Synthesis, X-ray structure, electrochemical properties and cytotoxic effects of new arene ruthenium(II) complexes

•Organoruthenium(II) complexes containing flavone and chromone derivatives have been synthesized.•The X-ray analysis confirmed an octahedral coordination geometry and monodentate coordination manner.•The electrochemical properties evaluated by cyclic voltammetry showed irreversible one electron-transfer process.•The cytotoxicity of all compounds has been evaluated on three melanoma and one leukemic cell lines.

A series of novel half-sandwich organoruthenium(II) complexes with the general formula [(η6-arene)Ru(L)Cl2] (where L = flavone, chromone or benzofuranone derivatives) have been synthesized. All the ligands in the reaction with [(η6-p-cymene)RuCl)2(μ-Cl)2] form monodentate compounds, which were fully characterized by elemental analysis, MS, UV–Vis, IR and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of one of the complexes [(η6-p-cymene)Ru(7-amino-3H-benzofuran-1-one-κ1-N)Cl2] was determined by X-ray crystallography. The redox properties of the complexes were monitored by cyclic voltammetry. The cytotoxicity of all obtained compounds has also been evaluated on several melanoma and leukemic cell lines.

Graphical abstractNovel organoruthenium(II) complexes with the general formula [(η6-arene)Ru(L)Cl2] (where L = flavone, chromone or benzofuranone derivatives) have been obtained. The complexes were assessed by X-ray crystallography, cyclic voltammetry and viability assays against melanoma and leukemic cell lines.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide