Synthesis and spectroscopy of diethyl (pyridinylmethyl)phosphates and their palladium (II) complexes: X-ray crystal structures of Pd(II) complexes

The synthesis of diethyl (pyridin-2-, -3-, -4-ylmethyl)phosphate (2-pmOpe, 3-pmOpe, 4-pmOpe) ligands and their palladium (II) complexes of general formula trans-[PdCl₂L₂] (L = 2-pmOpe, 3-pmOpe,4-pmOpe) has been described. Pyridine phosphate derivatives were synthesized via the condensation of phosphorochloridic acid diethyl ester with an appropriate pyridinylmethanol in the presence of triethylamine. The compounds have been identified and characterized by IR, far-IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR, ³¹P CP-MAS NMR and elemental analyses. The crystal and molecular structures of palladium (II) complexes, i.e., [PdCl₂(2-pmOpe)₂] and [PdCl₂(4-pmOpe)₂] determined by the X-ray diffraction method, are presented. In both structures, Pd(II) ions are four-coordinated by two chlorine atoms and two pyridine nitrogen atoms. The geometry of complexes is square-planar and adopt a trans configuration, which is consistent with preparation method.     

Genotoxicity of novel trans-platinum(II) complex with diethyl (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)phosphate in human non-small cell lung cancer cells A549

The dynamic development of metal-containing anticancer drugs has started since the discovery of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II). For many years it was believed that trans platinum(II) compounds were non-active as antitumour agents because trans-diamminedichloroplatinum is biologically inactive although it binds to DNA and also forms monoadducts and cross-links. In the present work the ability of a novel platinum(II) compound trans-[PtCl(2)(4-pmOpe)(2)] to induce DNA damage in human non-small cell lung cancer cells A549 was examined using the alkaline comet assay. The obtained results revealed that the novel trans platinum(II) complex induced DNA strand breaks, which were effectively repaired during 2h of post-incubation, and cross-links which remained unrepaired under these test conditions. Apart from that, the modified comet assay with incubation with proteinase K was used to verify the ability of trans-[PtCl(2)(4-pmOpe)(2)] and cis-DDP to form DNA-protein cross-links. It has been proved that only trans-[PtCl(2)(4-pmOpe)(2)] complex exhibits the ability to induce DNA-protein cross-links. The results suggest a different mechanism of action of this compound in comparison to cis-DDP. It seems that trans geometry and the presence of two diethyl (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)phosphates as non-leaving ligands can determine dissimilar properties of the adducts formed on DNA and the different mechanism of action of trans-[PtCl(2)(4-pmOpe)(2)] and in consequence the efficacy in killing cancer cells.     

Spectroscopic and magnetic properties of diethyl (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)phosphate (4-pmOpe) ligand with perchlorate transition metal salts. Crystal structure of [Cu(4-pmOpe)2(ClO4)2]

The perchlorate M(II) (M = Cu, Ni, Co) complexes with the diethyl (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)phosphate (4-pmOpe) ligand of the composition [M(4-pmOpe)₂ (H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (M = Ni, Co) and [Cu(4-pmOpe)₂(ClO₄)₂] were prepared and studied. The ligand contains two donor atoms, i.e. pyridine nitrogen and phosphoryl oxygen atoms. In particular, the crystal structure of [Cu(4-pmOpe)₂(ClO₄)₂] was determined by the X-ray method. Its structure consists of a one-dimensional polymeric chain in which copper(II) ions are N,O-bridged by two 4-pmOpe organic ligands in a trans arrangement. Two perchlorate ions occupy the fifth and the sixth coordination sites. The Cu?Cu distance is 9.180 Å. The crystal packing is determined by the weak intermolecular C-H?O hydrogen contacts. The coordination compounds were identified and characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic and magnetic studies. Spectroscopic and magnetic results of the copper(II) compound are presented in the light of the crystal structure. The magnetic data indicate very weak intra- and interchain magnetic exchange interactions (J^’ = −0.43 and zJ^’ = 0.29 cm⁻¹, respectively). The spectroscopic and magnetic properties of the Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes indicate octahedral and polymeric structure of both compounds in which 4-pmOpe ligand also acts as N,O-bridge between metal ions.     

Cytotoxic effect, differentiation, inhibition of growth and theoretical calculations of an N,N-donor ligands and its platinum(II), palladium(II) and copper(II) complexes

The new pyrazole ligand 5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-1-(2-pyridylo)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (2) and the corresponding Pt(II), Pd(II) and Cu(II) complexes 3-5 have been synthesized as potential anticancer compounds, and characterized using IR, and (1)H NMR as well as mass spectrometry. The 3-D structures of the Cu(II) complexes were determined by quantum mechanic calculation DFT methodology (density functional theory). The cytotoxicity assay of the ligand and complexes has been performed on leukemia cell lines. In general, the complexes showed lower cytotoxicity than cisplatin, and the Pt(II) and Cu(II) complexes were found to be more efficient in the induction of leukemia cell death than the Pd(II) complex. Our investigations indicate that the antiproliferating activity of the Pt(II) and Cu(II) complexes was partly due to the modulation of cellular differentiation.     

Coordination properties of ethyl bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)phosphate ligand with copper and zinc chloride. X-ray crystal structure of Cu(II) complex

A new ethyl bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)phosphate (2-bis(pm)Ope) ligand has been synthesized and used for synthesis of copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of the formula [MCl₂(2-bis(pm)Ope)] [M = Cu(II), Zn(II)]. Despite having the same general formula, Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes are not isostructural. The Zn(II) complex is four coordinated (MCl₂N₂) forming probably tetrahedral structure whereas the Cu(II) complex of distorted square pyramidal geometry is five coordinated (MCl₂ON₂). The later compound not only coordinates by two nitrogen atoms of pyridine rings but also by the oxygen atom of pyridin-2-ylmethoxyl residue. The compound (2-bis(pm)Ope) has been obtained as the product of diethyl (pyridin-2-ylmethyl)phosphate’s (2-pmOpe) transestrification. The compounds have been identified and characterized by IR, far-IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR and elemental analyses. The crystal structure of copper(II) complex i.e. [CuCl₂(2-bis(pm)Ope)] has been determined by the X-ray diffraction method. The low temperature magnetic study reveals significant antiferromagnetic interaction between copper centers through the H-bond system.     

Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxic activity of copper(II) and platinum(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyrrole and X-ray structure of bis[2-benzoylpyrrolato(N,O)]copper(II)

Copper(II) and platinum(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyrrole (2-BZPH) were synthesized and characterized with IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies and coordination geometry with ligands arranged in transoid fashion. The crystal structure of [Cu(II)(2-BZP)2] was determined by X-ray diffraction. Death of complex treated Jurkat cells was measured by flow cytometry. The bis-chelate complexes [Cu(II)(2-BZP)2] and [Pt(II)(2-BZP)2] adopt square-planar coordination geometry with ligands, arranged in transoid fashion. Concentrations of 1-10 microM Platinum(II) complexes reduced cell survival from 100% to 20%, in contrast to the copper(II) complex which caused no cell death at a concentration of 10 microM. While the Pt(II) complexes may have damaged DNA to induce cell death, treatment with the Cu(II) complex did not induce Jurkat cell death.     

Metalloantibiotics: synthesis and antibacterial activity of cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of kefzol

Kefzol (kzl), a beta-lactam antibiotic, possesses various donor sites for interaction with transition metal(II) ions [Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)] to form complexes of the type [M(kzl)2]Cl2 and [M(kzl)Cl], with molar ratio of metal: ligand (M:L) of 1:2 and 1:1 respectively. These complexes were prepared and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Their IR and NMR spectra suggest that kefzol potentially acts as a bidentate, tridentate as well as monoanionic tetradentate ligand. The complexes have been screened for antibacterial activity and results were compared with the activity of the uncomplexed antibiotic against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. The metal complexes were found to be more potent against one or more bacterial species than the uncomplexed kefzol.     

Mononuclear nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with Schiff base ligands derived from 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol and S-methylisothiosemicarbazones

Four new square-planar Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with [N₂O₂] binding system were synthesized by metal-directed condensation of 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol with benzoyl or acetylacetone mono-S-methylisothiosemicarbazone. Only mononuclear “one-armed” complexes were obtained as a consequence of the different reactivity of the two carbonyl groups in the hydroxydialdehyde. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, EI MS and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The structural assignment was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and NMR spectroscopy, for the Ni(II) complexes, and by ESR spectroscopy and magnetic measurements, for the Cu(II) complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel Pd(II) complex with the condensation product of 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde and ethyl hydrazinoacetate. Cytotoxic activity of the synthesized complex and related Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes

A new palladium(II) complex 1 of the condensation product of 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde (dpba) and ethyl hydrazinoacetate (etha) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The bound ligand is a bidentate (PN chromophore), the remaining two coordination places being occupied by chloride ions in overall square planar geometry. The cytotoxic activity of the complex 1 and two related Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes 2 and 3 was tested against a panel of four tumor cell lines. The activity of the complexes was similar to that of cisplatin, the most widely used metal-based antitumor drug. It is important to notice that complexes 2 and 3 were active to cisplatin-resistant U2-OS/Pt cells. Cell cycle alteration investigation, apoptotic assay and gelatin zymography in relation to invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, were performed with all the investigated complexes on Human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cells. The results suggest that 1 has a similar effect to cisplatin, inducing apoptosis followed by arrest of cells in S phase of cell cycle, while 2 and 3 induce apoptosis without significant perturbations of cell cycle distribution.     

Electroporation Enhances the Anticancer Effects of Novel Cu(II) and Fe(II) Complexes in Chemotherapy-Resistant Glioblastoma Cancer Cells

Schiff base ligand (L) was obtained by condensation reaction between 4-aminopyrimidin-2(1H)-one (cytosine) with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. The synthesized Schiff base was used for complexation with Cu(II) and Fe(II) ions used by a molar (2 : 1 mmol ration) in methanol solvent. The structural features of ligand, Cu(II), and Fe(II) metal complexes were determined by standard spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, elemental analysis, proton and carbon NMR spectra, UV/VIS, and mass spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, thermal analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction). The synthesized compounds (Schiff base and its metal complexes) were screened in terms of their anti-proliferative activities in U118 and T98G human glioblastoma cell lines alone or in combination with electroporation (EP). Moreover, the human HDF (human dermal fibroblast) cell lines was used to check the bio-compatibility of the compounds. Anti-proliferative activities of all compounds were ascertained using an MTT assay. The complexes exhibited a good anti-proliferative effect on U118 and T98G glioblastoma cell lines. In addition, these compounds had a negligible cytotoxic effect on the fibroblast HDF cell lines. The use of compounds in combination with EP significantly decreased the IC₅₀ values compared to the use of compounds alone (p<0.05). These results show that newly synthesized Cu(II) and Fe(II) complexes can be developed for use in the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant U118 and T98G glioblastoma cells and that treatment with lower doses can be provided when used in combination with EP.     

Platinum(II) complexes with l-methionylglycine and l-methionyl-l-leucine ligands: synthesis, characterization and in vitro antitumoral activity

Four dipeptide complexes of the type [PtX(2)(dipeptide)] x H(2)O (X=Cl, I, dipeptide=l-methionylglycine, l-methionyl-l-leucine) were prepared. The complexes were characterized by (1)H, (13)C, (195)Pt NMR and infrared spectroscopy, DTG and elemental analysis. From the infrared, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy it was concluded that dipeptides coordinate bidentately via sulfur and amine nitrogen donor atoms. Confirmed with (13)C and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopy, each of the complexes exists in two diastereoisomeric forms, which are related by inversion of configuration at the sulfur atom. The (1)H NMR spectrum for the platinum(II) complex with l-methionylglycine and chloro ligands exhibited reversible, intramolecular inversion of configuration at the S atom; DeltaG( not equal)=72 kJ mol(-1) at coalescence temperature 349 K was calculated. In vitro cytotoxicity studies using the human tumor cell lines liposarcoma, lung carcinoma A549 and melanoma 518A2 revealed considerable activity of the platinum(II) complex with l-methionylglycine and chloro ligands. Further in vitro cytotoxic evaluation using human testicular germ cell tumor cell lines 1411HP and H12.1 and colon carcinoma cell line DLD-1 showed moderate cytotoxic activity for all platinum(II) complexes only in the cisplatin-sensitive cell line H12.1. Platinum uptake studies using atomic absorption spectroscopy indicated no relationship between uptake and activity. Potential antitumoral activity of this class of platinum(II) complexes is dependent on the kind of ligands as well as on tumor cell type.     

Antiproliferative activity of Pt(II) and Pd(II) phosphine complexes with thymine and thymidine

Oxidative addition reactions between [M(PPh(3))(4)] (M=Pt and Pd) and N1-methylthymine (t)/3',5'-di-O-acetylthymidine (T) were carried out to give [M(II)(PPh(3))(2)Cl t (or T)] complexes, in which the metal is coordinated to the N3 of the base. All complexes were characterized by spectroscopic analyses (IR, NMR) and Fast Atom Bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS); X-ray data for the thymine complexes and elemental analysis for the thymidine complexes are reported. The antiproliferative activity of the complexes was tested on human chronic myelogenous leukaemia K562 cells. Arrested polymerase-chain reaction analysis was carried on to correlate antiproliferative activity and inhibition of DNA replication. All Pd and Pt complexes exhibit antiproliferative activity, Pd complexes resulting always more active than Pt complexes. Arrested PCR data are strongly in agreement with the effects on cell growth, suggesting that inhibition of the DNA replication by the synthesized compounds is the major basis for their in vitro antiproliferative activity.     

Metalloantibiotics: Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Cobalt(II), Copper(II), Nickel(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes of Kefzol

Kefzol (kzl), a β-lactam antibiotic, possesses various donor sites for interaction with transition metal(II) ions [Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)] to form complexes of the type [M(kzl)2]Cl2 and [M(kzl)Cl], with molar ratio of metal: ligand (M:L) of 1:2 and 1:1 respectively. These complexes were prepared and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Their IR and NMR spectra suggest that kefzol potentially acts as a bidentate, tridentate as well as monoanionic tetradentate ligand. The complexes have been screened for antibacterial activity and results were compared with the activity of the uncomplexed antibiotic against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. The metal complexes were found to be more potent against one or more bacterial species than the uncomplexed kefzol.     

Novel platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors: synthesis, characterization and antitumour activity

The Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes of the types cis-[Pt(L(1))(2)Cl(2)].H(2)O (1), cis-[Pt(L(2))(2)Cl(2)].3H(2)O (2), trans-[Pd(L(1))(2)Cl(2)].H(2)O (3), trans-[Pd(L(2))(2)Cl(2)].H(2)O (4), trans-[Pd(L(3))(2)Cl(2)].2DMF (5) and trans-[Pd(L(4))(2)Cl(2)].2DMF (6) (L(1)-L(4)=cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors derived from 6-benzylamino-9-isopropylpurine) have been prepared and characterized. The complexes have been studied by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, ES+ MS, FT-IR, (1)H, (13)C and (195)Pt NMR spectra, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The molecular structures of L(1), trans-[Pd(L(3))(2)Cl(2)].2DMF (5) and trans-[Pd(L(4))(2)Cl(2)].2DMF (6) have been determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. The complexes have been tested in vitro due to their presumable anticancer activity against the following human cancer cell lines: K-562, MCF7, G-361 and HOS. Satisfying results were obtained for the complex 1 with IC(50) values of 6 microM acquired against G-361 as well as against HOS cell lines. The lowest values of IC(50) were achieved for the complexes 3 and 4 against MCF 7 cell line with IC(50) 3 microM(for 3) and also 3 microM (for 4).     

Enantiomeric Specificity of Biologically Significant Cu(II) and Zn(II) Chromone Complexes Towards DNA

Novel chiral Schiff base ligands (R)/(S)‐2‐amino‐3‐(((1‐hydroxypropan‐2‐yl)imino)methyl)‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one (L₁ and L₂) derived from 2‐amino‐3‐formylchromone and (R/S)‐2‐amino‐1‐propanol and their Cu(II)/Zn(II) complexes ( R1 , S1 , R2 , and S2 ) were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), hydrogen (¹H) and carbon (¹³C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electrospray ionization‐mass spectra (ESI‐MS), and molar conductance measurements. The DNA binding studies of the complexes with calf thymus were carried out by employing different biophysical methods and molecular docking studies that revealed that complexes R1 and S1 prefers the guanine–cytosine‐rich region, whereas R2 and S2 prefers the adenine–thymine residues in the major groove of DNA. The relative trend in K_b values followed the order R1 S1 R2 S2 . This observation together with the findings of circular dichroic and fluorescence studies revealed maximal potential of (R)‐enantiomeric form of complexes to bind DNA. Furthermore, the absorption studies with mononucleotides were also monitored to examine the base‐specific interactions of the complexes that revealed a higher propensity of Cu(II) complexes for guanosine‐5′‐monophosphate disodium salt, whereas Zn(II) complexes preferentially bind to thymidine‐5′‐monophosphate disodium salt. The cleavage activity of R1 and R2 with pBR322 plasmid DNA was examined by gel electrophoresis that revealed that they are good DNA cleavage agents; nevertheless, R1 proved to show better DNA cleavage ability. Topoisomerase II inhibitory activity of complex R1 revealed that the complex inhibits topoisomerase II catalytic activity at a very low concentration (25 μM). Furthermore, in vitro antitumor activity of complexes R1 and S1 were screened against human carcinoma cell lines of different histological origin. Chirality 24:977–986, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with aromatic diamines: study of their interaction with DNA

Pd(II) and Pt(II) new complexes with simple aromatic diamines were synthesised and characterised with the aim of studying their possible antitumour activity. The aromatic diamines chosen were 2,3-diaminotoluene (2,3 dat), 3,4-diaminotoluene (3,4 dat), 4,5-diaminoxylene (4,5 dax) and 2,3-diaminophenol (2,3 dap). The complexes, of formulae cis-[MCl(2)(diamine)], were characterised by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, 1H, 13C(1H) and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure was also resolved for the palladium complexes with 2,3-diaminotoluene and 4,5-diaminoxylene. The DNA adduct formation of the eight new complexes synthesised was followed by circular dichroism and electrophoretic mobility. Atomic force microscopy images of the modifications caused by the complexes on plasmid DNA pBR322 were also obtained. Values of IC50 were also calculated for the four platinum complexes against the cisplatin resistant tumour cell line A2780cisR.     

Synthesis and characterization of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with Schiff bases derivatives of 2-pyridincarboxyaldehyde. Study of their interaction with DNA

Several Schiff bases ligand derivatives of 2-pyridincarboxyaldehyde and different amines, together with their palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes have been synthesised and characterised. The aim of this study is to probe the influence of substituents beared on the pyridyl/toulene ring at different position to their possible antitumor activity. The amines used were o-, m-, p-toluidine and 4-hydroxyaniline. All the compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. The formation of DNA adducts were analysed by circular dichroism and electrophoretic mobility. Atomic force microscopy images of the compounds with plasmid DNA pBR322 were also obtained. In all cases changes in the second and tertiary structure of DNA could be observed as a consequence of the covalent interaction of the palladium(II) or platinum(II) ions with the N of the nucleobases. However, there are not significant differences in the behavior of the complexes related to the position of the methyl groups or the presence of the OH group. Values of IC50 were also calculated for the platinum(II) complexes for several pairs of ovarian tumor cell lines which were either sensitive or resistant to cisplatin. Finally in vitro apoptosis studies for platinum(II) complexes with ovarian tumor cell lines A2780/A2780cisR were carried out. The results indicated interesting antiproliferative activity and significant apoptosis induction.     

Complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) with the shiff base: 1H-indole-3-ethylensalicylaldimine as ligand

Complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) with the Schiff base 1H-indole-3-ethylensalicylaldimine as ligand are studied. The isolated complexes correspond to the general formulae ML₂ (where L= ligand).The complexes were characterized by mass spectra, IR, ¹H NMR, UVVis spectra and magnetic measurements.The results indicated that the ligands coordinate through N and O with the metal ions in different stereochemistries.     

Solution behaviour and biological activity of bisamidine complexes of platinum(II)

A series of platinum(II) amidine complexes were previously prepared with the aim of obtaining a new class of platinum-based antitumour drugs. This series includes compounds of the type cis--[PtCl2{Z-HN=C(NHMe)Me}2] and trans-[PtCl2{Z-HN=C(NHMe)Me}2] (1, 2), cis-[PtCl2{E-HN=C(NMe2)Me}2] and trans-[PtCl2{E-HN=C(NMe2)Me}2] (3, 4), cis-[PtCl2{Z-HN=C(NHMe)Ph}2] and trans-[PtCl2{Z-HN=C(NHMe)Ph}2] (5, 6), and cis-[PtCl2{HN=C(NMe2)Ph}2] and trans-[PtCl2{HN=C(NMe2)Ph}2] (7, 8). The reactions with dimethyl sulfoxide were studied for complexes 5-8; the formation of cationic species containing coordinated dimethyl sulfoxide was demonstrated by NMR experiments and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. In this work, the amidine platinum(II) complexes were tested for their in vitro cytotoxicity on a panel of various human cancer cell lines. The results indicate that the benzamidine complex 8 was the most effective derivative also circumventing acquired cisplatin resistance as demonstrated by chemosensitivity tests performed on cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant cell lines. The studies concerning the cellular DNA damage on both parental chemosensitive and resistant sublines suggest for the new trans-amidine complex a different mechanism of action compared with that exhibited by cisplatin.     

Synthesis and pharmacological activities of some mononuclear Ru(II) complexes

A series of mononuclear Ru(II) complexes of the type [Ru(M)2(U)]2+, where M = 2,2'-bipyridine/1,10-phenanthroline and U = tpl (Ru1), 4-Cl-tpl (Ru2), 4-CH3-tpl (Ru3), 4-CH3O-tpl (Ru4), and 4-NO2-tpl (Ru5), -pai (Ru6), where tpl = thiopicolinanilide and pai = 2-phenyl-azo-imidazole, have been prepared and characterized by IR, UV-Vis, 1H NMR, 13C-NMR, FAB-Mass spectrophotometer, and elemental analysis. The complexes display metal-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions in the visible region. The title complexes were subjected to in vivo anticancer activity tests against a transplantable murine tumor cell line, Ehrlich's ascitic carcinoma (EAC) and in vitro antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms. Ru1-Ru6 were found to increase the life span of the tumor hosts by 19-52%, and decreased tumor volume and viable ascitic cell count. The results of the present study clearly demonstrated the tumor inhibitory activity of the ruthenium chelates against transplantable murine tumor cell line. The treatment with ruthenium complexes could be secondary to tumor regression or due to the action of the compounds itself. The significant antibacterial activity was observed for Ru1-Ru4 against microorganisms like Vibrio cholera 865, Staphylococcus aureus 6571, and Shigella flexneri as compared to that of standard drug chloramphenical. Ru5 showed moderate activity against S. aureus 8530. However, all the complexes fail to show significant antibacterial activity against V. cholera 14033 and Shigella sonnai.