepared from the reaction of sodium azide with [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl]₂ in ethanol. The molecular structures and spectroscopic properties of the various azido ruthenium complexes so obtained from the reaction with monodentate and bidentate ligands are described.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Molecular Structure of a new (?6-P-Cymene) Ruthenium(II) Amidine Complex, [(?6-P-Cymene)Ru{NH=C(Me)3,5-Dmpz}(3,5-Hdmpz)](BF4)2·H2O

A new arene ruthenium(II) complex [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(L)(3,5-Hdmpz)](BF₄)₂[sdot]H₂O (L = 1-methylcarbaldimino-3,5-dimethylpyrazole; 3,5-Hdmpz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole) has been synthesized. The ligand L has been generated in situ through the condensation of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole and acetonitrile in the presence of [{(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂}₂]. The complex [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru{NH=C(Me)3,5-dmpz}(3,5-Hdmpz)](BF₄)₂[sdot]H₂O crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/c, a = 10.943(2), b = 26.394(7), c = 11.502(1) Å, Β = 115.43(1)°, V = 3000.1(19) ų and Z = 4. The compound has been characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, 2D-COSY NMR spectroscopy and a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Synthesis,characterization and cytotoxic activity of organoruthenium(II)-halido complexes with 5-chloro-1H-benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acid

Three new ruthenium(II)-arene halido complexes, [(η⁶-p-cymene) RuX(L)] (1–3), were synthesized in a reaction of [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuX₂]₂ with 5-chloro-1H-benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acid (HL) in ethanol (X^– = Cl^– (1), Br^– (2), I^– (3)). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxic activity of the ligand precursor and its ruthenium complexes was tested by MTT assay in human cancer cell lines: lung adenocarcinoma (A549), myelogenous leukemia (K562) as well as in one normal human fetal lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5). The results show that ruthenium(II)-arene complexes possess enhanced cytotoxicity when compared to HL in the range of concentrations up to 300 µM. In terms of halido ligand substitution, cytotoxic activity toward A549 and K562 cell lines in 1–3 serie significantly increased (e.g., IC₅₀ values for K562: 1: 205.76 µM; 2: 174.77 µM; 3: 83.97 µM). All studied compounds were found to be ineffective toward MRC-5. Hydrolysis of 1–3 was followed by UV-vis spectroscopy at 25?°C, revealing ligand-substitution reactions at the Ru(II) center. Compounds 2 and 3 underwent rapid hydrolysis ranging from a few minutes for the aquation to ca. 20?min, confirming typical Ru-arene behavior in aqueous solutions.     

Metal-induced B—H activation in Cp*Rh,Cp*Ir, (p-cymene)Ru,and (p-cymene)Os half-sandwich complexes containing the 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12)-1,2-dichalcogenolato ligand

The reactivity of the 16e half-sandwich complexes Cp*Rh[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (1a,b), Cp*Ir[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (2a,b) (E = S (a), Se(b)), (p-cymene)Ru[S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (3), (p-cymene)Os[S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (4) (p-cymene = 1-Me-4-Prⁱ-benzene) towards various alkynes (acetylene, propyne, 3-methoxypropyne, methyl acetylenemonocarboxylate, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, phenylacetylene, ferrocenylacetylene) was studied. The reactions start with an insertion into one of the M—E bonds, followed (except for MeO₂C—CC—CO₂Me) by intramolecular, metal-induced B—H activation, formation of an M—B bond, accompanied by simultaneous transfer of a hydrogen atom from boron via the metal atom to the alkyne. This leads to new complexes with a cisoidor transoid geometry (orientation of the E—C=C unit with respect to the C(1)—B bond). This geometry determines the course of further intramolecular reactions which lead selectively to carboranes mono- or disubstituted in B(3,6) positions. Numerous intermediates and final products were characterized by X-ray analysis in the solid state, and by multinuclear magnetic resonance in solution. First catalytic applications of 1a,b became evident by cyclotrimerization reactions.     

Syntheses of (η6-p-cymene)ruthenium(II) piano-stool amine complexes: molecular structure of [(η6-C10H14)RuCl2(H2N-C6H4-p-Cl)]

The dimeric complex [{(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl}₂] (1) reacts with S,N-donor Schiff base ligands, para-substituted S-(thiophen-2-ylmethylene)phenylamines in methanol to give mononuclear amine complexes of the type [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂(NH₂–C₆H₄–p-X)] {X?=?H (2a); X?=?CH₃ (2b); X?=?OCH₃ (2c); X?=?Cl (2d); Br (2e) X?=?NO₂ (2f), respectively} by hydrolysis of the imine group of the ligand after coordination to the metal. The complexes were characterized by analysis and IR and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of [(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)RuCl₂(H₂N–C₆H₄–p-Cl)] (2d) was established by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Synthesis and catalytic properties of novel ruthenium N-heterocyclic-carbene complexes

The reaction of [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ with 1,3-dialkylimidazolinium salts 1a–f in the presence of a small excess of cesium carbonate yields chelated η⁶-arene, η¹-carbene ruthenium complexes 2a–f. All synthesised compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of RuCl₂(η⁶-arene, η¹-imidazolinylidene) complexes 2a–f was evaluated in the direct arylation of 2-phenylpyridine with chlorobenzene derivatives.     

Synthesis,characterization, in silico and in vitro biological activity studies of Ru(II) (η6-p-cymene) complexes with novel N-dibenzosuberene substituted aroyl selenourea exhibiting Se type coordination

A series of N-dibenzosuberene substituted aroyl selenourea ligands L1–L3 and their Ru(II) (η⁶-p-cymene) complexes 1–3, [Ru(II) (η⁶-p-cymene) L] (L?=?monodentate aroyl selenourea ligand) were synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of the ligand L3 and complex 3 were confirmed by single-crystal XRD method. The single-crystal XRD study results revealed that aroyl selenourea ligand coordinates with ruthenium via Se neutral monodentate atom. In vitro DNA interaction studies were investigated by UV–Visible and fluorescence spectroscopic methods which showed that the intercalative mode of binding is in the order of 3?>?2?>?1 with the Ru(II) (η⁶-p-cymene) complexes. The binding affinity of the bovine serum albumin with complexes was calculated using spectroscopic methods. Quantum chemical computations were made using DFT (density functional theory), BL3YP; LANL2DZ basis set in order to determine the frontier molecular orbital parameters and MESP for the newly synthesized complexes. The complexes 1–3 have shown intensive cytotoxicity against the cancer lines HepG-2 and A549 under in vitro conditions. Complex 3 (IC₅₀?=?62 μM) has shown significant cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 compared to cisplatin standard drug. The complexes also examined for their antimicrobial activity. The complex 2 exhibited good activity against B. subtilis (MIC: 13.60 μg/mL), E. coli (MIC: 8.01 μg/mL) and A. flavus (MIC?=?15.60 μg/mL), respectively, compared to reference drugs Streptomycin and Ketoconazole.

     

Cellular Mechanistic Considerations on Cytotoxic Mode of Action of Phosphino Ru(II) and Ir(III) Complexes

Two piano-stool ruthenium(II) complexes Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂PPh₂CH₂OH ( RuPOH ) and Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂P(p-OCH₃Ph)₂CH₂OH ( RuMPOH ) and two half-sandwich iridium(III) complexes Ir(η ⁵-Cp*)Cl₂PPh₂CH₂OH ( IrPOH ) and Ir(η ⁵-Cp*)Cl₂P(p-OCH₃Ph)₂CH₂OH ( IrMPOH ) have been studied in terms of potential anticancer activity on previously selected cell line (human lung adenocarcinoma). Based on experimental results obtained in monoculture in vitro model mechanistic considerations on the possible cellular modes of action have been carried out. ICP-MS analysis revealed the higher cellular uptake for less hydrophobic Ir(III) complexes in comparison to the corresponding Ru(II) compounds. Cytometric analysis showed a predominance of apoptosis over the other types of cell death for all complexes. The apoptotic pathway was confirmed by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspases-3/9 for both Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes. It was concluded that in the case of Ru(II) complexes the intense ROS generation is mainly responsible for the resulting cytotoxicity. The corresponding Ir(III) complexes trigger simultaneously at least three different cytotoxic pathways i. e., depletion of mitochondrial potential, activation of caspases-dependent apoptosis, and ROS-associated oxidation. Thus, it can be assumed that the final accumulation of toxic effects over time via parallel activation of different pathways results in the highest cytotoxicity in vitro exhibited by Ir(III) complexes when compared with Ru(II) complexes.