Tuning the electronic and photophysical properties of platinum(II) complexes through ancillary ligand modification: a theoretical study

In this work, six Pt(II) complexes have been studied via density functional theory (DFT)/time-dependent DFT caculations to explore the influence of different ancillary ligand on electron structures, photophysical properties and radiative decay processes. Moreover, the self-consistent spin–orbit coupling TDDFT was used to calculate zero-field splitting, radiative rate and radiative lifetime to unveil the radiative deactivation processes for these complexes. The results indicated that [Pt(ppy)(ppz)] (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine and ppz = 5-(2-pyridyl)-pyrazole) has a higher radiative decay rate constant and a smaller nonradiative decayrate constant than that of [Pt(ppy)(acac)] (acac = acetylacetonate). Furthermore, complex 5, with dimesityboron added on the 3′-position of the pyrazole ring in [Pt(ppy)(ppz)], shows great potential to serve as an efficient blue-green light emitter in OLED.     

Enhanced DNA photocleavage properties of Ru(II) terpyridine complexes upon incorporation of methylphenyl substituted terpyridine and/or the polyazine bridging ligand dpp (2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine)

The heteroleptic complexes, [(MePhtpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆) and [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆), have been synthesized, characterized, and investigated with respect to their photophysical, redox, and DNA photocleavage properties (where MePhtpy = 4′-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine and dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine). The X-ray crystal structure confirms the identity of the new [(MePhtpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆) complex. These heteroleptic complexes were found to photocleave DNA in the presence of oxygen, unlike the previously studied complex, [Ru(tpy)₂](PF₆)₂. The photophysical, redox, and DNA photocleavage properties of the heteroleptic complexes were compared with those of the homoleptic complexes, [Ru(MePhtpy)₂](PF₆)₂ and [Ru(tpy)₂](PF₆)₂. The heteroleptic complexes showed intense metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition at lower energy ([(MePhtpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆), 522 nm; [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆), 516 nm) and longer excited state lifetimes as compared to the homoleptic complexes. The [Ru(MePhtpy)₂]²⁺ complex was found to photocleave DNA in contrast to [Ru(tpy)₂]²⁺. The introduction of a methylphenyl group on the tepyridine ligand not only enhances the ³MLCT excited state lifetime but also increases the lipophilicity and thereby the DNA binding ability of the molecule. An increase in lipophilicity upon addition of a methylphenyl group on the 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ligand was confirmed by determination of the partition coefficient ([(MePhtpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆), log P = +1.16; [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆), log P = −1.27). The heteroleptic complexes photocleave DNA more efficiently than the homoleptic complexes, with the greatest activity being observed for the newly prepared [(MePhtpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF₆) complex.     

Linkage isomerism of pentaammine(dimethylsulfoxide)ruthenium(II/III) complexes: A theoretical study

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed for understanding the linkage isomerism of [Ru^II/III(NH₃)₅(dmso)]^2+/3+ (dmso = dimethylsulfoxide) from a theoretical point of view. In particular, we focus on the interchange between O-bonded and S-bonded structures of the dmso ligand by oxidation/reduction. We have examined five different exchange-correlation functionals (SVWN, BP86, mPWPW91, B3PW91, and B3LYP) in our DFT calculations and found that the relative stabilities of the O-bonded and S-bonded structures are largely dependent on the functional employed. From detailed analyses of atomic charge distributions, it has been found that the calculated atomic charges on the central metal ions are strongly correlated with the relative energies. We also studied the effect of solvation on the linkage isomerism using continuum solvation models.     

pH-sensitive Ru(II) and Os(II) bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) complexes: A photophysical investigation

We have investigated the photophysical properties of two metal complexes, [M(tpy-py)₂][PF₆]₂, where tpy-py = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine and M = Ru(II) or Os(II), in acetonitrile and aqueous solutions at room temperature. Because the 4-pyridyl unit on the 4′-position of each tpy ligand contains a basic nitrogen atom, both of these compounds can exist in three different protonation states. We observed that the absorption and luminescence spectra of these compounds vary on changing the pH, because the protonation of the pendant pyridine unit makes it an electron acceptor by lowering the energy of its π^∗ orbital. We employed the absorption and luminescence spectral changes to study the acid-base reactions for these complexes, and found that the two protonation stages exhibit different pK_a values both in the electronic ground state and in the lowest (emitting) excited state. The absorption spectra and luminescence spectra and lifetimes of the deprotonated, mono-protonated and bis-protonated forms were also determined. While the absorption spectra of the variously protonated forms of both compounds can be intepreted in terms of a linear combination of two different and independent chromophores, namely M(tpy-py) and M(tpy-pyH⁺), the corresponding luminescence spectra exhibit a more complex behaviour, suggesting that the coupling between the two ligands in the lowest excited state is not negligible. Interestingly, at a low pH the luminescence of the Ru complex is switched on, whereas that of the Os complex is strongly quenched upon protonation of the pendant pyridine units. These compounds are of interest because they exhibit a luminescent signal in the red or far red spectral region that can be switched on or off by protons in solution. Hence, they could find applications as luminescent pH sensors and as molecular switches where a low-energy emission signal can be controlled by a chemical acid-base stimulation.     

Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium(II) complexes bearing the bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand

The reaction of [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_n with bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (bpma) in refluxing ethanol followed by anion exchange yields two products: cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂Cl]PF₆ (1a, 71%) and trans,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂Cl]PF₆ (1b, 29%). Reaction of 1a with AgBF₄ in acetone, followed by acetonitrile and then anion exchange gave cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)](PF₆)₂ (2a). In the same way, 1b afforded trans,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)](PF₆)₂ (2b). Reaction of depolymerized [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_n with bpma in ethanol at room temperature afforded cis,cis-[Ru(η²-bpma)(CO)₂Cl₂] (3). In refluxing ethanol, 3 was converted to cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂Cl]Cl (1a-Cl). Heating 3 in chlorobenzene afforded 1b-Cl, exclusively; heating 3 in ethylene glycol gave mainly 1a-Cl. Heating 1a-Cl in ethanol resulted in no isomerization, but heating in chlorobenzene gave a mixture of 3 and 1b-Cl. Anion exchange for PF₆ with 1a-Cl and 1b-Cl afforded 1a and 1b, respectively, whereas anion exchange for BPh₄ afforded 1a-BPh₄. Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a and 3 have been structurally characterized.     

Photochemical and photophysical properties of ruthenium(II) bis-bipyridine bis-nitrile complexes: Photolability

The electrochemical and photophysical properties of two bis-nitrilo ruthenium(II) complexes formulated as [Ru(bpy)₂(L)₂](PF₆)₂, where bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine and L is AN = CH₃CN and sn = NC-CH₂CH₂-CN, have been investigated. Electrochemical data are typical of Ru-bpy complexes with two reversible reduction peaks located near −1.3 and −1.6 V assigned to each bipyridine ligand and one Ru^II/Ru^III oxidation wave centered at approximately +1.5 V. The sn derivative is both IR and Raman active with its coordinated CN stretch appearing at 2277 cm⁻¹ and 2273 cm⁻¹, respectively. The UV/Vis absorption spectrum of the sn derivative is dominated by an intense (ε_max ∼ 58700 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) absorption band at 287 nm assigned as a LC (π → π∗) transition. The peak observed at 418 nm (ε ∼ 10 400 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) is an MLCT band while the one at 244 nm (ε ∼ 23 600 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) is of LMLCT character. The AN derivative behaves similarly. Both complexes show low-temperature emission at around 537 nm with a lifetime near 10.0 μs. ¹H and ¹³C assignments are consistent with the formulation of the complexes. The complexes undergo photosubstitution of solvent with quantum efficiencies near one. Calculated and experimental results support replacement of the nitrile ligands by solvent. Based on DFT calculations, the electron density of the HOMO lies on the metal center, the bipyridine ligands and the nitrile ligands and electron density of the LUMO resides primarily on the bipyridine ligands. The electronic spectra obtained from TDDFT calculations closely match the experimental ones.     

Synthesis and properties of trinuclear polypyridyl complexes Ru(II)-Co(II)-Ru(II) and Ru(II)-Co(III)-Ru(II): Their photoinduced interconversion

The trinuclear [{Ru^II(bpy)₂(bpy-terpy)}₂Co^II]⁶⁺ complex (1⁶⁺) in which a Co(II)-bis-terpyridine-like centre is covalently linked to two Ru(II)-tris-bipyridine-like moieties by a bridging bipyridine-terpyridine ligand has been synthesised and characterised. Its electrochemical, photophysical and photochemical properties have been investigated in CH₃CN. The cyclic voltammetry exhibits two successive reversible oxidation processes, corresponding to the Co^III/Co^II and Ru^III/Ru^II redox couples at E_1/2 = −0.06 and 0.91 V vs Ag/Ag⁺ 10 mM, respectively. The one-electron oxidized form of the complex, [{Ru^II(bpy)₂(bpy-terpy)}₂Co^III]⁷⁺ (1⁷⁺) obtained after exhaustive electrolysis carried out at 0.2 V is fully stable. 1⁶⁺ and 1⁷⁺ are only poorly luminescent, indicating that the covalent linkage of the Ru(II)-tris-bipyridine centre to the cobalt subunit leads to a strong quenching of the Ru^II excited state by an intramolecular process. Luminescence lifetime experiments carried out at different temperatures indicate that the transfer is more efficient for 1⁷⁺ compare to 1⁶⁺ due to lower activation energy. Continuous irradiation of 1⁷⁺ performed at 405 nm in the presence of P(Ph)₃ acting as sacrificial electron donor leads to its quantitative reduction into 1⁶⁺, whereas similar experiment starting from 1⁶⁺ with a sulfonium salt as sacrificial electron acceptor converts 1⁶⁺ into 1⁷⁺ with a slower rate and a maximum yield of 80%. These photoinduced electron transfers were followed by UV-Visible spectroscopy and compared with those obtained with a simple mixture of both mononuclear parent complexes i.e. [Ru^II(bpy)₃]²⁺ and [Co^II(tolyl-terpy)₂]²⁺ or [Co^III(tolyl-terpy)₂]³⁺ (tolyl-terpy = 4′-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine).     

Substitution of chloride by nitrosyl ligand in a scorpionate ruthenium(III) compound: A theoretical study

A theoretical study of the ruthenium(III) complex [RuCl₂(pz₂CHSO₃)(en)] and of its nitrosyl-substituted product [Ru(NO)Cl(pz₂CHSO₃)(en)]⁺ is presented, based on density functional calculations. Several isomers of each compound differing in the position of the anionic tail of a bis(3,4-dimethyl-1-yl)methanesulfonate scorpionate ligand, pz₂CHSO₃⁻, relative to the monodentate ligands have been optimized. A two-step mechanism is proposed for the ligand substitution reaction that is consistent with the computational results and the weak coordination of the sulfonate group.     

Accurate predictions of the EPR parameters in planar cobalt(II) complexes by hybrid density functional theory

The hybrid density functional theory is applied to calculate the electron paramagnetic resonance parameters, i.e, the g- and A-tensors of some planar Cobalt(II) complexes with a C_2v symmetry. Calculations were done for four systems: Co(acacen), Co(tacacen), Co(seacacen) and Co(sacsac)₂. The following hybrid functionals were employed: B3LYP, B3PW91, mPW1PW91 and PBE0. The expected large deviation of the g- and A-tensors is well reproduced, and is in very good agreement with the experimental observations. Comparative study shows that the PBE0 hybrid model yields the best agreement with experimental data.     

Steric hindrance effect of the equatorial ligand on Fe(IV)O and Ru(IV)O complexes: a density functional study

The geometric structures and mechanisms for hydrogen abstraction from cyclohexane for four high-valent complexes, [Fe^IV(O)(TMC)(NCMe)]²⁺ (where TMC is 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane; 1-NCMe), the inverted isomer [Fe^IV(NCMe)(TMC)(O)]²⁺ (2-NCMe), [Ru^IV(O)(TMC)(NCMe)]²⁺ (the ruthenium analogue of 1-NCMe; 3-NCMe), and the inverted isomer [Ru^IV(NCMe)(TMC)(O)]²⁺ (4-NCMe), were investigated using density functional theory. The axial NCMe ligand was found to be sterically more hindered in 2-NCMe than in 1-NCMe, which is in accord with the calculated results that the Fe–L_axial distance is longer in the former. Both 1-NCMe and 2-NCMe are capable of hydrogen abstraction from cyclohexane via two-state reactivity patterns. In contrast, 3-NCMe and 4-NCMe react with cyclohexane by a single-state mechanism. The reaction pathways computed reveal that 2-NCMe is more reactive than 1-NCMe, in agreement with experimental results, whereas the reactivity of 3-NCMe and 4-NCMe shows little dependence on whether the oxo unit is syn or anti to the four N-methyl groups. Our analysis shows that along the reaction pathway for 2-NCMe in the triplet spin state, the NCMe ligand moves away from the iron center, and therefore the energy of the s_z^{* 2} sigma_{z}^{* 2} (α-spin) orbital decreases and an electron is transferred to this orbital. Finally, we calculated the kinetic isotope effect and investigated the relationship between this effect and reaction barriers.     

Interaction of Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes of terpyridine with 1-methylazoles: A combined experimental and density functional study

The synthesis and characterization of several complexes of the composition [{M(terpy)}_n(L)](ClO₄)_m (M = Pt, Pd; L = 1-methylimidazole, 1-methyltetrazole, 1-methyltetrazolate; terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine; n = 1, 2; m = 1, 2, 3) is reported and their applicability in terms of a metal-mediated base pair investigated. Reaction of [M(terpy)(H₂O)]²⁺ with 1-methylimidazole leads to [M(terpy)(1-methylimidazole)](ClO₄)₂ (1: M = Pt; 2: M = Pd). The analogous reaction of [Pt(terpy)(H₂O)]²⁺ with 1-methyltetrazole leads to the organometallic compound [Pt(terpy)(1-methyltetrazolate)]ClO₄ (3) in which the aromatic tetrazole proton has been substituted by the platinum moiety. For both platinum(II) and palladium(II), doubly metalated complexes [{M(terpy)}₂(1-methyltetrazolate)](ClO₄)₃ (4: M = Pt; 5: M = Pd) can also be obtained depending on the reaction conditions. In the latter two compounds, the [M(terpy)]²⁺ moieties are coordinated via C5 and N4. X-ray crystal structures of 1, 2, and 3 are reported. In addition, DFT calculations have been carried out to determine the energy difference between fully planar [Pd(mterpy)(L)]²⁺ complexes Ip-IVp (mterpy = 4′-methyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine; L = 1-methylimidazole-N3 (I), 1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole-N4 (II), 1-methyltetrazole-N3 (III), or 3-methylpyridine-N1 (IV)) and the respective geometry-optimized structures Io-IVo. Whereas this energy difference is larger than 70 kJ mol⁻¹ for compounds I, II, and IV, it amounts to only 0.8 kJ mol⁻¹ for the tetrazole-containing complex III, which is stabilized by two intramolecular C-H?N hydrogen bonds. Of all complexes under investigation, only the terpyridine-metal ion-tetrazole system with N3-coordinated tetrazole appears to be suited for an application in terms of a metal-mediated base pair in a metal-modified oligonucleotide.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and density functional theory study of dimeric copper(II) complexes of a tridentate Schiff-base ligand

Oxalate- or 4,4′-bipyridine-bridged dimeric copper(II) complexes, [Cu₂L₂(μ-ox)] (1) and [Cu₂L₂(μ-bipy)](BF₄)₂ (2) [where ox = oxalate, bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, HL = N-(1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethylene)-2-pyridineethanamine, L⁻ = HL−H⁺], have been synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal structure determinations carried out on 1 and 2 reveal that 1 is an oxalate-bridged centrosymmetrical square pyramidal dimeric copper(II) complex while 2 is a 4,4′-bipyridine-bridged non-centrosymmetric square planar dinuclear copper(II) complex. Comparison of the optimised geometries with the corresponding crystal structures suggests that the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level can reproduce the structures of 1 and 2 on the whole. The electronic spectra of 1 and 2 predicted by B3LYP/LANL2DZ method show some blue shifts compared with their experimental data. Thermal analysis carried out on 1 shows that there is only one exothermal peak at about 260 °C and the residue is presumably Cu₂O₄N₆.     

A comparative study of the spectroscopy and oxidative spectroelectrochemistry of a series of homo- and heterobimetallic Ru(II) and Os(II) polypyridine complexes

A spectroscopic and spectroelectrochemical comparison is made among homo- and heterobimetallic complexes of the form [(bpy)₂Ru(BL)Os(byp)₂]⁴⁺, [(bpy)₂Ru(BL)Ru(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ and [(bpy)₂Os(BL)Os(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ (BL = 2,3,-bis(2′-pyridyl)pyrazzine(dpp),2,3-bis(2′-pyridyl)quinoxaline(dpq) or 2,3-bis(2′-pyridyl)benzoquinoxaline(dpb); bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine). It has been postulated that the spectroscopy of the mixed-metal bimetallic complexes bridged by polyazine bridging ligands can be assigned by comparison to those of the homobimetallic analogs. We have in hand a unique series of complexes where such a postulate can be tested. Utilizing the visible spectra of the homobimetallic Os,Os and Ru,Ru systems, we have been able to generate the spectra of the mixed-metal complexes. Some differences have been seen, particularly in the energy of the Os → dpp ³MLCT. Oxidative spectroelectrochemistry studies on the homobimetallic ruthenium or osmium based systems indicate that upon complete oxidation of both metal centers, transitions in the visible are lost. Hence, partial oxidation of the ruthenium based homobimetallics and Os, Ru mixed-metal bimetallics allows for the direct comparison of the spectroscopic character of the one remaining ruthenium chromophore within these mixed-valence systems. Oxidation to form the Os(III)/Ru(II) species and the Ru(III)/Ru(II) species resulted in similar spectra. This establishes further that the visible spectroscopy of mixed-metal systems of this nature can be accurately interpreted by comparison to the homobimetallic analogs.     

Nickel(II) complexes bearing a pincer ligand containing thioamide units: Comparison between SNS- and SCS-pincer ligands

Nickel(II) complexes bearing a κ³SNS pincer ligand, 2,5-bis(benzylaminothiocarbonyl)pyrrolyl (L1) and a κ³SCS-pincer ligand, 2,6-bis(benzylaminothiocarbonyl)phenyl (L2), were synthesized, and their structures and electrochemical properties were elucidated. The crystal structures of [Ni(SNS)Br] (2) and [Ni(SCS)Br] (5) were determined by X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical and crystallographic data obtained from the complexes revealed that the κ³SCS ligand has a stronger electron-donating ability than the κ³SNS ligand.     

A dinuclear copper(II) complex with a Cu(O, N-O)Cu bridging core: structural and magnetic (experimental and density functional theory) studies

The molecular and electronic structure, along with the magnetic properties of a dinuclear complex in which two copper ions interact through a phenoxo oxygen atom and an oximato group are presented. The complex [CuL³Cu(O₂CCH₃)]3H₂O ·  0.5CH₃OH (3) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc, with a=28.432(2) Å, b=12.305(1) Å, c=13.159(1) Å and β=99.580(9)°. The X-ray molecular structure shows that the core of the molecule comprising the two metal ions and the seven neighboring donors is nearly planar. The copper(II) ions were found to be antiferromagnetically coupled with a singlet-triplet splitting of 764(4) cm⁻¹. Density Functional Theory (DFT) showed that the magnetic orbitals are largely delocalized towards the bridging area, and an antiferromagnetic interaction in good agreement with the experimental data was computed using the Broken Symmetry (BS) formalism to obtain the energy of the singlet state.     

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structures, and photophysical properties of a series of room-temperature phosphorescent copper(I) complexes with oxadiazole-derived diimine ligand

In this paper, we report four phosphorescent Cu(I) complexes of [Cu(OP)(PPh₃)₂]BF₄, [Cu(Me-OP)(PPh₃)₂]BF₄, [Cu(OP)(POP)]BF₄, and [Cu(Me-OP)(POP)]BF₄ with oxadiazole-derived diimine ligands, where OP = 2-(5-phenyl-[1,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl)-pyridine, Me-OP = 2-(5-p-tolyl-[1,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl)-pyridine, POP = bis(2-(diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl) ether, and PPh₃ = triphenylphosphane, including their synthesis, crystal structures, photophysical properties, and electronic nature. The Cu(I) center has a distorted tetrahedral geometry within the Cu(I) complexes. Theoretical calculation reveals that all emissions originate from triplet metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer excited state. It is found that the inter-molecular sandwich structure triggered by inter- and intra-molecular pi-stacking within solid state Cu(I) complexes is highly effective on restricting the geometric relaxation that occurs in excited states, and thus greatly enhances the photoluminescence (PL) performances, including PL quantum yield improvement, PL decay lifetime increase, and emission blue shift.     

Synthesis, characterization, X-ray structure and in vitro antimycobacterial and antitumoral activities of Ru(II) phosphine/diimine complexes containing the "SpymMe2" ligand, SpymMe2=4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine

The reaction of cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(N-N)], dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane, complexes with the ligand HSpymMe₂, 4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine, yielded the cationic complexes [Ru(SpymMe₂)(dppb)(N-N)]PF₆, N-N = bipy (1) and Me-bipy (2), bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine and Me-bipy = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, which were characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques and X-ray crystallography and elemental analysis. Additionally, preliminary in vitro tests for antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27264 and antitumor activity against the MDA-MB-231 human breast tumor cell line were carried out on the new complexes and also on the precursors cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(N-N)], N-N = bipy (3) and Me-bipy (4) and the free ligands dppb, bipy, Me-bipy and SpymMe₂. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of compounds needed to kill 90% of mycobacterial cells and the IC₅₀ values for the antitumor activity were determined. Compounds 1-4 exhibited good in vitro activity against M. tuberculosis, with MIC values ranging between 0.78 and 6.25 μg/mL, compared to the free ligands (MIC of 25 to >50 μg/mL) and the drugs used to treat tuberculosis. Complexes 1 and 2 also showed promising antitumor activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.46 ± 0.02 and 0.43 ± 0.08 μM, respectively, against MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cells.     

Influence of the anionic ligands on the anticancer activity of Ru(II)-dmso complexes: Kinetics of aquation and in vitro cytotoxicity of new dicarboxylate compounds in comparison with their chloride precursors

We performed extensive studies on the kinetics of hydrolysis of a series of Ru(II)-dmso complexes containing dicarboxylate ligands, such as oxalate, malonate, succinate and 1,1-cyclobutane dicarboxylate (cbdc), derived from anticancer-active Ru(II)-dmso-Cl precursors. The in vitro antitumor activity of those compounds in comparison with their chloride precursors was evaluated against two tumor cell lines, the human KB oral carcinoma and the murine B16-F10 melanoma. The aim of this study was to assess how the nature of the anionic ligands (i.e. dicarboxylates vs. chlorides) affects the chemical behavior and the in vitro antitumor activity of Ru(II)-dmso complexes. Among the tested compounds only one complex, the dimer [fac-Ru(dmso-S)(3)(H(2)O)(mu-cbdc)](2) (5), exhibited moderate activity against both cell lines. Interestingly, this compound is the most kinetically stable in aqueous solution among those investigated. Despite the moderate in vitro activity, in an in vivo test, complex 5 exhibited no activity against both the primary tumor growth and the formation of spontaneous metastases on the MCa mammary carcinoma model.     

Substituent effect of 8-quinolinolato ligands on photo-induced isomerization for linear nitrosylruthenium(II) complexes - Experimental study

cis-1 [RuCl(QN)(QN′)NO] (HQN or HQN′ = 8-quinolinol, 5-chloro-, 5,7-dichloro-, 2-isopropyl-, 2-ethyl-, 2,4-dimethyl- or 2-methyl-8-quinolinol) complexes and the corresponding trans complexes were prepared. The cis-1 to trans and the trans to cis-1 photo-induced isomerizations were carried out to investigate the substituent effect of the 8-quinolinolato ligands on the isomerization and to elucidate the mechanism. The molar ratio of trans to cis-1 isomer for the isomerization was compared among [RuCl(QN)(QN′)NO], [RuCl(QN′)₂NO] and [RuCl(QN)₂NO]. The results clearly indicate that the chloro group and bulkiness of the alkyl group in the 8-quinolinolato ligands influence on the isomerization.