Oligo(U-terpyridines) and their ruthenium(II) complexes: synthesis and structural properties

A highly efficient domino reaction starting from tetrahydroquinolinone and a series of bisiminium salts provides the corresponding bis(U-terpyridines). These ligands have been treated with [(tpy)RuCl3] to afford novel dinuclear complexes [(tpy)Ru(L)Ru(tpy)]4+. The protocol is also applied for the synthesis of a star-shaped tris(U-terpyridine) and the trinuclear complex [{(tpy)Ru}3(L)]6+. In view of potential applications in the fields of metallopolymers and molecular devices, the electronic spectra, as well as the electrochemical potentials of all the complexes have been obtained. According to these data, no significant intermetal interaction has been observed for the ruthenium complexes presented here.     

Half-sandwich ruthenium(II)-arene complexes: synthesis,spectroscopic studies,biological properties,and molecular modeling

In search for antitumor metal-based drugs that would mitigate the severe side-effects of cisplatin, Ru(II) complexes are gaining increasing recent interest. In this work, we report on the synthesis, characterization (¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, FT-IR), and cytotoxicity studies of two new half-sandwich organometallic Ru(II) complexes of the general formula [Ru(η⁶-arene)(XY)Cl](PF₆) where arene?=?benzene or toluene and XY?=?bidentates: dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppz) or 2-(9-anthryl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (aip), which are bound to Ru(II) via two phenanthroline-N atoms in a characteristic “piano-stool” configuration of Ru(II)-arene complexes—as confirmed by vibrational and NMR spectra. In addition, cytotoxic studies were performed for similar half-sandwich organometallic [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(Me₂dppz)Cl]PF₆ complex (Me₂dppz = 11,12-dimethyl-dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine). This study is complemented with elaborate modeling with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which provided insight into reactive sites of Ru(II) structures, further detailed by molecular docking on the B-DNA dodecamer, which identified binding sites and affinities: most pronounced for the [Ru(η⁶-benzene)(aip)Cl](PF₆) in both A-T and G-C regions of the DNA minor groove. Cytotoxic activity was probed versus tumor cell lines B16, C6, and U251 (B16 mouse melanoma, C6 rat glioma, U251 human glioblastoma) and non-tumor cell line HACAT (HACAT normal human keratinocytes).     

Synthesis, spectroscopic, redox, catalytic and antimicrobial properties of some ruthenium(II) Schiff base complexes

A new series of mixed ligand semicarbazone or thiosemicarbazone complexes of Ru(II) having the general formula [RuCO(EPh₃)(B)L] (where E = P or As; B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Pyridine; L = dibasic tridentate ligand derived by the condensation of ethylacetoacetate/methylacetoacetate and thiosemicarbazide/semicarbazide) have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical, spectroscopic and electrochemical studies. A comparative study on the catalysis of oxidation of benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, cinnamyl alcohol, n-butanol, n-propanol and iso-butyl alcohol has been done with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide and molecular oxygen as co-oxidants. Catalytic activity studies of the complexes in coupling reactions have been carried out. The antibacterial properties of the complexes have also been examined.     

Heteroleptic tris-chelates of ruthenium(II): synthesis, spectral characterisation and electrochemical properties

A facile reaction of cis-trans-cis-RuCl(2)(RaaiR')(2) [RaaiR'=1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole, m-R-C(6)H(4)-NN-C(3)H(2)-NN-1-R', where R=H (a), OMe (b), NO(2) (c) and R'=Me (1), Et (2) and CH(2)Ph (3)] either with 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and AgNO(3) followed by NaClO(4) or [Ag(bpy)(2)](ClO(4)) in boiling acetone has isolated red-brown [Ru(bpy)(RaaiR')(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1a-c, 2a-c, 3a-c). The maximum molecular peak of [Ru(bpy)(OMeaaiMe)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1b) is observed at m/z 888.01 (100%) in the FAB mass spectrum. IR spectra of the complexes show CN and NN stretching at 1590 and 1370cm(-1) which is red shifted by 40 and 90cm(-1) from the free ligand value supports Ru-azo nitrogen pi bonding interaction. The emission spectra in frozen glass (77K) are sharper and considerably more intense than the room temperature spectra. The (1)H NMR spectral measurements suggest methylene, -CH(2)-, in RaaiEt gives a complex AB type multiplet while in RaaiCH(2)Ph it shows AB type quartets. Considering two arylazoimidazole moieties there are 20 different carbon atoms in the molecule which gives a total of 20 different peaks in the (13)C NMR spectrum. In the (1)H-(1)H COSY spectrum of the present complexes, absence of any off-diagonal peaks extending from delta=14.12 and 9.55ppm confirm their assignment of no proton on N(1) and N(3), respectively. Contour peaks in the (1)H-(13)C HMQC spectrum in the present complexes, the absence of any contours at delta=147.12, 160.76, 155.67 and 157.68 ppm assign them to the C(2), C(6), C(8) and C(e and e') carbon atoms, respectively. Cyclic voltammogram shows Ru(III)/Ru(II) redox couple along with three successive ligand reductions. The plot of difference in potential of first oxidation and reduction versus energy of main MLCT band (nu(CT)) is linear. Electrochemical parametrisation of Ru(III)/Ru(II) redox couple determines ligand potential E(L)(L).     

Physical, photophysical and structural properties of ruthenium(II) complexes containing a tetradentate bipyridine ligand

The focus of this report is the synthesis and properties of two new analogues of ruthenium(ii) tris-bipyridine, a monomer and dimer. The complexes contain the ligand 6,6'-(ethan-1,2-diyl)bis-2,2'-bipyridine (O-bpy) which contains two bipyridine units bridged in the 6,6' positions by an ethylene bridge. Crystal structures of the two complexes formulated as [Ru(bpy)(O-bpy)](PF6)2 and [(Ru(bpy)2)2(O-bpy)](PF6)4 reveal structures of lower symmetry than D3 which affects the electronic properties of the complexes as substantiated by density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. The HOMO lies largely on the ruthenium center; the LUMO spreads its electron density over the bipyridine units, but not equally in the mixed O-bpy-bpy complexes. Calculated Vis/UV spectra using TDDFT methods agree with experimental spectra. The lowest lying triplet excited state for [Ru(bpy)(O-bpy)](PF6)2 is 3MC resulting in a low emission quantum yield and a large chloride ion photosubstitution quantum yield.     

Synthesis, structure, spectroscopic properties, and electrochemical oxidation of ruthenium(II) complexes Incorporating monocarboxylate bipyridine ligands

[Ru(bpy)(2)(Mebpy-COOH)](PF(6))(2).3H(2)O (1), [Ru(phen)(2)(Mebpy-COOH)](ClO(4))(2).5H(2)O (2), [Ru(dppz)(2)(Mebpy-COOH)]Cl(2).9H(2)O (3), and [Ru(bpy)(dppz)(Mebpy-COOH)](PF(6))(2).5H(2)O (4) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, Mebpy-COOH = 4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4-carboxylic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dppz = dipyrido[3,2,-a;2',3-c]phenazine) have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and by microanalysis. The [Ru(Mebpy-COOH)(CO)(2)Cl(2)].H(2)O intermediate was prepared by reaction of the monocarboxylic acid ligand, Mebpy-COOH, with [Ru(CO)(2)Cl(2)](n), and the product was then reacted with either bpy, phen, or dppz in the presence of an excess of trimethylamine-N-oxide (Me(3)NO), as the decarbonylation agent, to generate 1, 2, and 3, respectively. For compound 4, [Ru(bpy)(CO)Cl(2)](2) was reacted with Mebpy-COOH to yield [Ru(bpy)(Mebpy-COOH)(CO)Cl](PF(6)).H(2)O as a mixture of two main geometric isomers. Chemical decarbonylation in the presence of dppz gave 4 also as a mixture of two isomers. Electrochemical and spectrophotometric studies indicated that complexes 1 and 2 were present as a mixture of protonated and deprotonated forms in acetonitrile solution because of water of solvation in the isolated solid products. The X-ray crystal structure determination on crystals of [Ru(bpy)2(MebpyCOO)][Ru(bpy)(2)(MebpyCOOH)](3)(PF(6))(7), 1a, and [Ru(phen)(2)(MebpyCOO)](ClO(4)).6H(2)O, 2a, obtained from solutions of 1 and 2, respectively, revealed that 1a consisted of a mixture of protonated and deprotonated forms of the complex in a 1:3 ratio and that 2a consisted of the deprotonated derivative of 2. A distorted octahedral geometry for the Ru(II) centers was found for both complexes. Upon excitation at 450 nm, MeCN solutions of the protonated complexes 1-4 were found to exhibit emission bands in the 635-655 nm range, whereas the corresponding emission maxima of their deprotonated forms were observed at lower wavelengths. Protonation/deprotonation effects were also observed in the luminescence and electrochemical behavior of complexes 1-4. Comprehensive electrochemical studies in acetonitrile show that the ruthenium centers on 1, 2, 3, and 4 are oxidized from Ru(II) to Ru(III) with reversible potentials at 917, 929, 1052, and 1005 mV vs Fc(0/+) (Fc = ferrocene), respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 also exhibit an irreversible oxidation process in acetonitrile, and all compounds undergo ligand-based reduction processes.     

Synthesis,structural, electrochemical,and spectroscopic studies of some (diimine)ruthenium nitrile complexes

The syntheses of cationic ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(Me₂-bpy)(PPh₃)₂RR?][PF₆]_x {Me₂-bpy = 4,4?-dimethyl-2,2?-bipyridine, (3) R = Cl, R? = N≡CMe, x = 1, (4) R = Cl, R? = N≡CPh, x = 1, (5) R = R? = N≡CMe, x = 2} and [Ru(Me₂-bpy)(κ²-dppf)RR?][PF₆]_x {dppf = 1,1?-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, (6) R = Cl, R? = N≡CMe, x = 1, (7) R = Cl, R? = N≡CPh, x = 1, (8) R = R? = N≡CMe, x = 2} are reported, together with their structural confirmation by NMR (³¹P, ¹H) and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and, in the case of trans-[Ru(Me₂-bpy)(PPh₃)₂(N≡CCH₃)Cl][PF₆] (3), by X-ray crystallography. Electronic absorption and emission spectra of the complexes reveal that all complexes except 4 and 6 are emissive in the range 370–400 nm with 8 exhibiting an emission in the blue. Cyclic voltammetry studies of 3–8 show reversible or quasi-reversible redox processes at ca. 1 V, assigned to the Ru(II/III) couple.     

Synthesis and characterisation of chelated (1-cyanoethyl)ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes

The reaction between acrylonitrile and the RuH bond in HRu(CO)Cl(PPh₃)₃ results in the formation of a binuclear ruthenium(II) complex having chlorine bridges which are easily broken by sodio-derivatives of bidentate chelating ligands giving mononuclear hexacoordinated ruthenium(II) compounds. The RuC bond in these new complexes has been found to be stable towards nucleophilic reagents. The stereochemistry for these complexes has been suggested on the basis of IR, ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectra.     

Antibacterial properties of ruthenium(II) benzamide complexes

Reactions of the new acyclic ligand DNBH with RuCl₃ · 3H₂O, followed by addition of a secondary ligand L (L = PPh₃, 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2-bipyridine, pyridine and 2,4-diaminotoluene), yield six binuclear metal complexes, TR1–TR6. Two different methods were employed: template and a two-step synthesis, both yielding the same complexes. DNBH and its metal complexes were characterised by a combination of spectroscopic, elemental and magnetic susceptibility data. Coordination was found to be through the carbonyl oxygen of amide and phenolic oxygen in the octahedral environment of the metal. DNBH and some of the metal complexes display antibacterial properties.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of ruthenium(II) complexes containing diamino-1,3,5-triazine derivatives

Three Ru(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(1-IQTNH)](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Ru(bpy)₂(2-QTNH)](ClO₄)₂ (2) and [Ru(bpy)₂(3-IQTNH)](ClO₄)₂ (3) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 1-IQTNH = 6-(isoquinolin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine- 2,4-diamine, 2-QTNH = 6-(quinolin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine- 2,4-diamine, 3-IQTNH = 6-(isoquinolin-3-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of the complexes differ from those of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ owing to the structural differences between the ligands and their complexes.     

Molecular and spectroscopic properties of chloride and thiocyanate hydridecarbonyl ruthenium(II) complexes with pyridine derivative ligands

[RuH(CO)(dpa)(PPh₃)₂]X and [RuHX(CO)(pyCHPh)(PPh₃)₂] (X = Cl, NCS) complexes (where dpa = 2,2′-dipyridylamine, pyCHPh = 4-(3-phenylpropyl)pyridine) have been prepared and studied using IR, NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopies and X-ray crystallography. The electronic structures and bonding of the obtained complexes were defined on the basis of the DFT method. The electronic spectra of the complexes were calculated and associated with the structure of the molecular orbitals of the complexes. The luminescence properties of the complexes were determined.     

Simultaneous control of spectroscopic and electrochemical properties in functionalised electrochemiluminescent tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes

Using a combination of electrochemical, spectroscopic and computational techniques, we have explored the fundamental properties of a series of ruthenium diimine complexes designed for coupling with other molecules or surfaces for electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing applications. With appropriate choice of ligand functionality, it is possible to manipulate emission wavelengths while keeping the redox ability of the complex relatively constant. DFT calculations show that in the case of electron withdrawing substituents such as ester or amide, the excited state is located on the substituted bipyridine ligand whereas in the case of alkyl functionality it is localised on a bipyridine. The factors that dictate annihilation ECL efficiency are interrelated. For example, the same factors that determine ΔG for the annihilation reaction (i.e. the relative energies of the HOMO and LUMO) have a corresponding effect on the energy of the excited state product. As a result, most of the complexes populate the excited state with an efficiency (Φ(ex)) of close to 80% despite the relatively wide range of emission maxima. The quantum yield of emission (Φ(p)) and the possibility of competing side reactions are found to be the main determinants of ECL intensity.     

Substituent and isomer effects on structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties of dirhodium(III,II) complexes containing four identical unsymmetrical bridging ligands

Substituent and isomer effects on the structural, spectroscopic, (UV-visible and ESR) and electrochemical properties of dirhodium(III,II) complexes containing four identical unsymmetrical bridging ligands are reported for seven related compounds of the type Rh(2)(L)(4)Cl where L = 2-(2-fluoroanilino)pyridinate (2-Fap), 2-(2,6-difluoroanilino)pyridinate (2,6-F(2)ap), 2-(2,4,6-trifluoroanilino)pyridinate (2,4,6-F(3)ap), or 2-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoroanilino)pyridinate (F(5)ap) anion. Rh(2)(2-Fap)(4)Cl exists only in a (4,0) isomeric conformation while Rh(2)(2,6-F(2)ap)(4)Cl, Rh(2)(2,4,6-F(3)ap)(4)Cl, and Rh(2)(F(5)ap)(4)Cl exist as both (4,0) and (3,1) isomers. It had earlier been demonstrated that Rh(2)(L)(4)Cl complexes can adopt different geometric conformations of the bridging ligands, but the current study provides the first example where two geometric isomers of Rh(2)(5+) complexes are obtained for one compound using the same synthetic procedure. The synthesis, structural, spectroscopic, and/or electrochemical properties of (3,1) Rh(2)(2,6-F(2)ap)(4)CN and (4,0) Rh(2)(2,4,6-F(3)ap)(4)(C triple bond C)(2)Si(CH(3))(3) are also reported and the data on these compounds is discussed in light of their parent complexes, (3,1) Rh(2)(2,6-F(2)ap)(4)Cl and (4,0) Rh(2)(2,4,6-F(3)ap)(4)Cl.     

Pyridine-2-olato chelated ruthenium(II) organometallics incorporating imine-phenol function: spectroscopic,structural, electrochemical,and theoretical studies

The heterogeneous phase reaction of excess sodium salt of 2-hydroxypyridine (OHpy) with [Ru(κ²C,O-RL)(PPh₃)₂(CO)Cl] (1) afforded complexes of the type [Ru(κ¹C-RL)(PPh₃)₂(CO)(Opy)] (2) in excellent yield [κ²C,O-RL is 4-methyl-6-((N-R-arylimino)methyl)phenolato-C²,O), κ¹C-RL is 4-methyl-6-((N-R-arylimino)methyl)phenol-C²) and R is H, Me, OMe, Cl]. The chelation of Opy is attended with the cleavage of Ru-O and Ru-Cl bonds and iminium-phenolato → imine-phenol prototropic shift. The 1→2 conversion is irreversible and the type 2 species are thermodynamically more stable than the acetate, nitrite, and nitrate complexes of 1. The spectral (UV-vis, IR, NMR) and electrochemical data of the complexes are reported. In dichloromethane solution the complexes display one quasi-reversible Ru^III/Ru^II cyclic voltammetric response with E_1/2 in the range 0.65–0.69 V versus Ag/AgCl. The crystal and molecular structures of [Ru(κ¹C-HL)(PPh₃)₂(CO)(Opy)]·2C₆H₆·0.5H₂O, 2(H)·2C₆H₆·0.5H₂O and [Ru(κ¹C-ClL)(PPh₃)₂(CO)(Opy)]·2C₆H₆·0.25H₂O, 2(Cl)·2C₆H₆·0.25H₂O are reported, which revealed a distorted octahedral RuC₂P₂NO coordination sphere. The pairs (P,P), (C,O), and (C,N) define the three trans directions. The electronic structures of the complexes are also scrutinized by density functional theory.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization and antibacterial sensitivity of some chloro dimethylsulfoxide/tetramethylenesulfoxide ruthenium(II) and ruthenium(III) complexes with 2-aminobenzothiazole

Synthesis and characterization of seven ruthenium(II) and ruthenium(III) complexes of sulfoxide with 2-aminobenzothiazole are reported. Three different formulations exist: [cis,cis,cis-RuCl₂(SO)₂(2-abtz)₂] and [trans,trans,trans-RuCl₂(SO)₂(2-abtz)₂] and [trans-RuCl₄(SO)(2-abtz)] ^? [X]⁺ (where SO?=?dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso) or tetramethylenesulfoxide (tmso); 2-abtz?=?2-aminobenzothiazole and [X]⁺?=?[H(abtz)]⁺, [Na⁺]. These complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility, FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and electronic spectroscopy. Some of the complexes were screened for their antibacterial activity and are found to be potent against the gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antitumor properties of ruthenium(II) anthraquinone complexes

Three new Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(dmb)₂(ipad)](ClO₄)₂ (dmb = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, ipad = 2-(anthracene-9,10-dione-2-yl) imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, 1), [Ru(dmp)₂(ipad)](ClO₄)₂ (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 2), and [Ru(dip)₂(ipad)](ClO₄)₂ (dip = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 3), have been synthesized and characterized. The three Ru(II) complexes intercalate with the base pairs of DNA. The in vitro antiproliferative activities and apoptosis-inducing characteristics of these complexes were investigated. The complexes exhibited cytotoxicity against various human cancer cell lines. BEL-7402 cells displayed the highest sensitivity to 1, accounted for by the greatest cellular uptake. Complex 1 was shown to accumulate preferentially in the nuclei of BEL-7402 cells and cause DNA damage and induce apoptosis, which involved cell cycle arrest and reactive oxygen species generation.     

Some spectroscopic aspects of electron transfer in ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes

The metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption and emission properties of several ruthenium(II)-bipyridine am(m)ine complexes are compared. The Gaussian deconvolution of the spectra indicates that: (a) the emission MLCT bandwidths are smaller than the absorption bandwidths for the first components of the apparent vibronic progressions; (b) the emission bands decrease in energy and width when a polypyridyl is replaced by an am(m)ine. The observations can be interpreted in terms of a two state model and the perturbation theory-based treatment of the attenuation of the effective reorganizational energy, λ_r =^~ λ_r ^o(1- 4α² _DA), where λ_r ^o is the reorganizational energy corresponding to no mixing between the two electron transfer states and α_DA = (H_DA/E_DA) is the mixing coefficient. Both the solvent and molecular contributions to λ_r are attenuated. The MLCT excited state lifetimes also decrease with am(m)ine substitution, and the non-radiative decay rate constant at 77 K is roughly proportional to the number of am(m)ine moieties coordinated to the ruthenium center.