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.     

Reactivity Studies of η5‐ Indenyl and η5‐Cp* Ruthenium(II) Complexes towards some Polypyridyl Ligands

The reaction of [(η⁵‐L³)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl], where; L³ = C₉H₇ ( 1 ), C₅Me₅ (Cp*) ( 2 ) with acetonitrile in the presence of [NH₄][PF₆] yielded cationic complexes [(η⁵‐L³)Ru(PPh₃)₂(CH₃CN)][PF₆]; L³= C₉H₇ ([3]PF₆) and L³ = C₅Me₅ ([4]PF₆), respectively. Complexes [3]PF₆ and [4]PF₆ reacts with some polypyridyl ligands viz, 2,3‐bis (α‐pyridyl) pyrazine (bpp), 2,3‐bis (α‐pyridyl) quinoxaline (bpq) yielding the complexes of the formulation [(η⁵‐L³)Ru(PPh₃)(L²)]PF₆ where; L³ = C₉H₇, L² = bpp, ([5]PF₆), L³ = C₉H₇, L² = bpq, ([6]PF₆); L³ = C₅Me₅, L² = bpp, ([7]PF₆) and bpq, ([8]PF₆), respectively. However reaction of [(η⁵‐C₉H₇)Ru(PPh₃)₂(CH₃CN)][PF₆] ([3]PF₆) with the sterically demanding polypyridyl ligands, viz. 2,4,6‐tris(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (tptz) or tetra‐2‐pyridyl‐1,4‐pyrazine (tppz) leads to the formation of unexpected complexes [Ru(PPh₃)₂(L²)(CH₃CN)][PF₆]₂; L² = tppz ([9](PF₆)₂), tptz ([11](PF₆)₂) and [Ru(PPh₃)₂(L²)Cl][PF₆]; L² = tppz ([10]PF₆), tptz ([12]PF₆). The complexes were isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts. They have been characterized on the basis of micro analytical and spectroscopic data. The crystal structures of the representative complexes were established by X‐ray crystallography.     

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).     

Structural Chemistry of Chiral Complexes. NMR and X-ray studies on Rh1 compounds of (S)-1-[bis(p-methylphenyl)phosphino]-2-[(p-methoxybenzyl)amino]-3-methylbutane

The Rh¹(diolefin)complexes [Rh(nbd)( 2 )][PF₆] [Rh(1,5-cod)( 2 )][PF₆], and [Rh((Z)-α -acetamidocinnamic acid)( 2 )][PF₆] ( 2 = the chiral P,N-ligand (S)-1-[bis(p-methylphenyl)phospino]-2-[p-methoxybenzyl)amino]-3-methylbutane have been prepared and characterized. These complexes exit as a mixture of isomers arising from different five-membered-ring conformations and diastereoisomers due to both the prochiral nitrogen and olefin ligands. The three-dimensional solutions structures of these complexes have been studied with the specific aim of understanding how the chiral pocket is built. Aspects of the exchange dynamics and their possible relevance to homogeneous hydrogenation are discussed The solid-state structure for the nbd complex, [Rh(nbd)( 2 )][PF₆], as well as detailed one- and two-dimensional ³¹P-, ¹³C-, and ¹H-NMR results are presented.     

Synthesis and reactivity of naphthalene sandwich complexes of molybdenum. X-ray structure of [Mo(η6-naphthalene) {P(OMe)3}3] and [Mo(H)(η6-naphthalene){P(OMe)3}3][BF4]

The sandwich complexes bis(η⁶-naphthalene)molybdenum(0) ( 1 ), bis(η⁶-1-methylnaphthalene)molybdenum(0) ( 2 ), and bis(η⁶-1,4-dimethylnaphthalene)molybdenum(0) ( 3 ) are synthesized by cocondensation of Mo-atoms with the naphthalene ligands. Complexes 1–3 are also obtained by reduction of MoCl₅ or MoCl₄. 2THF with highly activated Mg in the presence of the naphthalene ligands. Mg was activated by sublimation of the metal in a simple rotating solution reactor. Complex 2 exists as a mixture of regio- and stereoisomers. Three regioisomers, 3a–c , are formed in reactions of Mo-atoms with 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, whereas 3a , the isomer with the Mo-atom coordinated to the unsubstituted rings, is formed selectively via the reductive method. The ligands in 1–3 are highly labile. CO displaces both naphthalene rings in 2 and 3 to give [Mo(CO)₆], while PF₃, P(OMe)₃, and PMe₃ displace only one coordinated naphthalene in 1 to yield the [Mo(η⁶-naphthalene)L₃] complexes 4–6 . In toluene, arene exchange is a competitive process in reactions of 1 with PF₃. Complexes 5 (L = P(OMe)₃) and 6 (L = PMe₃) react with HBF₄ to give the cationic metal hydride complexes 8 and 9 . The X-ray crystal structures of [Mo(η⁶-naphthalene) {P(OMe)₃}₃] ( 5 ) and [Mo(H)(η⁶-naphthalene) {P(OMe)₃}₃][BF₄] ( 8 ) are reported.     

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.     

Synthesis and structures of metallocene complexes of iron(II) and ruthenium(II) derived from 9,9′-spirobifluorene

Reaction between 9,9′-spirobifluorene and [CpM]⁺ (where M = Fe and Ru) equivalents gives the complexes [CpRu(η⁶-SBF)][PF₆] (1), [(CpRu)₂(η⁶,η⁶-SBF)][PF₆]₂ (2) and [(CpFe)₂(η⁶,η⁶-SBF)][PF₆]₂ (3), respectively. Single crystal X-ray structures of 1 and 3 show that the metal atoms exhibit distorted η⁶-coordination to SBF phenyl moieties primarily as a consequence of steric interactions between Cp and SBF. The structure of 3 contains each of the possible C₂ enantiomers whereas NMR spectroscopy shows signals consistent with a 1:1 mixture of C₂ and C₁ stereoisomers for both 2 and 3. In conjunction with electrochemical data the observations are consistent with SBF acting as a molecule containing two independent biphenyl moieties.     

Desymmetrizing Heteroleptic [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] Compounds: Effects on Structural and Photophysical Properties,and Solution Dynamic Behavior

The preparation, characterization and electrochemical and photophysical properties of a series of desymmetrized heteroleptic [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF₆] compounds are reported. The complexes incorporate the chelating P^P ligands bis(2-(diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl)ether (POP) and (9,9-dimethyl-9H-xanthene-4,5-diyl)bis(diphenylphosphane) (xantphos), and 6-substituted 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) derivatives with functional groups attached by –(CH₂)_n– spacers: 6-(2,2′-bipyridin-6-yl)hexanoic acid (1), 6-(5-phenylpentyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (2) and 6-[2-(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3,triazol-1-yl)ethyl]-2,2′-bipyridine (3). [Cu(POP)(1)][PF₆], [Cu(xantphos)(1)][PF₆], [Cu(POP)(2)][PF₆], [Cu(xantphos)(2)][PF₆], and [Cu(xantphos)(3)][PF₆] have been characterized in solution using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the single crystal structure of [Cu(xantphos)(3)][PF₆]^.0.5Et₂O was determined. The conformation of the 6-[2-(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3,triazol-1-yl)ethyl]-substituent in the [Cu(xantphos)(3)]⁺ cation is such that the α- and β-CH₂ units reside in the xanthene ‘bowl’ of the xantphos ligand. The 6-substituent desymmetrizes the structure of the [Cu(P^P)(N^N)]⁺ cation and this has consequences for the interpretation of the solution NMR spectra of the five complexes. The NOESY spectra and EXSY cross-peaks provide insight into the dynamic processes operating in the different compounds. For powdered samples, emission maxima are in the range 542–555 nm and photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) lie in the range 13–28%, and a comparison of PLQYs and decay lifetimes with those of [Cu(xantphos)(6-Mebpy)][PF₆] indicate that the introduction of the 6-substituent is not detrimental in terms of the photophysical properties.     

Simple Synthesis of Ruthenium π Complexes of Aromatic Amino Acids and Small Peptides

The interaction of [Ru(η⁶‐C₁₀H₈)(Cp)]⁺ (Cp=C₅H₅) with aromatic amino acids (L ‐phenylalanine, L ‐tyrosine, L ‐tryptophane, D ‐phenylglycine, and L ‐threo‐3‐phenylserine) under visible‐light irradiation gives the corresponding [Ru(η⁶‐amino acid)(Cp)]⁺ complexes in near‐quantitative yield. The reaction proceeds in air at room temperature in water and tolerates the presence of non‐aromatic amino acids (except those which are sulfur containing), monosaccharides, and nucleotides. The complex [Ru(η⁶‐C₁₀H₈)(Cp)]⁺ was also used for selective labeling of Tyr and Phe residues of small peptides, namely, angiotensin I and II derivatives.     

Excited State Tuning of Bis(tridentate) Ruthenium(II) Polypyridine Chromophores by Push–Pull Effects and Bite Angle Optimization: A Comprehensive Experimental and Theoretical Study

The synergy of push–pull substitution and enlarged ligand bite angles has been used in functionalized heteroleptic bis(tridentate) polypyridine complexes of ruthenium(II) to shift the ¹MLCT absorption and the ³MLCT emission to lower energy, enhance the emission quantum yield, and to prolong the ³MLCT excited‐state lifetime. In these complexes, that is, [Ru(ddpd)(EtOOC‐tpy)][PF₆]₂, [Ru(ddpd‐NH₂)(EtOOC‐tpy)][PF₆]₂, [Ru(ddpd){(MeOOC)₃‐tpy}][PF₆]₂, and [Ru(ddpd‐NH₂){(EtOOC)₃‐tpy}][PF₆]₂ the combination of the electron‐accepting 2,2′;6′,2′′‐terpyridine (tpy) ligand equipped with one or three COOR substituents with the electron‐donating N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐dipyridin‐2‐ylpyridine‐2,6‐diamine (ddpd) ligand decorated with none or one NH₂ group enforces spatially separated and orthogonal frontier orbitals with a small HOMO–LUMO gap resulting in low‐energy ¹MLCT and ³MLCT states. The extended bite angle of the ddpd ligand increases the ligand field splitting and pushes the deactivating ³MC state to higher energy. The properties of the new isomerically pure mixed ligand complexes have been studied by using electrochemistry, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, static and time‐resolved luminescence spectroscopy, and transient absorption spectroscopy. The experimental data were rationalized by using density functional calculations on differently charged species (charge n=0–4) and on triplet excited states (³MLCT and ³MC) as well as by time‐dependent density functional calculations (excited singlet states).     

Luminescent Cyclometalated Alkynylplatinum(II) Complexes with a Tridentate Pyridine‐Based N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand: Synthesis,Characterization, Electrochemistry,Photophysics, and Computational Studies

A new class of luminescent alkynylplatinum(II) complexes with a tridentate pyridine‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene (2,6‐bis(1‐butylimidazol‐2‐ylidenyl)pyridine) ligand, [Pt^II(C^N^C)(C?CR)][PF₆], and their chloroplatinum(II) precursor complex, [Pt^II(C^N^C)Cl][PF₆], have been synthesized and characterized. One of the alkynylplatinum(II) complexes has also been structurally characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The electrochemistry, electronic absorption and luminescence properties of the complexes have been studied. Nanosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy has also been performed to probe the nature of the excited state. The origin of the absorption and emission properties has been supported by computational studies.     

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.     

Acetylene Dithiolate Linking up the [Tp′W(CO)(CN)] Moiety with RuII or PdII

A series of heterodinuclear complexes with acetylene dithiolate (acdt^2?) as the bridging moiety were synthesised by a facile one‐pot procedure that avoided use of the highly elusive acetylene dithiol. Generation of the W–Ru complex [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] (Tp’=hydrotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) and the W–Pd complexes [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)] and [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)][PF₆] (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphoshino)ethane), which exhibit a [W(η²‐κ²‐C₂S₂)M] core (M=Ru, Pd), was accomplished by using a transition‐metal‐assisted solvolytical removal of the Me₃Si‐ethyl thiol protecting groups. All intermediate species of the reaction have been fully characterised. The highly coloured W–Ru complex [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] shows reversible redox chemistry, as does the prototype complex [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)][PF₆]. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction and IR, EPR and UV/Vis spectroscopic studies in conjunction with DFT calculations prove the high electronic delocalisation of states over the acdt^2? linker. Comparative studies revealed a higher donor strength and more pronounced dithiolate character of acdt^2? in [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] relative to [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)]⁺. In addition, the influence of the overall complex charge on the metric parameters was investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies with the W–Pd complexes [Tp′WL₂(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)] (L=(CN^?)(CO) or (CO)₂). The central [W(C₂S₂)Pd] units exhibit high structural similarity, which indicates the extensive delocalisation of charge over both metals.     

Cytotoxic dimeric half-sandwich Ru(II), Os(II) and Ir(III) complexes containing the 4,4′-biphenyl-based bridging ligands

A series of dinuclear half-sandwich Ru(II), Os(II) and Ir(III) complexes [Ru₂(μ-Lⁿ)(η⁶-pcym)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂ ( 1 , 4 ), [Os₂(μ-Lⁿ)(η⁶-pcym)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂ ( 2 , 5 ) and [Ir₂(μ-Lⁿ)(η⁵-Cp*)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂ ( 3 , 6 ), based on 4,4′-biphenyl-based bridging Schiff base ligands N,N′-(biphenyl-4,4′-diyldimethylidyne)bis-2-(pyridin-2-yl)methanamine (L¹; for 1 – 3 ) and N,N′-(biphenyl-4,4′-diyldimethylidyne)bis-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (L²; for 4 – 6 ) is reported; pcym = 1-methyl-4-(propan-2-yl)benzene, Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl. The complexes were characterized by relevant analytical techniques (i.e. elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR, ESI-MS), and their in vitro cytotoxicity was assessed at six cancerous and two non-cancerous (healthy) human cell lines. Overall, complexes 4 – 6 , containing the L² bridging ligand, revealed higher cytotoxicity as compared with 1 – 3 and, thus, they were studied in greater detail. The best-performing complex 6 exceeded at least twice the in vitro cytotoxicity of cisplatin and showed high selectivity towards the cancer cells over the normal ones, including the primary culture of human hepatocytes. In contrast to cisplatin, complexes 4 – 6 did not induce the cell cycle modification of the treated A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells (studied by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis). High levels of superoxide anion were induced by complexes 4 – 6 at the A2780 cells. The levels of activated forms of Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 at the A2780 cells treated by Ru(II) complex 4 were comparable with cisplatin, while complexes 5 and 6 had only a minor effect on activation of these caspases.     

Heterodinuclear Ruthenium(II) Complexes of the Bridging Ligand 1,6,7,12‐Tetraazaperylene with Iron(II), Cobalt(II), Nickel(II), as well as Palladium(II) and Platinum(II)

The first heterodinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes of the 1,6,7,12‐tetraazaperylene (tape) bridging ligand with iron(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) were synthesized and characterized. The metal coordination sphere in this complexes is filled by the tetradentate N,N′‐dimethyl‐2,11‐diaza[3.3](2,6)‐pyridinophane (L‐N₄Me₂) ligand, yielding complexes of the general formula [(L‐N₄Me₂)Ru(µ‐tape)M(L‐N₄Me₂)](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂ with M = Fe {[ 2 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}, Co {[ 3 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}, and Ni {[ 4 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}. Furthermore, the heterodinuclear tape ruthenium(II) complexes with palladium(II)‐ and platinum(II)‐dichloride [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐tape)PdCl₂](PF₆)₂ {[ 5 ](PF₆)₂} and [(dmbpy)₂Ru(μ‐tape)PtCl₂](PF₆)₂ {[ 6 ](PF₆)₂}, respectively were also prepared. The molecular structures of the complex cations [ 2 ]⁴⁺ and [ 4 ]⁴⁺ were discussed on the basis of the X‐ray structures of [ 2 ](ClO₄)₄ · MeCN and [ 4 ](ClO₄)₄ · MeCN. The electrochemical behavior and the UV/Vis absorption spectra of the heterodinuclear tape ruthenium(II) complexes were explored and compared with the data of the analogous mono‐ and homodinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes of the tape bridging ligand.     

Synthesis,Structure, and 2D-NMR Studies of Novel Chiral (η3-Allyl)palladium(II) Complexes Containing the Bidentate Ligand Sparteine

Novel cationic allylpalladium (II) comp, exes containing the alkaloid (?)sparteine ( 1 ) as a bidentate ligand have been prepared. Two of them, [η³(cyclohex-2-enyl)] (sparteine)palladium(II) hexafluorophosphate([Pd(η³-C₆ H₉)(sparteine)][PF₆] 3b ) and (sparteine)[η³-(1,1,3-triphenylallyl)] palladium (II) trifluorophosphate ([Pd(η³-Ph₂CCHCHPh)(sparteine)][sparteine)] [CF³SO₃]; ( 3c ) were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The application of 2D-NMR methods (COSY and NOESY)affords a correlation between the solid-state and solution structures for complex 3c .     

Reactions of [Cp*Ru(H2O)(NBD)]+ with alkynes

Formal [2 + 2 + 2] addition reactions of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)]BF₄ (NBD = norbornadiene) with PhC?CR (R = H, COOEt) give [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C₉H₈R)] BF₄ (1a, R = H; 2a, R = COOEt). Treatment of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)]BF₄ with PhC?C? C?CPh does not give [2 + 2 + 2] addition product, but [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C?C? C?CPh)] BF₄(3a). Treatment of 1a, 2a, 3a with NaBPh₄ affords [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C₉H₈R)] BPh₄ (1b, R = H; 2b, R = COOEt) and [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C?C? C?CPh)] BPh₄(3b). The structures of 1b, 2b and 3b were determined by X‐ray crystallography. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ruthenium(II) ligated to tetradentate diaminodithioethers: synthesis,characterisation and electrochemistry

Ruthenium(II) complexes containing two tetradentate ligands, 1,2-bis(o-aminophenylthio)ethane (L¹) and 1,2-(oaminophenylthio)xylene (L²), have been prepared. The complexes, which are of the type Ru(L)Cl₂ [L = L¹ (1);/L² (2)], [Ru(L)(PPh₃)Cl]Cl [L = L¹ (3); L² (4)] and [Ru(L)(bpy)](PF₆)₂ [L = L¹ (5);/L² (6)], were characterised by elemental analysis, i.r., u.v.-vis. and n.m.r. spectroscopy and their electrochemical behaviour has been examined by cyclic voltammetry using a glassy carbon working electrode and an Ag/AgCl electrode as the reference electrode. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ru(II)‐based antineoplastic: A “wingtip” N‐heterocyclic carbene facilitates access to a new class of organometallics that are cytotoxic to common cancer cell lines

The syntheses, structures, and chemotherapeutic activities of Ag(I)‐, Au(I)‐, and Ru(II)‐complexes ligated to a novel N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand, 2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐2‐ylidene ( 1 ), are described. The corresponding complexes, [Ag( 1 )₂][PF₆], [Au( 1 )₂][PF₆] ( 3 ), and [Ru( 1 )(p‐cymene)Cl][PF₆] ( 4 ), were prepared using convenient transmetallation chemistry and characterized using a range of spectroscopic and analytical techniques. X‐ray crystallography revealed that complexes 2 and 3 adopted linear structures whereas 4 exhibited a prototypical “piano‐stool”‐like geometry; the structural assignments were further supported by DFT calculations. A series of in vitro studies revealed that while the aforementioned Ag(I), Au(I) and Ru(II) complexes exhibited significant cytotoxicities against the human colon adenocarcinoma (HCT 116), lung cancer (A549), and breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines, the Ru derivative was most prominent.     

Synthesis of Imines via Reactions of Benzyl Alcohol with Amines Using Half‐Sandwich (η6‐p‐cymene) Ruthenium(II) Complexes Stabilised by 2‐aminofluorene Derivatives

A new class of half‐sandwich (η⁶‐p‐cymene) ruthenium(II) complexes supported by 2‐aminofluorene derivatives [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)(Cl)(L)] ( L  = 2‐(((9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)imino)methyl)phenol ( L ¹ ), 2‐(((9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)imino)methyl)‐3‐methoxyphenol ( L ² ), 1‐(((9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)imino)methyl)naphthalene‐2‐ol ( L ³ ) and N‐((1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)methylene)‐9H‐fluorene‐2‐amine ( L ⁴ )) were synthesized. All compounds were fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV–Vis, NMR) and also by mass spectrometry. The solid state molecular structures of the complexes [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)(Cl)(L²)], [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)(Cl)(L³)] and [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)(Cl)(L⁴)] revealed that the 2‐aminofluorene and p‐cymene moieties coordinate to ruthenium(II) in a three‐legged piano‐stool geometry. The synthesized complexes were used as catalysts for the dehydrogenative coupling of benzyl alcohol with a range of amines (aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic). The reactions were carried out under thermal heating, ultrasound and microwave assistance, using solvent or solvent free conditions, and the catalytic performance was optimized regarding the solvent, the type of base, the catalyst loading and the temperature. Moderately high to very high isolated yields were obtained using [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)(Cl)(L⁴)] at 1 mol%. In general, microwave irradiation produced better yields than the other two techniques irrespective of the nature of the substituents.