Ruthenium half-sandwich complexes with tautomerized pyrazolyl-pyridazine ligands: Synthesis, spectroscopic and molecular structural studies

Condensation of 1,4-dichloropyridazine with pyrazole, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole and 3-methylpyrazole yielded two types of pyrazolyl-pyridazine ligands, viz., (i) products of substitution on one side of the pyridazine as 3-chloro-6-(pyrazolyl)pyridazine (Cl-L1), 3-chloro-6-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)pyridazine (Cl-L2) and 3-chloro-6-(3-methylpyrazolyl)pyridazine (Cl-L3), and (ii) products of substitution on both sides such as 3,6-bis(pyrazolyl)pyridazine (L1), 3,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)pyridazine (L2) and tautomers of 3,6-bis(3-methylpyrazolyl)pyridazine (L3). The reactions of η⁶-areneruthenium complexes in methanol with the above mentioned pyrazolyl-pyridazine ligands form mononuclear complexes of the type [(η⁶-arene)Ru(Cl-L)(Cl)]⁺ and [(η⁶-arene)Ru(L)(Cl)]⁺; (arene = benzene and p-cymene; Cl-L = Cl-L1, Cl-L2, Cl-L3; L = L1, L2, L3). All these complexes are characterized by IR, NMR, mass spectrometry and UV-vis spectroscopy. The structures of some representative complexes are established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Cationic arene ruthenium complexes containing chelating 1,10-phenanthroline ligands

The monocationic chloro complexes containing chelating 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands [(arene)Ru(N∩N)Cl]⁺ (1: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = phen; 2: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 3: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = phen; 4: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 5: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = phen; 6: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 7: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NH₂-phen) have been prepared and characterised as the chloride salts. Hydrolysis of these chloro complexes in aqueous solution gave, upon precipitation of silver chloride, the corresponding dicationic aqua complexes [(arene)Ru(N∩N)(OH₂)]²⁺ (8: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = phen; 9: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 10: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = phen; 11: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 12: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = phen; 13: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 14: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NH₂-phen), which have been isolated and characterised as the tetrafluoroborate salts. The catalytic potential of the aqua complexes 8-14 for transfer hydrogenation reactions in aqueous solution has been studied: complexes 12 and 14 catalyse the reaction of acetophenone with formic acid to give phenylethanol and carbon dioxide with turnover numbers around 200 (80 °C, 7 h). In the case of 12, it was possible to observe the postulated hydrido complex [(C₆Me₆)Ru(phen)H]⁺ (15) in the reaction with sodium borohydride; 15 has been characterised as the tetrafluoroborate salt, the isolated product [15]BF₄, however, being impure. The molecular structures of [(C₆Me₆)Ru(phen)Cl]⁺ (1) and [(C₆Me₆)Ru(phen)(OH₂)]²⁺ (12) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of [1]Cl and [12](BF₄)₂.     

Bimetallic ruthenium-tin chemistry: Synthesis and molecular structure of arene ruthenium complexes containing trichlorostannyl ligands

A series of neutral, anionic and cationic arene ruthenium complexes containing the trichlorostannyl ligand have been synthesised from SnCl₂ and the corresponding arene ruthenium dichloride dimers [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ₂-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene = C₆H₆, PrⁱC₆H₄Me). While the reaction with triphenylphosphine and stannous chloride only gives the neutral mono(trichlorostannyl) complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(PPh₃)(SnCl₃)Cl] (1) and [(η⁶-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)Ru(PPh₃)(SnCl₃)Cl] (2), the neutral di(trichlorostannyl) complex [(η⁶-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)Ru(NCPh)(SnCl₃)₂] (3) could be obtained for the para-cymene derivative with benzonitrile as additional ligand. By contrast, the analogous reaction with the benzene derivative leads to a salt composed of the cationic mono(trichlorostannyl) complex [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(NCPh)₂(SnCl₃)]⁺ (5) and of the anionic tris(trichlorostannyl) complex [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(SnCl₃)₃]⁻ (6). On the other hand, [(η⁶-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)Ru(μ₂-Cl)Cl]₂ reacts with SnCl₂ and hexamethylenetetramine hydrochloride or 18-crown-6 to give the anionic di(trichlorostannyl) complex [(η⁶-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)Ru(SnCl₃)₂Cl]⁻ (4), isolated as the hexamethylenetetrammonium salt or the chloro-tin 18-crown-6 salt. The single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of 1, 2, [(CH₂)₆N₄H][4], [(18-crown-6)SnCl][4] and [5][6] reveal for all complexes a pseudo-tetrahedral piano-stool geometry with ruthenium-tin bonds ranging from 2.56 (anionic complexes) to 2.60 Å (cationic complex).     

Synthesis and characterisation of new pyrazole-phosphinite ligands and their ruthenium(II) arene complexes

The new potentially bidentate pyrazole-phosphinite ligands [(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl diphenylphosphinite] (L¹) and [2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl diphenylphosphinite] (L²) were synthesised and characterised. The reaction of L¹ and L² with the dimeric complexes [Ru(η⁶-arene)Cl₂]₂ (arene = p-cymene, benzene) led to the formation of neutral complexes [Ru(η⁶-arene)Cl₂(L)] (L = L¹, L²) where the pyrazole-phosphinite ligand is κ¹-P coordinated to the metal. The subsequent reaction of these complexes with NaBPh₄ or NaBF₄ produced the [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl(L²)][BPh₄] and [Ru(η⁶-benzene)Cl(L²)][BF₄] compounds which contain the pyrazole-phosphinite ligand κ²-P,N bonded to ruthenium. All the complexes were fully characterised by analytical and spectroscopic methods. The structure of the complex [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl(L²)][BPh₄] was also determined by a X-ray single crystal diffraction study.     

Synthesis and characterisation of nonclassical ruthenium hydride complexes containing chelating bidentate and tridentate phosphine ligands

The synthesis and characterisation of nonclassical ruthenium hydride complexes containing bidentate PP and tridentate PCP and PNP pincer-type ligands are described. The mononuclear and dinuclear ruthenium complexes presented have been synthesised in moderate to high yields by the direct hydrogenation route (one-pot synthesis) or in a two-step procedure. In both cases [Ru(cod)(metallyl)(2)] served as a readily available precursor. The influences of the coordination geometry and the ligand framework on the structure, binding, and chemical properties of the M--H(2) fragments were studied by X-ray crystal structure analysis, spectroscopic methods, and reactivity towards N(2), D(2), and deuterated solvents.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes with ferrocene-modified arene ligands: synthesis and electrochemistry

A series of arene-ruthenium complexes of the general formula [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₂R}L] with R=OH, CH₂OH, OC(O)Fc, CH₂OC(O)Fc (Fc=ferrocenyl) and L=PPh₃, (diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, or bridging 1,1^′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, have been synthesized. Two synthetic pathways have been used for these ferrocene-modified arene-ruthenium complexes: (a) esterification of ferrocene carboxylic acid with 2-(cyclohexa-1,4-dienyl)ethanol, followed by condensation with RuCl₃ · nH₂O to afford [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₂OC(O)Fc}]₂, and (b) esterification between ferrocene carboxylic acid and [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₃OH}L] to give [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₃OC(O)Fc}L]. All new compounds have been characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as by mass spectrometry. The single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₃OH}(PPh₃)] shows that the presence of a CH₂CH₂CH₂OH side-arm allows [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₃OH}(PPh₃)] to form an intramolecular hydrogen bond with a chlorine atom. The electrochemical behavior of selected representative compounds has been studied. Complexes with ferrocenylated side arms display the expected cyclic voltammograms, two independent reversible one-electron waves of the Ru(II)/Ru(III) and Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couples. Introduction of a ferrocenylphosphine onto the ruthenium is reflected by an additonal reversible, one-electron wave due to ferrocene/ferrocenium system which is, however, coupled with the Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox system.     

Mono and dinuclear arene ruthenium complexes containing 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-di(pyridine-2-yl)quinoxaline as chelating ligand: Synthesis and molecular structure

The mononuclear cations of the general formula [(η⁶-arene)RuCl(dpqMe₂)]⁺ (dpqMe₂ = 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-di(pyridine-2-yl)quinoxaline; arene = C₆H₆, 1; C₆H₅Me, 2; p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me, 3; C₆Me₆, 4) as well as the dinuclear dications [(η⁶-arene)₂Ru₂Cl₂(μ-dpqMe₂)]²⁺ (arene = C₆H₆, 5; C₆H₅Me, 6; p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me, 7; C₆Me₆, 8) have been synthesised from 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-di(pyridine-2-yl)quinoxaline (dpqMe₂) and the corresponding chloro complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, respectively. The X-ray crystal structure analyses of [1][PF₆], [3][PF₆] and [6][PF₆]₂ reveal a typical piano-stool geometry around the metal centre; in the dinuclear complexes the two chloro ligands, with respect to each other, are found to be trans oriented.     

Edge-bridging and face-capping coordination of alkenyl ligands in triruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes derived from hydrazines: synthetic, structural, theoretical, and kinetic studies

The reactions of the triruthenium cluster complex [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-eta2-HNNMe2)(CO)9] (1; H2NNMe2=1,1-dimethylhydrazine) with alkynes (PhC triple bond CPh, HC triple bond CH, MeO2CC triple bond CCO2Me, PhC triple bond CH, MeO2CC triple bond CH, HOMe2CC triple bond CH, 2-pyC triple bond CH) give trinuclear complexes containing edge-bridging and/or face-capping alkenyl ligands. Whereas the edge-bridged products are closed triangular species (three Ru-Ru bonds), the face-capped products are open derivatives (two Ru-Ru bonds). For terminal alkynes, products containing gem (RCCH2) and/or trans (RHCCH) alkenyl ligands have been identified in both edge-bridging and face-capping positions, except for the complex [Ru3(mu3-eta2-HNNMe2)(mu3-eta3-HCCH-2-py)(mu-CO)(CO)7], which has the two alkenyl H atoms in a cis arrangement. Under comparable reaction conditions (1:1 molar ratio, THF at reflux, time required for the consumption of complex 1), some reactions give a single product, but most give mixtures of isomers (not all the possible ones), which were separated. To determine the effect of the hydrazido ligand, the reactions of [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-eta2-MeNNHMe)(CO)9] (2; HMeNNHMe=1,2-dimethylhydrazine) with PhC triple bond CPh, PhC triple bond CH, and HC triple bond CH were also studied. For edge-bridged alkenyl complexes, the Ru--Ru edge that is spanned by the alkenyl ligand depends on the position of the methyl groups on the hydrazido ligand. For face-capped alkenyl complexes, the relative orientation of the hydrazido and alkenyl ligands also depends on the position of the methyl groups on the hydrazido ligand. A kinetic analysis of the reaction of 1 with PhC[triple chemical bond]CPh revealed that the reaction follows an associative mechanism, which implies that incorporation of the alkyne in the cluster is rate-limiting and precedes the release of a CO ligand. X-ray diffraction, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and calculations of minimum-energy structures by DFT methods were used to characterize the products. A comparison of the absolute energies of isomeric compounds (obtained by DFT calculations) helped rationalize the experimental results.     

Mono and dinuclear rhodium, iridium and ruthenium complexes containing chelating 2,2′-bipyrimidine ligands: Synthesis, molecular structure, electrochemistry and catalytic properties

The mononuclear cations [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(bpym)]⁺ (1), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl(bpym)]⁺ (2), [(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl(bpym)]⁺ (3) and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl(bpym)]⁺ (4) as well as the dinuclear dications [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (5), [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (6), [{(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (7) and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (8) have been synthesised from 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpym) and the corresponding chloro complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl₂]₂, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl₂]₂, [(η⁶-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl₂]₂ and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl₂]₂, respectively. The X-ray crystal structure analyses of [3][PF₆], [5][PF₆]₂, [6][CF₃SO₃]₂ and [7][PF₆]₂ reveal a typical piano-stool geometry around the metal centres; in the dinuclear complexes the chloro ligands attached to the two metal centres are found to be, with respect to each other, cis oriented for 5 and 6 but trans for 7. The electrochemical behaviour of 1-8 has been studied by voltammetric methods. In addition, the catalytic potential of 1-8 for transfer hydrogenation reactions in aqueous solution has been evaluated: All complexes catalyse the reaction of acetophenone with formic acid to give phenylethanol and carbon dioxide. For both the mononuclear and dinuclear series the best results were obtained (50 °C, pH 4) with rhodium complexes, giving turnover frequencies of 10.5 h⁻¹ for 1 and 19 h⁻¹ for 5.     

Use of chelating ligands to tune the reactive site of half-sandwich ruthenium(II)-arene anticancer complexes

We show that the chelating ligand XY in Ru(II) anticancer complexes of the type [Ru(eta6-arene)(XY)Cl]n+ has a major influence on the rate and extent of aquation, the pKa of the aqua adduct, and the rate and selectivity of binding to nucleobases. Replacement of neutral ethylenediamine (en) by anionic acetylacetonate (acac) as the chelating ligand increases the rate and extent of hydrolysis, the pKa of the aqua complex (from 8.25 to 9.41 for arene=p-cymene), and changes the nucleobase specificity. For the complexes containing the hydrogen-bond donor en, there is exclusive binding to N7 of guanine in competitive nucleobase reactions, and in the absence of guanine, binding to cytosine or thymine but not to adenine. In contrast, when XY is the hydrogen-bond acceptor acac, the overall affinity for adenosine (N7 and N1 binding) is comparable to that for guanosine, but there is little binding to cytidine or thymidine.     

Syntheses and molecular structures of 18/16-electron half-sandwich iridium(III) complexes with chelating anilido-imine ligands

A 18-electron complex Cp^∗IrCl[o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p) (CHNC₆H₃-Me-p)] (Cp^∗ = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) (1a) was obtained by the reaction of the lithium salt of o-C₆H₄N (C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNHC₆H₃-Me-p) (L₁) with [Cp^∗IrCl(μ-Cl)]₂ in toluene. However, when bulkier ligands (L₂ = o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNHC₆H₃-i-Me₂-2,6), L₃ = o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p) (CHNHC₆H₃-i-Pr₂-2,6)) were employed in the same reaction, two 16-electron complexes {Cp^∗Ir[o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNC₆H₃-i-Me₂-2,6)]}⁺Cl⁻ (2b) and {Cp^∗Ir[o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNC₆H₃-i-Pr₂-2,6)]}⁺Cl⁻ (3b) were formed. A 16-electron complex {Cp^∗Ir [o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p) (CHNC₆H₃-Me-p)]}⁺SO₃ CF⁻₃ (1b) bearing L₁ could be achieved by the reaction of 1a with AgSO₃CF₃ in CH₃CN solution. The molecular structures of 1a and 2b were determined by X-ray crystallography. Theoretical calculations of all the 18/16-electron species were performed to study their bonding characters and electronic properties. Electron donating effect of Cp^∗ and steric effect of anilido-imine ligand were considered as major factors in the formation of coordinative unsaturated complexes 1b, 2b, 3b.     

Cationic half-sandwich complexes (Rh, Ir, Ru) containing 2-substituted-1,8-naphthyridine chelating ligands: Syntheses, X-ray structure analyses and spectroscopic studies

Reactions of the dinuclear complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene = C₆H₆, p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Rh, Ir) with 2-substituted-1,8-naphthyridine ligands, 2-(2-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (pyNp), 2-(2-thiazolyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (tzNp) and 2-(2-furyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (fuNp), lead to the formation of the mononuclear cationic complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (1); tzNp (2); fuNp (3)}, [(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (4); tzNp (5); fuNp (6)}, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (7); tzNp (8); fuNp (9)} and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (10); tzNp (11); fuNp (12)}. All these complexes are isolated as chloro or hexafluorophosphate salts and characterized by IR, NMR, mass spectrometry and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The molecular structures of [1]Cl, [2]PF₆, [4]PF₆, [5]PF₆ and [10]PF₆ have been established by single crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

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.     

Mono and dinuclear half-sandwich platinum group metal complexes bearing pyrazolyl-pyrimidine ligands: Syntheses and structural studies

Reactions of 0.5 eq. of the dinuclear complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene = η⁶-C₆H₆, η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me) and [(Cp∗)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Rh, Ir; Cp∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅) with 4,6-disubstituted pyrazolyl-pyrimidine ligands (L) viz. 4,6-bis(pyrazolyl)pyrimidine (L1), 4,6-bis(3-methyl-pyrazolyl)pyrimidine (L2), 4,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl)pyrimidine (L3) lead to the formation of the cationic mononuclear complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ (L = L1, 1; L2, 2; L3, 3), [(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ (L = L1, 4; L2, 5; L3, 6), [(Cp∗)Rh(L)Cl]⁺ (L = L1, 7; L2, 8; L3, 9) and [(Cp∗)Ir(L)Cl]⁺ (L = L1, 10; L2, 11; L3, 12), while reactions with 1.0 eq. of the dinuclear complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ and [(Cp∗)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ give rise to the dicationic dinuclear complexes [{(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl}₂(L)]²⁺ (L = L1, 13; L2, 14; L3, 15), [{(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)RuCl}₂(L)]²⁺ (L = L1, 16; L2, 17; L3, 18), [{(Cp∗)RhCl}₂(L)]²⁺ (L = L1, 19; L2, 20; L3, 21) and [{(Cp∗)IrCl}₂(L)]²⁺ (L = L1 22; L2, 23; L3 24). The molecular structures of [3]PF₆, [6]PF₆, [7]PF₆ and [18](PF₆)₂ have been established by single crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

Syntheses,characterization and catalytic activities of half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with naphthalene-based Schiff base ligands

Four ruthenium(II) p-cymene complexes with naphthalene-based Schiff base ligands [Ru(p-cymene)LCl] (2a–2d) have been synthesized and characterized. The half-sandwich ruthenium complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, elemental analyses, and infrared spectrometry. The molecular structures of 2a, 2b, and 2c were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, these half-sandwich ruthenium complexes are highly active catalysts for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes to anilines using NaBH₄ as the reducing agent in ethanol at room temperature.     

Ruthenium complexes with chelating carboxylate-NHC ligands as efficient catalysts for CH arylation in water

Ruthenium(ii) complexes with chelating N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were studied in the arylation of phenyl group in 2-phenylpyridine and 1-phenylpyrazole with aryl chlorides in water. Complexes with NHC-ligands containing a hemilabile coordinating N-carboxylatomethyl group enable fast and selective ortho-CH-diarylation in the absence of carboxylate-assisting additives.     

In vitro anticancer activity and biologically relevant metabolization of organometallic ruthenium complexes with carbohydrate-based ligands

The synthesis and in vitro anticancer activity of dihalogenido(eta6-p-cymene)(3,5,6-bicyclophosphite-alpha-D-glucofuranoside)ruthenium(II) complexes are described. The compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry, and the molecular structures of dichlorido-, dibromido- and diiodido(eta6-p-cymene)(3,5,6-bicyclophosphite-1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-glucofuranoside)ruthenium(II) were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The complexes were shown to undergo aquation of the first halido ligand in aqueous solution, followed by hydrolysis of a P--O bond of the phosphite ligand, and finally formation of dinuclear species. The hydrolysis mechanism was confirmed by DFT calculations. The aquation of the complexes was markedly suppressed in 100 mM NaCl solution, and notably only very slow hydrolysis of the P--O bond was observed. The complexes showed affinity towards albumin and transferrin and monoadduct formation with 9-ethylguanine. In vitro studies revealed that the 3,5,6-bicyclophosphite-1,2-O-cyclohexylidene-alpha-D-glucofuranoside complex is the most cytotoxic compound in human cancer cell lines (IC50 values from 30 to 300 microM depending on the cell line).     

Spectral, structural, and electrochemical properties of ruthenium porphyrin diaryl and aryl(alkoxycarbonyl) carbene complexes: influence of carbene substituents, porphyrin substituents, and trans-axial ligands

A wide variety of ruthenium porphyrin carbene complexes, including [Ru(tpfpp)(CR(1)R(2))] (CR(1)R(2) = C(p-C(6)H(4)Cl)(2) 1 b, C(p-C(6)H(4)Me)(2) 1 c, C(p-C(6)H(4)OMe)(2) 1 d, C(CO(2)Me)(2) 1 e, C(p-C(6)H(4)NO(2))CO(2)Me 1 f, C(p-C(6)H(4)OMe)CO(2)Me 1 g, C(CH==CHPh)CO(2)CH(2)(CH==CH)(2)CH(3) 1 h), [Ru(por)(CPh(2))] (por=tdcpp 2 a, 4-Br-tpp 2 b, 4-Cl-tpp 2 c, 4-F-tpp 2 d, tpp 2 e, ttp 2 f, 4-MeO-tpp 2 g, tmp 2 h, 3,4,5-MeO-tpp 2 i), [Ru(por)[C(Ph)CO(2)Et]] (por=tdcpp 2 j, tmp 2 k), [Ru(tpfpp)(CPh(2))(L)] (L = MeOH 3 a, EtSH 3 b, Et(2)S 3 c, MeIm 3 d, OPPh(3) 3 e, py 3 f), and [Ru(tpfpp)[C(Ph)CO(2)R](MeOH)] (R = CH(2)CH==CH(2) 4 a, Me 4 b, Et 4 c), were prepared from the reactions of [Ru(por)(CO)] with diazo compounds N(2)CR(1)R(2) in dichloromethane and, for 3 and 4, by further treatment with reagents L. A similar reaction of [Os(tpfpp)(CO)] with N(2)CPh(2) in dichloromethane followed by treatment with MeIm gave [Os(tpfpp)(CPh(2))(MeIm)] (3 d-Os). All these complexes were characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and UV/Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses. X-ray crystal structure determinations of 1 d, 2 a,i, 3 a, b, d, e, 4 a-c, and 3 d-Os revealed Ru==C distances of 1.806(3)-1.876(3) A and an Os==C distance of 1.902(3) A. The structure of 1 d in the solid state features a unique "bridging" carbene ligand, which results in the formation of a one-dimensional coordination polymer. Cyclic voltammograms of 1 a-c, g, 2 a-d, g-k, 3 b-d, 4 a, b, and 3 d-Os show a reversible oxidation couple with E(1/2) values in the range of 0.06-0.65 V (vs Cp(2)Fe(+/0)) that is attributable to a metal-centered oxidation. The influence of carbene substituents, porphyrin substituents, and trans-ligands on the Ru==C bond was examined through comparison of the chemical shifts of the pyrrolic protons in the porphyrin macrocycles ((1)H NMR) and the M==C carbon atoms ((13)C NMR), the potentials of the metal-centered oxidation couples, and the Ru==C distances among the various ruthenium porphyrin carbene complexes. A direct comparison among iron, ruthenium, and osmium porphyrin carbene complexes is made.     

Ruthenium and rhodium nitrosyl complexes containing dichalcogenoimidodiphosphinate ligands

Interaction of [Ru(NO)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(R₂PS)₂] in refluxing N,N-dimethylformamide afforded trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(R₂PS)₂}₂] (R = Ph (1), Prⁱ (2)). Reaction of [Ru(NO)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(Ph₂PSe)₂] led to formation of a mixture of trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(Ph₂PSe)₂}₂] (3) and trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(Ph₂PSe)₂}{Ph₂P(Se)NPPh₂}] (4). Reaction of Ru(NO)Cl₃ · xH₂O with K[N(Ph₂PO)₂] afforded cis-[Ru(NO)(Cl){N(Ph₂PO)₂}₂] (5). Treatment of [Rh(NO)Cl₂(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(R₂PQ)₂] gave Rh(NO){N(R₂PQ)₂}₂] (R = Ph, Q = S (6) or Se (7); R = Prⁱ, Q = S (8) or Se (9)). Protonation of 8 with HBF₄ led to formation of trans-[Rh(NO)Cl{HN(Prⁱ₂PS)₂}₂][BF₄]₂ (10). X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the nitrosyl ligands in 2 and 4 are linear, whereas that in 9 is bent with the Rh–N–O bond angle of 125.7(3)°.