Acidity and photolability of ruthenium salen nitrosyl and aquo complexes in aqueous solutions

The photochemical behavior of nitrosyl complexes Ru(salen)(NO)(OH₂)⁺ and Ru(salen)(NO)Cl (salen = N,N′-ethylenebis-(salicylideneiminato) dianion) in aqueous solution is described. Irradiation with light in the 350-450 nm range resulted in nitric oxide (NO) release from both. For Ru(salen)(NO)Cl secondary photoreactions also resulted in chloride aquation. Thus, in both cases the final photoproduct is the diaquo cation , for which pK_a’s of 5.9 and 9.1 were determined for the coordinated waters. The pK_a of the Ru(salen)(NO)(OH₂)⁺ cation was also determined as 4.5 ± 0.1, and the relative acidities of these ruthenium aquo units are discussed in the context of the bonding interactions between Ru(III) and NO.     

Structural and spectroscopic evidence for linkage isomerism of bound nitrite in a {Fe-NO} nitrosyl derived from a tetradentate dicarboxamide ligand: More parallels between heme and non-heme systems

The ambidentate ligand nitrite (NO₂) binds to transition metal centers through the N (nitro) or O (nitrito) atom. In metal porphyrin complexes, the energy difference between the two linkage isomers is small and hence slight differences in reaction conditions and/or ligand design give rise to formation of the isomers in different ratios. In the present work, similar behavior has been observed in case of the {Fe-NO}⁶ nitrosyl [(Me₂bpb)Fe(NO)(NO₂)] (2), derived from a non-heme planar dicarboxamide ligand N,N′-bispyridinecarboxamido-4,5-dimethylbenzenediamine (H₂Me₂bpb). Under anaerobic conditions, reaction of the Fe(III) complex [(Me₂bpb)Fe(py)₂]ClO₄ (1) with NO(g) in MeCN affords 2, a product that contains both the N- and O-bound isomer in different ratios depending on the reaction conditions. In protic solvents, the same reaction affords the {Fe-NO}⁷ nitrosyl [(Me₂bpb)Fe(NO)] (3). Both nitrosyls have been characterized by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies.     

fac-/mer-[RuCl3(NO)(P-N)] (P-N = [o-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl]diphenylphosphine): Synthesis, characterization and DFT calculations

Complex fac-[RuCl₃(NO)(P-N)] (1) was synthesized from the reaction of [RuCl₃(H₂O)₂(NO)] and the P-N ligand, o-[(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl]diphenylphosphine) in refluxing methanol solution, while complex mer,trans-[RuCl₃(NO)(P-N)] (2) was obtained by photochemical isomerization of (1) in dichloromethane solution. The third possible isomer mer,cis-[RuCl₃(NO)(P-N)] (3) was never observed in direct synthesis as well as in photo- or thermal-isomerization reactions. When refluxing a methanol solution of complex (2) a thermally induced isomerization occurs and complex (1) is regenerated.The complexes were characterized by NMR (³¹P{¹H}, ¹⁵N{¹H} and ¹H), cyclic voltammetry, FTIR, UV-Vis, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction structure determination. The ³¹P{¹H} NMR revealed the presence of singlet at 35.6 for (1) and 28.3 ppm for (2). The ¹H NMR spectrum for (1) presented two singlets for the methyl hydrogens at 3.81 and 3.13 ppm, while for (2) was observed only one singlet at 3.29 ppm. FTIR Ru-NO stretching in KBr pellets or CH₂Cl₂ solution presented 1866 and 1872 cm⁻¹ for (1) and 1841 and 1860 cm⁻¹ for (2). Electrochemical analysis revealed a irreversible reduction attributed to Ru^II-NO⁺ → Ru^II-NO⁰ at −0.81 V and −0.62 V, for (1) and (2), respectively; the process Ru^II → Ru^III, as expected, is only observed around 2.0 V, for both complexes.Studies were conducted using ¹⁵NO and both complexes were isolated with ¹⁵N-enriched NO. Upon irradiation, the complex fac-[RuCl₃(NO)(P-N)] (1) does not exchange ¹⁴NO by ¹⁵NO, while complex mer,trans-[RuCl₃(NO)(P-N)] (2) does. Complex mer,trans-[RuCl₃(¹⁵NO)(P-N)] (2′) was obtained by direct reaction of mer,trans-[RuCl₃(NO)(P-N)] (2) with ¹⁵NO and the complex fac-[RuCl₃(¹⁵NO)(P-N)] (1′) was obtained by thermal-isomerization of mer,trans-[RuCl₃(¹⁵NO)(P-N)] (2′).DFT calculation on isomer energies, electronic spectra and electronic configuration were done. For complex (1) the HOMO orbital is essentially Ru (46.6%) and Cl (42.5%), for (2) Ru (57.4%) and Cl (39.0%) while LUMO orbital for (1) is based on NO (52.9%) and is less extent on Ru (38.4%), for (2) NO (58.2%) and Ru (31.5%).     

Synthesis and characterization of [Ru(NO)(bpp)Cl · 2H2O] [bpp = N,N′-bis(2-pyridinecarboxamide)-1,3-propane dianion] and [Ru(NO)(bpe)Cl · 2H2O] [bpe = N,N′-bis(2-pyridinecarboxamide)-1,2-ethane dianion]

Two ruthenium nitrosyl bis-pyridyl/biscarboxamido compounds, [Ru(NO)(bpp)Cl · 2H₂O] [bpp = N,N′-bis(2-pyridinecarboxamide)-1,3-propane dianion] and [Ru(NO)(bpe)Cl · 2H₂O] [bpe = N,N′-(bis-2-pyridinecarboxamide)-1,2-ethane dianion] have been characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C{¹H} NMR, and IR spectroscopies, electrospray ionizaton mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography.     

Novel [Ru(polypyridine)(CO)2Cl2] and [Ru(polypyridine)2(CO)Cl]-type complexes: Characterizing the effects of introducing azopyridyl ligands by electrochemical, spectroscopic and crystallographic measurements

The reaction of ruthenium carbonyl polymer ([Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_n) with azopyridyl compounds (2,2′-azobispyridine; apy or 2-phenylazopyridine; pap) generated new complexes, [Ru(azo)(CO)₂Cl₂] (azo = apy, pap). [Ru(apy)(CO)₂Cl₂] underwent photodecarbonylation to give a chloro-bridged dimer complex, whereas the corresponding pap complex ([Ru(pap)(CO)₂Cl₂]) was not converted to a dimer. The reactions of the chloro-bridged dimer containing the bpy ligand (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) with either apy or pap resulted in the formation of mixed polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(azo)(bpy)(CO)Cl]⁺. The novel complexes containing azo ligands were characterized by various spectroscopic measurements including the determination of X-ray crystallographic structures. Both [Ru(azo)(CO)₂Cl₂] complexes have two CO groups in a cis position to each other and two chlorides in a trans position. The azo groups are situated cis to the CO ligand in [Ru(azo)(bpy)(CO)Cl]⁺. All complexes have azo N-N bond lengths of 1.26-1.29 Å. The complexes exhibited azo-based two-electron reduction processes in electrochemical measurements. The effects of introducing azopyridyl ligands to the ruthenium carbonyl complexes were examined by ligand-based redox potentials, stretching frequencies and force constants of CO groups and bond parameters around Ru-CO moieties.     

Influence of ancillary ligand L in the nitric oxide photorelease by the [Ru(L)(tpy)NO] complex and its vasodilator activity based on visible light irradiation

The photochemical and pharmacological studies of the novel [Ru(L)(tpy)NO]³⁺ L = bpy (2,2′-bipyridine), NH · NHq (quinonediimine) and NH₂.NH₂cat (o-phenylenediamine) were investigated in aqueous medium. The synthesized nitrosyl ruthenium complexes showed nitric oxide (NO) release under light irradiation at 355 nm for [Ru(L)(tpy)NO]³⁺ complex with quantum yield of 0.14 ± 0.02, 0.47 ± 0.03 and 0.46 ± 0.02 mol Einstein⁻¹ for L = bpy, NH · NHq and NH₂ · NH₂cat, respectively, and 0.0065 ± 0.001 mol Einstein⁻¹ for light irradiation at 532 nm for [Ru(NH · NHq)(tpy)NO]³⁺ complex. The photochemical pathway at 355 nm light irradiation was described as a multi-step mechanism, although at 532 nm it was better attributed to a photo-induced electron transfer. The vasorelaxation induced by NO release produced by light irradiation in visible region from physiological solution of [Ru(NH · NHq)(tpy)NO]³⁺ complex was evaluated and compared with sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The results showed very similar vasodilator power between both species.     

An improved synthesis, crystal structures, and metallochromism of salts of [Ru(tolyl-terpy)(CN)3]

The previously reported complex [Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃]⁻ [ttpy = 4′(p-tolyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine] is conveniently synthesised by reaction of ttpy with Ru(dmso)₄Cl₂ to give [Ru(ttpy)(dmso)Cl₂], which reacts in turn with KCN in aqueous ethanol to afford [Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃]⁻ which was isolated and crystallographically characterised as both its (PPN)⁺ and K⁺ salts. The K⁺ salt contains clusters containing three complex anions and three K⁺ cations connected by end-on and side-on cyanide ligation to the K⁺ ions. The solution speciation behaviour of [Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃]⁻ was investigated with both Zn²⁺ and K⁺ salts in MeCN, a solvent sufficiently non-competitive to allow the added metal cations to associate with the complex anion via the externally-directed cyanide lone pairs. UV-Vis spectroscopic titration of (PPN)[Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃] with Zn(ClO₄)₂ showed a blue shift of 2900 cm⁻¹ in the ¹MLCT absorption manifold due to the ‘metallochromism’ effect; a series of distinct binding events could be discerned corresponding to formation of 4:1, 1:1 and then 1:3 anion:cation adducts, all with high formation constants, as the titration proceeded. In contrast titration of (PPN)[Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃] with the more weakly Lewis-acidic KPF₆ resulted in a much smaller blue-shift of the ¹MLCT absorptions, and the titration data corresponded to formation of 1:1 and then 2:1 cation:anion adducts with weaker stepwise association constants of the order of 10⁴ and then 10³ M⁻¹. Although association of [Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃]⁻ resulted in a blue-shift of the ¹MLCT absorptions, the luminescence was steadily quenched, as raising the ³MLCT level makes radiationless decay via a low-lying ³MC state possible.     

Redox and catalytic properties of alkoxides based on tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borato tungsten nitrosyls

Previously we reported on the catalytic properties of species based on the {Mo(NO)(Tp^Me2)O₂} moiety in the cathodic reduction of chloroform. Here, we have performed cyclic voltammetry and spectroscopic studies of the tungsten bis-alkoxide [W(NO)(Tp^Me2)(OEt)₂], a novel chelate [W(NO)(Tp^Me2)O(CH₂)₄O], and a mono-alkoxide [W(NO)(Tp^Me2)Cl(OEt)] [Tp^Me2 = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate]. All these complexes efficiently catalyse the cathodic reduction of chloroform which proceeds even at ca. −1.77 V versus Fc⁺/Fc in the presence of the chloro(ethoxy) complex. The chelate complex exhibits a quasi-reversible one-electron reduction at a potential 180 mV more anodic than its bis(ethoxy) counterpart. The UV-Vis spectrum of the former complex shows a red-shifted band (by 70 nm) in the visible region when compared with the latter.     

The relationship between the structures of periphery ligands and the DNA binding mode of [Ru(II)(1,10-phenanthroline)(L1L2)dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine](n+) (L1=Cl or pyridine and L2=pyridine, n=1,2)

The binding modes of the [Ru(II)(1,10-phenanthroline)(L₁L₂) dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine]²⁺ {[Ru(phen)(py) Cl dppz]⁺ (L₁ = Cl, L₂ = pyridine) and ([Ru(phen)(py)₂dppz]²⁺ (L₁ = L₂ = pyridine)} to native DNA is compared to that of the [Ru(II)(1,10-phenanthroline)₂dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine]²⁺ complex ([Ru(phen)₂dppz]²⁺) by various spectroscopic and hydrodynamic methods including electric absorption, linear dichroism (LD), fluorescence spectroscopy, and viscometric titration. All measured properties, including red-shift and hypochromism in the dppz absorption band, nearly perpendicular molecular plane of the dppz ligand with respect to the local DNA helix axis, prohibition of the ethidium binding, the light switch effect and binding stoichiometry, increase in the viscosity upon binding to DNA, increase in the melting temperature are in agreement with classical intercalation of dppz ligand of the [Ru(phen)₂dppz]²⁺ complex, in which both phenanthroline ligand anchored to the DNA phosphate groups by electrostatic interaction. [Ru(phen)(py)₂ dppz]²⁺ and [Ru(phen)(py) Cl dppz]⁺ complexes had one of the phenanthroline ligand replaced by either two pyridine ligands or one pyridine plus a chlorine ion. They exhibited similar protection from water molecules, interaction with DNA bases, and occupying site that is common with ethidium. The dppz ligand of these two Ru(II) complex were greatly tilted relative to the DNA helix axis, suggesting that the dppz ligand resides inside the DNA and is not perpendicular relative to the DNA helix axis. These observation suggest that anchoring the [Ru(phen)₂dppz]²⁺complex by both phenanthroline is essential for the dppz ligand to be classically intercalated between DNA base-pairs.     

Photoirradiation reactions and crystal structures of two geometrical isomers of [Ru(OAc)(2cqn)2NO] (H2cqn=2-chloro-8-quinolinol)

The photoirradiation reactions of two geometrical isomers (cis-1 and cis-2) of [Ru(OAc)(2cqn)₂NO] (H2cqn=2-chloro-8-quinolinol) were studied. Cis-2 [Ru(OAc)(2cqn)₂NO] (2) photochemically isomerized to cis-1 [Ru(OAc)(2cqn)₂NO] (1) in CH₂Cl₂ or DMSO using an Xe lamp as a light source and the reaction was irreversible. The 2 to 1 isomerization coexisting with ¹⁵NO gas and its evolution of the ¹H NMR spectra showed that the dissociation and recombination of both the NO and the acetate ion involve in the isomerization. On the other hand, 1 did not isomerize but the NO ligand exchanged with ¹⁵NO. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

[RuIII(medtra)(H2O)] (medtra = N-methylethylenediaminetriacetate) complex – A highly efficient NO inhibitor with low toxicity

Stopped-flow kinetic measurements were used to compare the reactivities of [Ru(medtra)(H₂O)] (medtra³⁻ = N-methylethylenediaminetriacetate) (1) and [Ru(hedtra)(H₂O)] (2) (hedtra³⁻ = N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetate) with NO in aqueous solution at 15 °C, pH 7.2 (phosphate buffer). The measured second-order rate constants (3 × 10³ and 6 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for 1 and 2, respectively) are three to four order of magnitudes lower than that for the reaction between [Ru^III(edta)(H₂O)]⁻ (3) with NO. However, NO scavenging studies of complexes 1–3, conducted by measuring the difference in nitrite production between treated and untreated murine macrophage cells, revealed that despite being less kinetically reactive toward NO, the [Ru(medtra)(H₂O)] complex exhibited the highest NO scavenging ability and lowest toxicity of compounds 1–3.     

Studies on the reactions of ruthenium(II) substrates with tridentate (N,N,O) azo ligands

Reactions of 1-{[2-(arylazo)phenyl]iminomethyl}-2-phenol, HL_sal, 1, [where H represents the dissociable protons upon complexation and aryl groups of HL_sal are phenyl for HL¹_sal, p-methylphenyl for HL²_sal, and p-chlorophenyl for HL³_sal], ligands with Ru(H)(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)₃ afforded complexes of composition [(L_sal)Ru(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)] and (L_sal)₂Ru where the N,N,O donor tridentate (L_sal)⁻ ligands coordinated the metal centre facially and meridionally, respectively. Stepwise formation of [(L_sal)₂Ru] has been ascertained. Reaction of 1-{[2-(arylazo)phenyl]iminomethyl}-2-napthol, HL_nap, 2, [where H represents the dissociable protons upon complexation and aryl groups of HL_nap are phenyl for HL¹_nap, p-methylphenyl for HL²_nap, and p-chlorophenyl for HL³_nap], ligands with Ru(H)(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)₃ afforded exclusively the complexes of composition [(L_nap)Ru(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)], where N,N,O donor tridentate (L_nap)⁻ was facially coordinated. The ligand 1-{[2-(phenylazo)phenyl]aminomethyl}-2-phenol, HL, 3, was prepared by reducing the aldimine function of HL¹_sal. Reaction of HL with Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂ afforded new azosalen complex of Ru(III) in concert with regiospecific oxygenation of phenyl ring of HL. All the new ligands were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The complexes were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques and subsequently confirmed by the determination of X-ray structures of selected complexes.     

The trans-labilization of nitric oxide in RuII complexes by C-bound imidazoles

The synthesis, characterization and reactivity of trans-[NO(L)(NH₃)₄Ru]Cl₃ (L=imidazole, theophylline and caffeine) are presented. ¹H NMR spectroscopy indicates that the imidazole ligands are coordinated to the Ru^II through a carbon atom (imκ²_, 1,3Me₂Xanκ⁸ and 1,3,7Me₃Xanκ⁸). The nitrosyl stretching frequencies (ν_NO≅1913 cm⁻¹) suggest the coordinated nitrosyl has substantial NO⁺ character. The complexes undergo a single-electron reduction (E°≅−0.50 V versus Ag/AgCl), which involves the coordinated nitrosyl. Dissociation of NO^· in the reduced species is facilitated by the trans-imidazolylidene ligand. The lower than expected reduction potentials of these complexes may account for their inactivity in evoking neuronal firing in the hippocampus by releasing NO following reduction.     

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes with phosphine derivatives: Ruthenium-carbon bond labilization based on steric and electronic effects

Ruthenium phosphine complexes with a CO ligand [Ru(tpy)(PR₃)(CO)Cl]⁺ (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, R = Ph or p-tolyl), were prepared by introduction of CO gas to the corresponding dichloro complexes at room temperature. New carbonyl complexes were characterized by various methods including structural analyses. They were shown to release CO following the addition of several N-donors to form the corresponding substituted complexes. The kinetic data and structural results observed in this study indicated that the CO release reactions proceeded in an interchange mechanism. The molecular structures of [Ru(tpy)(PPh₃)(CO)Cl]PF₆, [Ru(tpy)(P(p-tolyl)₃)(CO)Cl]PF₆ and [Ru(tpy)(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)Cl]PF₆ were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of complexes containing [M(S2)2] fragments (M=Ru, Os; (S2)=1,2-benzenedithiolate (2−))

Subsequent addition of 1,2-benzenedithiol (S₂-H₂) and nBuLi to a solution of [Ru(NO)Cl₃ · xMeOH] in THF afforded exclusively the monomeric species NBu₄[Ru^II(NO)(S₂)₂] (1). Formation of dimeric (NBu₄)₂[Ru^II(NO)(S₂)₂]₂ (2) has been confirmed when the deprotonated ligand S₂-Li₂ was added to [Ru(NO)Cl₃ · xMeOH] and allowed to stir for 30 h. The monomer 1 undergoes aerial oxidation to give (NBu₄)₂[Ru^IV(S₂)₃] (3). The reaction between RuCl₃ · xH₂O and S₂-H₂ in the presence of NaOMe, afforded the dinulear Ru^III species (NMe₄)₂[Ru^III(S₂)₂]₂ (4). A modified method for the preparation of 1 is being employed to synthesize the osmium analogue NBu₄[Os(NO)(S₂)₂] (5) effectively. The solid state structures of 1, 2 and 3 were determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. A comparison of relevant bond distance data suggests that 1,2-benzenedithiolate acts as an “innocent” ligand.     

Hydrolysis study of the bifunctional antitumour compound RAPTA-C, [Ru(eta6-p-cymene)Cl2(pta)

The hydrolysis of [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂(PTA)] (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo-[3.3.1.1]decanephosphine; RAPTA-C) was studied using UV-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry and NMR spectroscopy. In analogy to in silico studies, [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl(H₂O)(PTA)]⁺ was found to be the most abundant hydrolysis product, although the dihydrolysed species [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(OH)(H₂O)(PTA)]⁺ and the dichloro compound are present. Rate constants for the different aquation and anation steps and the equilibrium constants were determined. Hydrolysis is suppressed at high chloride concentrations. These results have important implications on the mode of action of the RAPTA drug candidates.     

Synthesis, characterization and kinetic studies of the cis-[RuCl2(cyclen)] complex

We report here the synthesis, characterization and kinetic studies of cis-[RuCl₂(cyclen)]⁺ in aqueous solution, where cyclen is the macrocyclic ligand 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane. The complex releases one Cl⁻ producing cis-[RuCl(OH)(cyclen)]⁺ in aqueous solution at pH 4.60. The product of this reaction was characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrum in comparison to the synthesized cis-[RuCl(OH)(cyclen)](BF₄)·2H₂O. The electrochemical data showed that E_pc of the Ru(III/II) peak increases as the macrocycle ring size decreases and also when the trans conformation is changed to cis. The chloride affinity of Ru(III) depends on the macrocycle ring size since cis-[RuCl₂(cyclam)]⁺ (cyclam=1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) does not release chloride for at least 12 h. The overall effect between cyclam and cyclen reflects the fact that the electron involved in the reduction enters a nonbonding π-d orbital and its energy is affected by the macrocyclic ligand.     

Electronic structures and reactivity aspects of ruthenium-nitrosyls

Nitrosyl complexes with {Ru-NO}⁶ (4(ClO₄)₃) and {Ru-NO}⁷ (4(ClO₄)₂) configurations have been isolated in the selective molecular framework of [Ru(tpm)(pap)(NO)]ⁿ⁺ (tpm = tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane and pap = 2-phenylazopyridine). The DFT optimized structures of [Ru^II(tpm)(pap)(NO⁺)]³⁺ (4³⁺) and [Ru^II(tpm)(pap)(NO)]²⁺ (4²⁺) predict that the Ru-N-O groups in the complexes are in almost linear and bent geometries, respectively. In agreement with largely NO centered reduction a sizeable shift in ν(NO) frequency of 324 cm⁻¹ has been observed on moving from {Ru^II-NO⁺} state in 4³⁺ to {Ru^II-NO) state in 4²⁺. The DFT proposed NO centered spin in {Ru^II-NO) (4²⁺) (Mulliken spin-densities: 0.860 (NO) and 0.087 (Ru)) has been evidenced by its free radical EPR spectrum with g = 1.989. The strongly electrophilic {Ru^II-NO⁺} state in 4³⁺ (ν(NO): 1962 cm⁻¹) can be transformed to the corresponding complex (3⁺) in the presence of nucleophile, OH⁻ with k = 2.03 × 10⁻¹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 298 K in CH₃CN. On irradiation with light the acetonitrile solution of [Ru^II(tpm)(pap)(NO⁺)]³⁺ (4³⁺) undergoes facile photorelease of NO (k_NO, s⁻¹ = 0.1 × 10⁻¹ and t_1/2, s = 69.3) with the concomitant formation of the solvate [Ru^II(tpm)(pap)(CH₃CN)]²⁺ (2²⁺). The photoreleased NO can be trapped as an Mb-NO adduct.     

Oxidative addition of thiols to (CO)3Mo(μ-dppm)2Ru(CO)3 with formation of hydrido, bridged-thiolate complexes (dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2)

The room temperature reactions of RSH (R = Et, Ph) with (CO)₃Mo(μ-dppm)₂Ru(CO)₃ (1) in toluene yield (CO)₂Mo(μ-SR)(μ-CO)(μ-dppm)₂Ru(H)(CO) [R = Et (3); Ph (4)], which are characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopies and, in the case of 3, by X-ray crystallography. The complexes contain a trans,trans-Mo(μ-dppm)₂Ru unit with a bridging thiolate, a terminal hydride at the Ru, three terminal CO ligands (two at the Mo, and one at the Ru), and one semi-bridged CO closer to the Mo.     

Electrospray mass spectrometry of cis-[Ru(NO)Cl(bpy)2] (bpy=2,2-bipyridine): fragmentation from desolvated {[Ru(NO)Cl(bpy)2], Cl} ion pairs by electron transfer and internal Lewis base pathways

The electrospray mass spectrum (ESI-MS) of cis-[Ru(NO)Cl(bpy)₂]Cl₂ (bpy=2,2^′-bipyridine), obtained from 50% CH₃OH/50% H₂O as the mobile solvent, exhibited ruthenium-containing ions derived from a {[Ru^II(NO⁺)Cl(bpy)₂]²⁺, Cl⁻}⁺ ion pair (m/z=514) and [Ru^II(NO⁺)Cl(bpy)₂]²⁺ (m/z=239.5). [Ru^IIICl(bpy)₂]²⁺, from the loss of NO from the 239.5 ion, is detected at m/z=224.5. Only the m/z 514 ion pair is detected when 100% CH₃OH mobile solvent is used, but the presence of even small amounts of water prompted the additional detection of the m/z 239.5 and m/z 224.5 ions under tandem MS-MS conditions. Ruthenium-chloro-containing ions appear as a characteristic collection of eight main, and four lesser, intense ions created from combinations ¹⁰⁴Ru, ¹⁰²Ru, ¹⁰¹Ru, ⁹⁹Ru, ⁹⁸Ru, ⁹⁶Ru, ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl isotopes with minor contributions from ¹³C, etc. For convenience of discussion, only the most abundant m/z species are mentioned herein as representative of all the isotopically distributed ions.Four fragmentation channels are detectable from the m/z=514 chloride ion pair: (1) the loss of HCl (main channel; ca. 50% of fragmentation events), (2) the loss of NO (ca. 12% ), (3) the loss of bpy (minor pathway), and (4) the loss of Cl atom (ca. 38% ).Loss of NO from ion m/z 514 yields ion m/z 484, which is the precursor of ions m/z 448 (by loss of HCl), m/z 328 (by loss of bpy) and m/z 292 (by loss of HCl and bpy). Loss of HCl from ion m/z 514 generates ion m/z 478, [Ru^II(NO⁺)Cl(bpyH)(bpy-H)]⁺, deprotonated at the ortho C-H of one bpy ligand. In MS-MS experiments, the m/z 478 ion was established to undergo loss of NO, producing ion m/z 448, rejoining further fragmentation process for ion m/z 448 at this point. Loss of neutral bipyridine from m/z 514 in low yield produces ion m/z 358, which undergoes further loss of NO to form [RuCl₂(bpy)]⁺ ion (m/z=328). MS-MS “neutral loss of 30” spectra confirmed the NO loss events as part of the fragmentation sequence for all four pathways.A fourth species of m/z=479 from the “514” ion is obtained by an internal electron transfer from Cl⁻ of the ion pair, and loss of the resultant neutral Cl atom. The product [Ru^II(NO^·)Cl(bpy)₂]⁺ “479” fragment undergoes facile loss of NO to generate [Ru^IICl(bpy)₂]⁺ (m/z=449). Ion m/z 449 gives rise to ions m/z 413 (loss of HCl) and m/z 257(loss of HCl and bpy). MS-MS experiments confirm the neutral loss of Cl from the m/z 514 ion, and the formation of the m/z 449 ion via m/z 479 and m/z 514 parents. This pathway was not observed in a prior study for the related complex, [Ru(NO)Cl(dpaH)(dpa⁻)]⁺ (dpaH=2,2^′-dipyridylamine), which does not have an external Cl⁻ in an ion pair.