Arene–ruthenium complexes with ferrocene-derived ligands: Synthesis and characterization of complexes of the type [Ru(η6-arene)(NC5H4CH2NHOC-C5H4FeC5H5)Cl2] and [Ru(η6-arene)(NC3H3N(CH2)2O2C–C5H4FeC5H5)Cl2]

Arene–ruthenium complexes of general formula [Ru(η6-arene)(L)Cl2] where L = NC5H4CH2NHOC–C5H4FeC5H5, arene = p-iPrC6H4Me (1) or C6Me6 (2); L = NC3H3N(CH2)2O2C–C5H4FeC5H5, arene = p-iPrC6H4Me (3) or C6Me6 (4), and diruthenium–arene complexes of general formula [Ru(η6-arene)Cl2]2(L) where L = 1,1′-(NC5H4CH2NHOC)2-C5H4FeC5H4, arene = p-iPrC6H4Me (5) or C6Me6 (6); L = 1,1′-(NC3H3N(CH2)2O2C)2–C5H4FeC5H4, arene = p-iPrC6H4Me (7) or C6Me6 (8) have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of 1 and 3 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The in vitro anticancer activities of complexes 1–8 have been studied comparatively to the uncoordinated ligands. The complexes exhibit fairly low cytotoxicities in comparison to related ferrocene-derived arene–ruthenium complexes.

Graphical abstractA series of eight arene–ruthenium complexes containing ferrocene-derived ligands have been synthesized and characterized. The in vitro anticancer activities of these complexes have been studied comparatively to the uncoordinated ligands. The complexes exhibit fairly low cytotoxicities in comparison to related ferrocene-derived arene–ruthenium complexes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide