Ruthenium arene complexes as HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitors

► Two models of HIV integrase inhibitors Elvitegravir and Raltegravir are synthesized. ► The two models are HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitors, as their progenitors. ► Ru(arene) complexes with the two model ligands are synthesized and characterized. ► The X-ray diffraction structures of one ligand and of two Ru complexes are discussed. ► Complexes are active at micromolar level in anti-HIV-1 integrase enzymatic assays.