Academic literature on the topic 'Organoruthenium compounds'

Cholinesterases (ChEs) show increased activities in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and remain one of the main therapeutic targets for treatment of this neurodegenerative disorder. A library of organoruthenium(II) complexes was prepared to investigate the influence of their structural elements on inhibition of ChEs, and on another pharmacologically important group of enzymes, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Two groups of organoruthenium(II) compounds were considered: (i) organoruthenium(II) complexes with p-cymene as an arene ligand, and (ii) organoruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes as CO-releasing molecules. Eight organoruthenium complexes were screened for inhibitory activities against ChEs and GSTs of human and animal origins. Some compounds inhibited all of these enzymes at low micromolar concentrations, while others selectively inhibited either ChEs or GSTs. This study demonstrates the importance of the different structural elements of organoruthenium complexes for their inhibitory activities against ChEs and GSTs, and also proposes some interesting compounds for further preclinical testing as ChE or GST inhibitory drugs.

Varying the arene ligand on organoruthenium compounds induced the differential activation of ER stress pathways, leading to non-apoptotic programmed cell death and bypassing drug resistance mechanisms.

Hydroxypyr(id)ones are a pharmaceutically important class of compounds that have shown potential in diverse areas of drug discovery. We investigated the 3-hydroxy-4-pyridones 1a–1c and 3-hydroxy-4-thiopyridones 1d–1f as well as their Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl complexes 2a–2f, and report here the molecular structures of 1b and 1d as determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Detailed cell biological investigations revealed potent cytotoxic activity, in particular of the 3-hydroxy-4-thiopyridones 1d–1f, while the Ru complexes of both compound types were less potent, despite still showing antiproliferative activity in the low μM range. The compounds did not modulate the cell cycle distribution of cancer cells but were cytostatic in A549 and cytotoxic in NCI-H522 non-small lung cancer cells, among other effects on cancer cells.

Background: Currently ruthenium complexes are immerging as effective anticancer agents due to their less toxicity, better antiproliferative and antimetastatic activity, better stability in cellular environment and most importantly variable oxidation and co-ordination states of ruthenium allows binding this molecule with a variety of ligands. So in past few years researchers have shifted their interest towards organoruthenium complexes having good fluorescent profile that may be applicable for cancer theranostics. Nowadays, photodynamic therapy has become more acceptable because of its easy and effective approach towards killing cancer cells. Objective: Objective of this review article is to shed light on synthesis, characterization, stability and fluorescence studies of various ruthenium [Ru(II) and Ru(III)] complexes and different bioactivity studies conducted with the synthesized compounds to test their candidacy as potent chemotherapeutic agents. Methods: Various heterocyclic ligands containing N,O and S as heteroatom mainly were prepared and subjected to complexation with ruthenium-p-cymene moiety. In most cases [Ru(η6-p-cymene)(µ-Cl)Cl]2 was used as ruthenium precursor and the reactions were conducted in various alcohol medium such as methanol, ethanol or propanol. The synthesized complexes were characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, GC-MS, ESI-MS, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray crystallography methods. Fluorescence study and stability study were conducted accordingly using water, PBS buffer or DMSO. Stable compounds were considered for cell viability studies. To study the efficacy of the compounds in ROS generation as photosensitizers, in few cases, singlet oxygen quantum yields in presence of light were calculated. Suitable compounds were selected for in vitro & in vivo antiproliferative, anti-invasive activity studies. Result: Many newly synthesized compounds were found to have less IC50 compared to a standard drug cysplatin. Those compounds were also stable preferably in physiological conditions. Good fluorescence profile and ROS generation ability were observed for few compounds. Conclusion: Numerous ruthenium complexes were developed which can be used as cancer theranostic agents. Few molecules were synthesized as photosensitizers which were supposed to generate reactive singlet oxygen species in targeted cellular environment in presence of a particular type of light and thereby ceasing cancer cell growth.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder associated with severe dementia, progressive cognitive decline, and irreversible memory loss. Although its etiopathogenesis is still unclear, the aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides into supramolecular structures and their accumulation in the central nervous system play a critical role in the onset and progression of the disease. On such a premise, the inhibition of the early stages of Aβ aggregation is a potential prevention strategy for the treatment of AD. Since several natural occurring compounds, as well as metal-based molecules, showed promising inhibitory activities toward Aβ aggregation, we herein characterized the interaction of an organoruthenium derivative of curcumin with Aβ(1–40) and Aβ(1–42) peptides, and we evaluated its ability to inhibit the oligomerization/fibrillogenesis processes by combining in silico and in vitro methods. In general, besides being less toxic to neuronal cells, the derivative preserved the amyloid binding ability of the parent compound in terms of equilibrium dissociation constants but (most notably) was more effective both in retarding the formation and limiting the size of amyloid aggregates by virtue of a higher hindering effect on the amyloid–amyloid elongation surface. Additionally, the complex protected neuronal cells from amyloid toxicity.

This thesis work reports developments in the coordination chemistry of ruthenium porphyrin complexes, both in terms of the synthesis and chemistry of new compounds, as well as the study of the solution chemistry of some previously reported complexes. The synthesis, characterization and chemistry of ten new Ru(porp) coordination complexes in the oxidation states Ru[superscript]Ⅲ and Ru[superscript]Ⅳ containing halide (Br, CI) and other axial ligands (pyridine, CH₃CN, NH₃ and SbF₆) are described in this thesis. Some additional ten Ru(porp) complexes have been studied in situ. Measurement of the rate constants for forward and reverse reactions and the corresponding equilibrium constant by 'H NMR and UV/visible spectroscopy for the dissociation of PPh₃ ligand from Ru(OEP)L(PPh₃) (OEP is the octaethylporphyrinato dianion; L = CO, PPh₃) in C₇D₈ to generate the previously reported five-coordinate Ru(OEP)L complexes allowed for an estimation of the Ru-P bond strength (64 ± 9 kJ mol⁻¹) in these complexes. A study of PPh₃ dissociation from Ru(OEP)CO(PPh₃) in C₇D₈ and in CDC1₃ indicates that solvation effects play a major role, with CDC1₃ being more capable than C₇D₈ of solvating the Ru(OEP)CO complex. The presence of trace H₂0 in these systems was a major problem, and the coordination of H₂0 to Ru(OEP)L complexes to generate the in situ Ru(OEP)L(H₂0) complexes (L = CO, PPh₃) is described. The formation of Ru(OEP)L(H₂0) and the observed difference in the solvation of Ru(OEP)CO by C₇H₈ and CHC1₃ indicate that truly Five-coordinate species may not exist in solution. The outer-sphere oxidation of Ru [superscript]Ⅳ(OEP)PPh₃ by 0₂ to give [Ru [superscript]Ⅳ(OEP)OH]₂0 was shown to occur only in the presence of H₂0. Mechanistic studies on the previously reported reaction of HCI with [Ru(OEP)]₂ to generate Ru^(OEP)Cl₂ (C. Sishta, M.Sc.Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1986) show that solvent plays a major role in directing this oxidation reaction. A reaction stoichiometry of 4:1 between HCI and [Ru(OEP)]₂ in C₆D₆ or C₇D₈ showed that HCI itself was the oxidant and not trace Cl₂ in HCI, as thought previously. A range of HX acids having pK[subscript]a, values in the range 38 to less than -10 (HX = H₂, MeOH, H₂0, H₂S, CH₃COOH, C₆H₅COOH, HF, CF₃COOH, HN0₃, HBF₄, HCI. HBr, and HSbF₆) were tested for reactivity with [Ru(OEP)]₂in C₆D₆; the data showed that a strong acid (pK[subscript]a < ca. 0) was necessary to initiate reactivity. The complex Ru[superscript]Ⅳ(OEP)(SbF₆)₂ was generated in situ by reacting HSbF₆ with [Ru(OEP)]₂. In CH₂C1₂, a 1:1 stoichiometric reaction between HCI and [Ru(OEP)]₂ was observed, instantly fanning a mixture of products, tentatively formulated as Rura(OEP)H and [Ru[superscript]Ⅲ(OEP)]₂CHCl₂ based on spectroscopic data. The species proved impossible to separate. These same products were formed slowly by the reaction of [Ru(OEP)]₂ with CH₂C1₂ in the absence of HCI, and kinetic studies suggest that a direct reaction of [Ru(OEP)]₂ with CH₂C1₂ is likely, rather than reaction of [Ru(OEP)]₂ with impurities in CH₂C1₂. The product mixture generated Ru(OEP)Cl₂ upon further reaction with HCI, both in the absence and in the presence of air. The complex Ru[superscript]Ⅳ(OEP)(BF₄)₂ was generated in situ by an analogous reaction of aqueous HBF₄ with the product mixture. The required hydrogen-containing co-product from the reaction of HX (X = Br, CI) with [Ru(OEP)|₂ in C₇D₈ or CH₂C1₂ was not detected, but was shown not to be H₂. Oxidation of Ru(porp)(CH₃CN)₂ and Ru(OEP)py₂ (py = pyridine; porp = OEP, TMP (the dianion of tetramesitylporphyrin)) by gaseous HX (X = Br, CI) in the absence of air yielded Ru[superscript]Ⅳ(porp)X₂ complexes. The new compound Ru(TMP)Br₂ was synthesized by this method using the bis(acetonitrile) precursor, and was characterized by spectroscopy; the chloride analogue Ru(TMP)Cl₂ was generated in situ. The magnetic properties (susceptibility and moment) of Ru(OEP)Br₂ from 6 to 300 K are unlike those reported for ruthenium(IV) non-porphyrin complexes, and reveal a significant contribution from temperature-independent paramagnetism. The reaction of Ru(OEP)X₂ (X = Br, CI) with NH₃ gave the complexes Ru[superscript]Ⅲ(OEP)X(NH₃), which upon acidification under an inert atmosphere yielded the Rum(OEP)X compounds. These Ru111 complexes were characterized by spectroscopic techniques, and the solution chemistry of the five-coordinate species Ru(OEP)X was developed: the Ru[superscript]Ⅲ(OEP)X(CH₃CN) species were also characterized. Solvation of the five-coordinate species Ru(OEP)X (X = Br, CI) was observed in coordinating solvents to form the six-coordinate species Ru(OEP)X(solvent) (solvent = py, CH₃CN and MeOH). Estimates of the equilibrium constants for the association of these ligands to Ru(OEP)X were obtained from UV/visible titration experiments in CH₂C1₂. Similarly, the equilibrium constant for the association of Br to Ru(OEP)Br to generate in situ (n-Bu)₄N⁺[Ru[superscript]Ⅲ(OEP)Br⁺₂]", was measured. Disappointingly, the complexes Ru(OEP)X were shown not to catalyze the oxidation of organic substrates such as cyclohexene. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies of the complexes Ru(OEP)X₂ and Ru(OEP)X (X = Br, CI) showed that the Ru[superscript]Ⅳ/Ru[superscript]Ⅲ couple occurred at 480-460 mV and 950-870 mV vs. NHE, respectively, and that the probable reductant for the reaction of Ru(OEP)X₂ with NH₃ was NH₃ itself. A facile reduction of Ru(OEP)(SbF₆)₂ gave the complex Ru[superscript]Ⅲ(OEP)SbF₆, by a probable homolysis of the Ru-F bond. The outer-sphere oxidation of Ru(OEP)py₂ by air in the presence of HX acids gave the isolated or in situ characterized complexes [Ruin(OEP)py₂]+ X" (X = CI, Br, F, BF₄). Similar oxidation of Ru(OEP)(CH₃CN)₂ formed [Ru(OEP)(CH₃CN)₂]+ Br-. Electrochenucal studies showed that 0₂ in acidic media was capable of oxidizing the Ru(OEP)(solvent)₂ complexes (solvent = py, CH₃CN) to the Ru[superscript]Ⅲ complexes, presumably generating H0₂ .
Science, Faculty of
Chemistry, Department of
Graduate

This thesis describes two projects involving the organometallic chemistry of iron and ruthenium complexes with DMPE ligands [DMPE = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane]. The first study involves an investigation into the kinetics and mechanisms of OH bond activation reactions of [Fe(DMPE)2]. The second project involves an investigation into the synthesis of RuH2(DMPE)2, the formation and properties of trans-[RuH(n2-H2)(DMPE)2]*, and the reactions of RuH2(DMPE)2 with alkyl and aryl thiols. In Part I of this work, the kinetics of the cis/trans isomerization of FeH(C6H5)(DMPE)2 and FeD(C6D5)(DMPE)2 were measured by 31P NMR spectroscopy in pentane and THF. The isomerization reactions follow first-order reversible kinetics. FeH(C6H5)(DMPE)2 and FeD(C6D5)(DMPE)2 also undergo exchange with added arenes in a concerted fashion at the iron centre. The rate of exchange is comparable to the rate of isomerization. From the equilibrium constant for the exchange reaction, it was found that FeH(C6H5)(DMPE)2 is thermodynamically more stable than FeD(C6D5)(DMPE)2 by approximately 3 kJ mol'1 in pentane. FeH(C6H5)(DMPE)2 and FeD(C6D5)(DMPE)2 react with diethyl disulfide to give Fe(SEt)2(DMPE)2. The reaction proceeds via loss of benzene or benzene-d6 followed by addition of [Fe(DMPE)2] to the 8-8 bond of EtSSEt. By following the kinetics of the reactions of EtSSEt with FeH(C6H5)(DMPE)2 and FeD(C6D5)(DMPE)2 in THF separately, the rates of reductive elimination of benzene OH and GD bonds at 283 K were found to be 3.9 x 10‘ s-1 and 6.5 x 104 s-1 respectively. The inverse deuterium isotope effect (k”/kD = 0.6) can be rationalized by the presence of a n-benzene intermediate in the elimination reaction. In solution, the phenyl ring in cis'FeH(C6H5)(DMPE)2 assumes a fixed orientation and is constantly flipping at 240 K. During this work, it was discovered that [Fe(DMPE)2] is capable of catalyzing the hydrogenation of alkenes to alkanes under photochemical conditions. The hydrogenation reaction competes with a significantly slower dehydrogenation reaction. A quantitative analysis of the efficiency of [Fe(DMPE)2] as a hydrogenation catalyst was carried out. The hydrogenation of cyclopentene is faster than that of tenninal alkenes. A reaction cycle is proposed for the hydrogenation-dehydrogenation reactions mediated by Fe(DMPE)2 complexes. Treatment of an irradiated sample of FeH(cyclopenteny1)(DMPE)2 with dibromomethane afforded FeBr2(DMPE)2 and trans-[Fe(cyclopentenyl)Br(DMPE)2]Br.2H20 whose crystal structures are presented. In Part II, a synthesis of Rqu(DMPE)2 from trans-RuC12(DMPE)2 by reduction with sodium/Z-propanol is presented. Protonation of RuH2(DMPE)2 with weak organic acids such as methanol, ethanol and thiols affords the molecular hydrogen complex trans-[RuH(T]2-H2)(DMPE)2]+ which has a nZ-bound H2 ligand and a 6-bound hydride ligand. T1 measurements and 1JHD coupling in nZ-HD ligand confirm the 'non-classical' structure. Between 220 and 300 K, the molecular hydmgen complex continuously undergoes intermolecular exchange with the protonating solvent and all the rutheniumbound hydrides undergo intramolecular exchange. In methanol, a previously unreported five-coordinate ruthenium(II) complex, trans-[RuH(DMPE)2]+, exists in equilibn'um with the molecular hydrogen complex. Reactions of the ruthenium dihydride with alkyl- and arylthiols afford trans-monothiolate hydrides. Aromatic thiols react more rapidly than alkanethiols. The reaction is believed to proceed via protonation of the dihydride (by the acidic thiol group) to give the molecular hydrogen complex, followed by substitution of the 'r12-H2 ligand with the conjugate base of the thiol. The dithiolate complex trans-[Ru(SPh)2(DMPE)2] has been isolated and its X-ray crystal structure is presented. In dithiols, dithiaruthenocycles are not formed, which is in contrast with the formation of the iron analogues. Although protonation of RuH2(DMPE)2 with alcohols is facile, substitution of trans-[RuH(T]2-H2)(DMPE)2]* by alkoxide ions does not take place in the presence of thiolate ions.

The oxidation of three alkyl thioethers, phenol and 2-propanol by trans-dioxo ruthenium porphyrin species, and the synthesis, characterization and reactivity of several new ruthenium porphyrin complexes are described in this thesis. The trans-dioxo species Ru(Porp)(O)₂ [Porp= the dianions of 5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrin (TMP) and 5,10,15,20-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrin (OCP)] selectively oxidize diethyl-, di-n-butyl- and decylmethyl- sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxides at room temperature. The reaction is first order in [Ru] and in [thioether]. The second order rate constants for the first O-atom transfer from the Ru(TMP) system are: 7.54xl0⁻³, 1.23xl0⁻² and 1.14x10-¹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively for the three thioethers at 20.0 °C. The activation parameters for the O-atom transfer process are also determined: for Et₂S, ∆H‡= 58.3 kJ mol⁻¹ and ∆S‡= -86 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹; for nBu₂S, AH‡= 47.4 kJ mol⁻¹and ∆S‡= -120 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹; for DecMeS, ∆H‡= 56.5 kJ mo⁻¹ and ∆S‡= -70 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. A second order rate constant of 7.23xl0⁻²M⁻¹s⁻¹ is measured at 20.0 °C for the oxidation of Et₂S by Ru(OCP)(O)₂. The intermediates Ru(TMP)(OSEt₂)₂, Ru(TMP)(OSEt₂)(OSEt₂) and the final product Ru(TMP)(0SEt₂)₂,where O and S refer to O- and S- bonded sulfoxide, are observed by ¹H nmr, and the last mentioned is isolated and characterized. A mechanism is proposed, based on electrophilic attack of the O=Ru=O moiety on :SR₂ to form bis-O-bonded species which subsequently isomerizes to bis-S-bonded species via mixed species. The Ru(TMP)(O)₂/Et₂S/O₂ system at room temperature is catalytic in complex, but produces only about 5 turnovers due to poisoning of the catalyst by the reaction product. The same system at >65 °C gives higher turnovers, but now porphyrin ligand degradation is observed, perhaps via oxidation by the O=Ru=O moiety. The Ru(OCP)(0)₂/Et₂S/O₂ system at 100 °C catalytically oxidizes Et₂S to Et₂SO and Et₂SO₂ (in ~ 4:1 ratio) and the porphyrin ligand does not undergo oxidative destruction. The Ru(TMP)(O)₂ species reacts with phenol via an observed intermediate Ru(TMP)(p-O(H)C₆H₄OH)₂ to form Ru(IV)(TMP)(OC₆H₄OH)₂, a paramagnetic (S=l) complex which is isolated and characterized. The oxidation reaction is first order in both [Ru] and [phenol] with a second order rate constant 6.90x10⁻² M⁻¹ s⁻¹at 20.0 °C. A mechanism based on electrophilic attack by the O=Ru=O moiety on the aryl ring followed by proton migration is proposed. This mechanism also explains the formation of some free para-benzoquinone and 1 equivalent of water per Ru. No ortho-benzoquinone is formed in the reaction. Preliminary ⁻H nmr studies reveal that 2-propanol is oxidized to acetone by Ru(TMP)(O)₂. A paramagnetic species (S= 1) was isolated as the only porphyrin product but not characterized. A range of novel ruthenium porphyrin complexes is also prepared. The reaction of acetylene with the four-coordinate Ru(TMP) species forms [Ru(TMP)]₂(u-C₂H₂), the first reported organometallic ruthenium porphyrin dimer. The complexes, Ru(TMP)(PhCCPh) and Ru(TMP)(PhCCH), the first π-bonded alkyne species in ruthenium porphyrin chemistry, are characterized in solution. The π-bonded alkene complexes Ru(TMP)(CH₂CH₂) OPrOH).(iPrOH) and Ru(TMP)(CH₂CH₂) are isolated and characterized, while the Ru(TMP)(cyclohexene) complex is characterized in situ. The Ru(TMP)(OSEt₂)₂ complex is isolated also by the reaction of Ru(TMP)(CH₃CN)₂with Et₂SO. The Ru(TMP)(L)₂ complexes, L= OSMe₂, OSnPr₂ and OSnBu₂ are also prepared via the above method and characterized. Some new Ru(OCP) complexes, (the monocarbonyl, the bis-acetonitrile and the dioxo- species) are also isolated and characterized.
Science, Faculty of
Chemistry, Department of
Graduate