Regioselective Synthesis and Characterization of Multinuclear Convex‐Bound Ruthenium‐[n]Cycloparaphenylene (n=5 and 6) Complexes

Mono‐ and multinuclear complexes of ruthenium and [n]cycloparaphenylene (CPP, n=5 and 6) were synthesized in excellent yields through ligand exchange of the cationic complex [(Cp)Ru(CH₃CN)₃](PF₆) with CPP. In the multinuclear complexes, ruthenium selectively coordinated to alternate paraphenylene units to give bis‐ and tris‐coordinated Ru complexes for [5] and [6]CPPs, respectively. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis revealed the Ru was coordinated with η⁶‐hapticity on the convex surface of CPP.     

Amino acid complexes of ruthenium: synthesis, characterization and cyclic voltammetric studies

Reaction of α-amino acids (HL) with [Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂] in the presence of a base afforded a family of complexes of type [Ru(PPh₃)₂(L)₂]. These complexes are diamagnetic (low-spin d⁶, S=0) and show ligand-field transitions in the visible region. ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectra of the complexes indicate the presence of C₂ symmetry. Cyclic voltammetry on the [Ru(PPh₃)₂(L)₂] complexes show a reversible ruthenium(II)–ruthenium(III) oxidation in the range 0.30–0.42 V vs. SCE. An irreversible ruthenium(III)–ruthenium(IV) oxidation is also displayed by two complexes near 1.5 V vs. SCE.     

Spectrophotometric Determination of Ruthenium in Solutions of Nitroso and Sulfate Complexes Using Microwave Radiation

It has been shown that ruthenium can be determined in solutions of ammonium nitrosopentachlororuthenate (NH₄)₂[Ru(NO)Cl₅] with nitroso and aquachloro complexes present simultaneously by its reaction with 1,10-phenanthroline and in solutions of sulfate complexes using microwave radiation. It is found by molecular absorption and luminescence studies that the composition of the complex formed corresponds to ruthenium(II) tris-(1,10-phenanthrolinate) {[Ru(Phen)₃]²⁺}. The complexation time is decreased by several tens of times (down to 5 min) compared to conventional heating, and a 100% yield of the complex is achieved. In the presence of HCl, the conversion of nitroso species to aquachloro ruthenium complexes upon microwave irradiation is inefficient. It is found that, compared to [Ru₂OCl₁₀]^4–, [Ru(NO)Cl₅]^2– is more labile in the complexation reactions of ruthenium with 1,10-phenanthroline under microwave irradiation. Regardless of the concentration of H₂SO₄ (1.7–12 M) in the starting solutions, ruthenium sulfate complexes can be converted in a microwave field to more labile chloride complexes.     

Syntheses,characterization, and crystal structures of ruthenium(II)/(III) complexes with tridentate salicylaldiminato ligands

Treatment of [Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂] with one equivalent of tridentate Schiff base 2-[(2-dimethylamino-ethylimino)-methyl]-phenol (HL) in the presence of triethylamine afforded a ruthenium(III) complex [RuCl₃(κ²-N,N-NH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂)(PPh₃)] as a result of decomposition of HL. Interaction of HL and one equivalent of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃], [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂] or [Ru(tht)₄Cl₂] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) under different conditions led to isolation of the corresponding ruthenium(II) complexes [RuCl(κ³-N,N,O-L)(CO)(PPh₃)] (2), [RuCl(κ³-N,N,O-L)(CO)₂] (3), and a ruthenium(III) complex [RuCl₂(κ³-N,N,O-L)(tht)] (4), respectively. Molecular structures of 1·CH₂Cl₂, 2·CH₂Cl₂, 3 and 4 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Hydroboration of Alkynes with Zwitterionic Ruthenium–Borate Complexes: Novel Vinylborane Complexes

Building upon previous studies on the synthesis of bis(sigma)borate and agostic complexes of ruthenium, the chemistry of nido‐[(Cp*Ru)₂B₃H₉] ( 1 ) with other ligand systems was explored. In this regard, mild thermolysis of nido‐ 1 with 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (2‐mbzt), 2‐mercaptobenzoxazole (2‐mbzo) and 2‐mercaptobenzimidazole (2‐mbzi) ligands were performed which led to the isolation of bis(sigma)borate complexes [Cp*RuBH₃L] ( 2 a – c ) and β‐agostic complexes [Cp*RuBH₂L₂] ( 3 a – c ; 2 a , 3 a : L=C₇H₄NS₂; 2 b , 3 b : L=C₇H₄NSO; 2 c , 3 c : L=C₇H₅N₂S). Further, the chemistry of these novel complexes towards various diphosphine ligands was investigated. Room temperature treatment of 3 a with [PPh₂(CH₂)_nPPh₂] (n=1–3) yielded [Cp*Ru(PPh₂(CH₂)_nPPh₂)‐BH₂(L₂)] ( 4 a – c ; 4 a : n=1; 4 b : n=2; 4 c : n=3; L=C₇H₄NS₂). Mild thermolysis of 2 a with [PPh₂(CH₂)_nPPh₂] (n=1–3) led to the isolation of [Cp*Ru(PPh₂(CH₂)_nPPh₂)(L)] (L=C₇H₄NS₂ 5 a – c ; 5 a : n=1; 5 b : n=2; 5 c : n=3). Treatment of 4 a with terminal alkynes causes a hydroboration reaction to generate vinylborane complexes [Cp*Ru(R?C?CH₂)BH(L₂)] ( 6 and 7 ; 6 : R=Ph; 7 : R=COOCH₃; L=C₇H₄NS₂). Complexes 6 and 7 can also be viewed as η‐alkene complexes of ruthenium that feature a dative bond to the ruthenium centre from the vinylinic double bond. In addition, DFT computations were performed to shed light on the bonding and electronic structures of the new compounds.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes of NSO donor ligands in the form of ring-substituted 4-phenyl-thiosemicarbazones of salicylaldehyde and o-hydroxyacetophenone

This work describes the preparation and characterisation of ruthenium(II) complexes of several ONS donor ligands in the form of ring-substituted 4-phenylthiosemicarbazones of salicylaldehyde and o-hydroxyacetophenone. Reactions of these thiosemicarbazone ligands with [Ru(PPh₃)₃]Cl₂ in refluxing MeOH furnished ruthenium(II) complexes of general formula [Ru(PPh₃)₂(LH)Cl] where the ligands acted as monoanionic tridentate ONS donors attached to the ruthenium(II) acceptor centre through the deprotonated phenolic oxygen, thione sulphur and azomethine nitrogen.     

Preparation and Structural Characterization of [CpRu(1,10-phenanthroline)(CH3CN)][X] and Precursor Complexes (X=PF6, BArF,TRISPHAT-N)

Cationic [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CH₃CN)₃]⁺ complex, tris(acetonitrile)(cyclopentadienyl)ruthenium(II), gives rise to a very rich organometallic chemistry. Combined with diimine ligands, and 1,10-phenanthroline in particular, this system efficiently catalyzes diazo decomposition processes to generate metal-carbenes which undergo a series of original transformations in the presence of Lewis basic substrates. Herein, syntheses and characterizations of [CpRu(Phen)(L)] complexes with (large) lipophilic non-coordinating (PF₆⁻ and BAr_F⁻) and coordinating TRISPHAT-N⁻ anions are reported. Complex [CpRu(η⁶-naphthalene)][BAr_F] ( [1][BAr_F] ) is readily accessible, in high yield, by direct counterion exchange between [1][PF₆] and sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (NaBAr_F) salts. Ligand exchange of [1][BAr_F] in acetonitrile generated stable [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CH₃CN)₃][BAr_F] ( [2][BAr_F] ) complex in high yield. Then, the desired [CpRu(Phen)(CH₃CN)] ( [3] ) complexes were obtained from either the [1] or [2] complex in the presence of the 1,10-phenanthroline as ligand. For characterization and comparison purposes, the anionic hemilabile ligand TRISPHAT−N (TTN) was introduced on the ruthenium center, from the complex [3][PF₆] , to quantitatively generate the desired complex [CpRu(Phen)(TTN)] ( [4] ) by displacement of the remaining acetonitrile ligand and of the PF₆⁻ anion. Solid state structures of complexes [1][BAr_F] , [2][BAr_F] , [3][BAr_F] , [3][PF₆] and [4] were determined by X-ray diffraction studies and are discussed herein.     

Improved Synthesis of the [Ru(η6‐p‐cymene)Cl3] Anion: Facile Isolation under Mild Conditions

Reaction of [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Cl₂]₂ with two equivalents of [Ph₄P][Cl] in CH₂Cl₂ yields [Ph₄P][Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Cl₃], containing a trichlororuthenate(II) anion. In solution, an equilibrium between the product and [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Cl₂]₂ is observed, which in CDCl₃ is nearly completely shifted to the dimer, whereas in CD₂Cl₂ essentially a 1:1‐mixture of the two ruthenium species is present. Crystallization from CH₂Cl₂/pentane yielded two different crystals, which were identified by X‐ray analysis as [Ph₄P][Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Cl₃] and [Ph₄P][Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Cl₃]·CH₂Cl₂.     

Reactions of [Ru(CO)3Cl2]2 with aromatic nitrogen donor ligands in alcoholic media

The reactions of mono‐ and bidentate aromatic nitrogen‐containing ligands with [Ru(CO)₃Cl₂]₂ in alcohols have been studied. In alcoholic media the nitrogen ligands act as bases promoting acidic behaviour of alcohols and the formation of alkoxy carbonyls [Ru(N–N)(CO)₂Cl(COOR)] and [Ru(N)₂(CO)₂Cl(COOR)]. Other products are monomers of type [Ru(N)(CO)₃Cl₂], bridged complexes such as [Ru(CO)₃Cl₂]₂(N), and ion pairs of the type [Ru(CO)₃Cl₃]^? [Ru(N–N)(CO)₃Cl]⁺ (N–N = chelating aromatic nitrogen ligand, N = non‐chelating or bridging ligand). The reaction and the product distribution can be controlled by adjusting the reaction stoichiometry. The reactivity of the new ruthenium complexes was tested in 1‐hexene hydroformylation. The activity can be associated with the degree of stability of the complexes and the ruthenium–ligand interaction. Chelating or bridging nitrogen ligands suppresses the activity strongly compared with the bare ruthenium carbonyl chloride, while the decrease in activity is less pronounced with monodentate ligands. A plausible catalytic cycle is proposed and discussed in terms of ligand–ruthenium interactions. The reactivity of the ligands as well as the catalytic cycle was studied in detail using the computational DFT methods. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Syntheses and Structures of trans-bis(Alkenylacetylide) Ruthenium Complexes

A series of ruthenium alkenylacetylide complexes trans-[Ru{C≡CC(=CH₂)R}Cl(dppe)₂] (R=Ph ( 1 a ), ^cC₄H₃S ( 1 b ), 4-MeS-C₆H₄ ( 1 c ), 3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]thiophene (DMBT) ( 1 d )) or trans-[Ru{C≡C-^cC₆H₉}Cl(dppe)₂] ( 1 e ) were allowed to react with the corresponding propargylic alcohol HC≡CC(Me)R(OH) (R=Ph ( A ), ^cC₄H₃S ( B ), 4-MeS-C₆H₄ ( C ), DMBT ( D ) or HC≡C-^cC₆H₁₀(OH) ( E ) in the presence of TlBF₄ and DBU to presumably give alkenylacetylide/allenylidene intermediates trans-[Ru{C≡CC(=CH₂)R}{C=C=C(Me)}(dppe)₂]PF₆ ([ 2 ]PF₆). These complexes were not isolated but deprotonated to give the isolable bis(alkenylacetylide) complexes trans-[Ru{C≡CC(=CH₂)R}₂(dppe)₂] (R=Ph ( 3 a ), ^cC₄H₃S ( 3 b ), 4-MeS-C₆H₄ ( 3 c ), DMBT ( 3 d )) and trans-[Ru{C≡C-^cC₆H₉}₂(dppe)₂] ( 3 e ). Analogous reactions of trans-[Ru(CH₃)₂(dmpe)₂], featuring the more electron-donating 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe) ancillary ligands, with the propargylic alcohols A or C and NH₄PF₆ in methanol allowed isolation of the intermediate mixed alkenylacetylide/allenylidene complexes trans-[Ru{C≡CC(=CH₂)R}{C=C=C(Me)}(dmpe)₂]PF₆ (R=Ph ([ 4 a ]PF₆), 4-MeS-C₆H₄ ([ 4 c ]PF₆). Deprotonation of [ 4 a ]PF₆ or [ 4 c ]PF₆ gave the symmetric bis(alkenylacetylide) complexes trans-[Ru{C≡CC(=CH₂)R}₂(dmpe)₂] (R=Ph ( 5 a ), 4-MeS-C₆H₄ ( 5 c )), the first of their kind containing the dmpe ancillary ligand sphere. Attempts to isolate bis(allenylidene) complexes [Ru{C=C=C(Me)R}₂(PP)₂]²⁺ (PP=dppe, dmpe) from treatment of the bis(alkenylacetylide) species 3 or 5 with HBF₄ ⋅ Et₂O were ultimately unsuccessful.     

Two‐Photon Chemistry in Ruthenium 2,2′‐Bipyridyl‐Functionalized Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes are widely used as light harvesters in dye‐sensitized solar cells. Since one of the potential applications of single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and their derived materials is their use as active components in organic and hybrid solar cells, the study of the photochemistry of SWCNTs with tethered ruthenium polypyridyl complexes is important. A water‐soluble ruthenium tris(bipyridyl) complex linked through peptidic bonds to SWCNTs (Ru‐SWCNTs) was prepared by radical addition of thiol‐terminated SWCNT to a terminal C?C double bond of a bipyridyl ligand of the ruthenium tris(bipyridyl) complex. The resulting macromolecular Ru‐SWCNT (≈500 nm, 15.6 % ruthenium complex content) was water‐soluble and was characterized by using TEM, thermogravimetric analysis, chemical analysis, and optical spectroscopy. The emission of Ru‐SWCNT is 1.6 times weaker than that of a mixture of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and SWCNT of similar concentration. Time‐resolved absorption optical spectroscopy allows the detection of the [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺‐excited triplet and [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺. The laser flash studies reveal that Ru‐SWCNT exhibits an unprecedented two‐photon process that is enabled by the semiconducting properties of the SWCNT. Thus, the effect of the excitation wavelength and laser power on the transient spectra indicate that upon excitation of two [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ complexes of Ru‐SWCNT, a disproportionation process occurs leading to delayed formation of [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺ and the performance of the SWCNT as a semiconductor. This two‐photon delayed [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺ generation is not observed in the photolysis of [Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺; SWCNT acts as an electron wire or electron relay in the disproportionation of two [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ triplets in a process that illustrates that the SWCNT plays a key role in the process. We propose a mechanism for this two‐photon disproportionation compatible with i) the need for high laser flux, ii) the long lifetime of the [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ triplets, iii) the semiconducting properties of the SWNT, and iv) the energy of the HOMO/LUMO levels involved.     

Regulation of electron donating ability to metal center: isolation and characterization of ruthenium carbonyl complexes with N,N- and/or N,O-donor polypyridyl ligands

Polypyridyl ruthenium(II) dicarbonyl complexes with an N,O- and/or N,N-donor ligand, [Ru(pic)(CO)₂Cl₂]⁻ (1), [Ru(bpy)(pic)(CO)₂]⁺ (2), [Ru(pic)₂(CO)₂] (3), and [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)₂]²⁺ (4) (pic=2-pyridylcarboxylato, bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) were prepared for comparison of the electron donor ability of these ligands to the ruthenium center. A carbonyl group of [Ru(L1)(L2)(CO)₂]ⁿ (L1, L2=bpy, pic) successively reacted with one and two equivalents of OH⁻ to form [Ru(L1)(L2)(CO)(C(O)OH)]ⁿ⁻¹ and [Ru(L1)(L2)(CO)(CO₂)]ⁿ⁻². These three complexes exist as equilbrium mixtures in aqueous solutions and the equilibrium constants were determined potentiometrically. Electrochemical reduction of 2 in CO₂-saturated CH₃CN–H₂O at −1.5 V selectively produced CO.     

New media in homogeneous catalysis: wet sodium or tetrabutylammonium hydrogensulfate salts for reppe syntheses catalyzed by a ru(ii) carbonyl complex

The ruthenium(II) complex fac-[Ru(CO)₂(H₂O)₃(C(O)C₂H₅)][CF₃SO₃] dissolved in aqueous tetrabutylammonium hydrogensulfate ([(CH₃(CH₂)₃)₄N][HSO₄]) or sodium hydrogensulfate (NaHSO₄) catalyzes the hydrocarboxylation of ethylene to propionic acid and additionally produces minor amounts of hydrocarbonylation products (diethyl ketone and propanal), under water-gas shift reaction conditions. This system is stable with a selectivity of 90% to propionic acid for high ethylene conversion. A turnover frequency of propionic acid, TOF(C₂H₅CO₂H)/24?h?=?5?×?10³ (TOF (C₂H₅CO₂H)?=?([(moles of C₂H₅CO₂H)/(moles of Ru)?×?rt)]?×?24?h) was achieved for Ru?=?7.45?×?10^?4?mol, [(CH₃(CH₂)₃)₄N][HSO₄]?=?80?g (2.36?×?10^?2?mol); H₂O?=?40?g (2.22?mol); CO?=?C₂H₄?=?20?g (total pressure?=?88?atm); T?=?150°C by a reaction time (rt) of 2.87?h. The countercation (sodium or tetrabutylammonium), the ruthenium concentration and the hydrogensulfate/H₂O ratio of the medium affect the catalytic reaction. A nonlinear dependence on total ruthenium concentration was shown. The data are discussed in terms of a potential catalytic cycle. Formation of propionic acid comes from hydrolysis, and formation of diethyl ketone and propanal comes from hydrogenolysis of the Ru-ketyl and Ru-acyl complexes, respectively.     

Spectral Properties of Ruthenium(II) Mixed-Ligands Complexes with 2,2'-Bipyridyl and Phosphines

Spectral-kinetic luminescence characteristics of the complexes cis-[Ru(bpy)(dppe)X2], cis- [Ru(bpy)2(PPh₃)X](BF₄) and cis-[Ru(bpy)₂X₂] [bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl, dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, PPh₃ is triphenylphosphine, X = NO₂ ^- and CN^-] in the ethanol-methanol 4:1 mixtures and adsorbed on the oxide SiO₂ or porous polyacrylonitrile polymer surface were studied. Luminescence and luminescence exitation spectra were registered at 77 and 293 K in 230-750 nm range and the luminescence decay time was measured. Introduction of phosphine ligands to the ruthenium(II) bipyridyl complexes inner sphere leads to rise in singlet and triplet state energy at the charge transfer from Ru(II) to 2,2'-bipyridyl in the series [Ru(bpy)₂X₂] < Ru(bpy)₂(PPh₃)X](BF₄) < [Ru(bpy)(dppe)X₂]. The complex adsorption on SiO₂ or polyacrylonitrile surface affects noticeably the luminescence spectro-kinetic characteristics.     

Catalytic Water Oxidation by Ruthenium(II) Quaterpyridine (qpy) Complexes: Evidence for Ruthenium(III) qpy‐N,N′′′‐dioxide as the Real Catalysts

Polypyridyl and related ligands have been widely used for the development of water oxidation catalysts. Supposedly these ligands are oxidation‐resistant and can stabilize high‐oxidation‐state intermediates. In this work a series of ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(qpy)(L)₂]²⁺ (qpy=2,2′:6′,2′′:6′′,2′′′‐quaterpyridine; L=substituted pyridine) have been synthesized and found to catalyze Ce^IV‐driven water oxidation, with turnover numbers of up to 2100. However, these ruthenium complexes are found to function only as precatalysts; first, they have to be oxidized to the qpy‐N,N′′′‐dioxide (ONNO) complexes [Ru(ONNO)(L)₂]³⁺ which are the real catalysts for water oxidation.     

Copolymerization behavior of titanium imidazolin‐2‐iminato complexes

Monocyclopentadienyl titanium imidazolin‐2‐iminato complexes [Cp′Ti(L)X₂] 1a (Cp′ = cyclopentadienyl, L = 1,3‐di‐tert‐butylimidazolin‐2‐imide, X = Cl), 1b (X = CH₃); 2 (Cp′ = cyclopentadienyl, L = 1,3‐diisopropylimidazolin‐2‐imide, X = Cl); 3 (Cp′ = tert‐butylcyclopentadienyl, L = 1,3‐di‐tert‐butylimidazolin‐2‐imide, X = Cl), upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO) were active for the polymerization of ethylene and propylene and the copolymerization of ethylene and 1‐hexene. Catalysts derived from imidazolin‐2‐iminato tropidinyl titanium complex 4 = [(Trop)Ti(L)Cl₂] (Trop = tropidinyl, L = 1,3‐di‐tert‐butylimidazolin‐2‐imide) were much less active. Narrow polydispersities were observed for ethylene and propylene polymerization, but the copolymerization of ethylene/hexene led to bimodal molecular weight distributions. The productivity of catalysts derived from the dialkyl complex 1b activated with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] or B(C₆F₅)₃ were less active for ethylene/hexene copolymerization but yielded ethylene/hexene copolymers of narrower molecular weight distributions than those derived from 1a/MAO. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6064–6070, 2008     

Selenoquinones Stabilized by Ruthenium(II) Arene Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, and Cytotoxicity

A new series of monoselenoquinone and diselenoquinone π complexes, [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁴‐C₆R₄SeE)] (R=H, E=Se ( 6 ); R=CH₃, E=Se ( 7 ); R=H, E=O ( 8 )), as well as selenolate π complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁵‐C₆H₃R₂Se)][SbF₆] (R=H ( 9 ); R=CH₃ ( 10 )), stabilized by arene ruthenium moieties were prepared in good yields through nucleophilic substitution reactions from dichlorinated‐arene and hydroxymonochlorinated‐arene ruthenium complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(C₆R₄XCl)][SbF₆]₂ (R=H, X=Cl ( 1 ); R=CH₃, X=Cl ( 2 ); R=H, X=OH ( 3 )) as well as the monochlorinated π complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁵‐C₆H₃R₂Cl)][SbF₆]₂ (R=H ( 4 ); R=CH₃ ( 5 )). The X‐ray crystallographic structures of two of the compounds, [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁴‐C₆Me₄Se₂)] ( 7 ) and [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁴‐C₆H₄SeO)] ( 8 ), were determined. The structures confirm the identity of the target compounds and ascertain the coordination mode of these unprecedented ruthenium π complexes of selenoquinones. Furthermore, these new compounds display relevant cytotoxic properties towards human ovarian cancer cells.     

Ru(III) complexes derived from N -methyl derivatives of glycine and 1,3-propylenediamine- N,N ′-diacetato ligands and their activities against HeLa,K562 cell lines and human PBMC

Ruthenium(III) complexes formulated as K₂[Ru(sar)Cl₄]·H₂O and K[Ru(dmgly)₂Cl₂]·3H₂O containing bidentate chelates N-methylglycine (sarcosine, sar) or N,N-dimethylglycine (dmgly) as well as K[Ru(pdda)Cl₂]·2.5H₂O complex with tetradentate 1,3-propylenediamine-N,N′-diacetato were synthesized. The complexes were obtained by direct reaction of ruthenium(III) chloride with the corresponding bidentate or tetradentate ligand followed by addition of a base (KOH). These new complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. To assess selectivity in the antitumor action of these complexes, their antiproliferative activities against human adenocarcinoma HeLa cells, human myelogenous leukemia K562 cells, human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-361 and MDA-MB-453 cells and normal immunocompetent PBM cells were determined.     

Preparation and photochemistry of macromolecular bound ruthenium(II) complexes in aqueous solutions

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes with macromolecular ligands poly(methylolacrylamide-co-vinylpyridine) and poly (acrylamide-co-vinylpyridine) have been synthesized. The macromolecular ruthenium (II) complexes which are soluble in water have been characterized and their absorption and emission properties have been studied in aqueous solution. Photolysis of the complex in aqueous solution leads to photoaquation reactions with release of coordinated pyridines of the polymer. In the case of monomeric complex, cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(py)₂]Cl₂, photolysis in water in presence of Cl^? ions produces only the substitution of the pyridine by water whereas in the polymeric complexes, [Ru(bpy)₂(MAAM-co-VP)₂]Cl₂ photolysis in the presence of chloride produces [Ru(bpy)₂(MAAM-co-VP)Cl]Cl and [Ru(bpy)₂(AM-co-VP)Cl]Cl, respectively. Quantum yields for the photosubstitution reactions have been determined and mechanistic details are outlined.     

Redox,spectroscopic, photo-induced ligand exchange,and DNA interaction studies of a new Ru(II)Pt(II) bimetallic complex

A new bimetallic complex, [Ru(biq)₂(dpp)PtCl₂](PF₆)₂ (where biq = 2,2′-biquinoline and dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine), containing a cis-PtCl₂ moiety coupled to a sterically strained Ru(II)-based chromophore was designed, synthesized, and investigated with respect to its spectroscopic, redox, photo-induced ligand exchange, and DNA-interaction properties. The electrochemistry of the designed complex was found to be consistent with the bridging coordination of the dpp ligand and formation of the bimetallic complex. The complex displays intense ligand-based π → π* transitions in the UV region and metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transitions (MLCT) in the visible region. The loss of bridging coordination of the dpp ligand and formation of complexes, [Ru(biq)₂(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ and [Pt(dpp)(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ was observed when an acetonitrile solution of the metal complex was irradiated with visible light (λ_irr ≥ 550 nm). The designed complex displays covalent binding with DNA in dark through the cis-PtCl₂ moiety, as confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Upon photoirradiation, the complex dissociates into two DNA-binding moieties and displays covalent binding through: (i) a cis-PtL₂ subunit of [Ptdpp(L)₂]²⁺ and (ii) open coordination sites of the ruthenium of [Ru(biq)₂(L)₂]²⁺ (L = solvent). The designed complex represents the first Ru(II)Pt(II) complex that undergoes photo-induced ligand exchange and displays multifunctional interactions with DNA upon photoirradiation.