Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of [RuCp(PPh3)2(HdmoPTA)](OSO2CF3)2 (HdmoPTA = 3,7-H-3,7-Dimethyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane)

Anticancer Potential of Diruthenium Complexes with Bridging Hydrocarbyl Ligands from Bioactive Alkynols

Diruthenacyclopentenone complexes of the general composition [Ru2Cp2(CO)2{μ-η1:η3-CH═C(C(OH)(R))C(═O)}] (2a-c; Cp = η5-C5H5) were synthesized in 94-96% yields from the reactions of [Ru2Cp2(CO)2{μ-η1:η3-C(Ph)═C(Ph)C(═O)}] (1) with 1-ethynylcyclopentanol, 17α-ethynylestradiol, and 17-ethynyltestosterone, respectively, in toluene at reflux. Protonation of 2a-c by HBF4 afforded the corresponding allenyl derivatives [Ru2Cp2(CO)3{μ-η1:η2-CH═C═R}]BF4 (3a-c) in 85-93% yields. All products were thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and IR, UV-vis, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, 2a and 3a were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and the single-crystal diffraction method was employed to establish the X-ray structures of 2b and 3a. The cytotoxicity in vitro of 2b and 3a-c was evaluated against nine human cancer cell lines (A2780, A2780R, MCF-7, HOS, A549, PANC-1, Caco-2, PC-3, and HeLa), while the selectivity was assessed on normal human lung fibroblast (MRC-5). Overall, complexes exert stronger cytotoxicity than cisplatin, and 3b (comprising 17α-estradiol derived ligand) emerged as the best-performing complex. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry cellular uptake studies in A2780 cells revealed a higher level of internalization for 3b and 3c compared to 2b, 3a, and the reference compound RAPTA-C. Experiments conducted on A2780 cells demonstrated a noteworthy impact of 3a and 3b on the cell cycle, leading to the majority of the cells being arrested in the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, 3a moderately induced apoptosis and oxidative stress, while 3b triggered autophagy and mitochondrial membrane potential depletion.

Complexing Properties of Synthesized 1,3,5-Triaza-7-Phosphaadamantane Derivatives Towards Some Lanthanides and Transition Metal Cations With Significant Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

The synthesis of new water-soluble N-alkylated derivatives of 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane is presented. Ru(PPh3)2Cl2 has been used to react with 1-(4-nitrobenzyl)-3,5-triaza-1-azonia-7-phosphaadamantane bromide (PTAR). By using elemental analysis, NMR, and IR spectroscopy, the obtained compounds were identified. The UV-visible absorption spectroscopy has been used to monitor the complexation of various transition metal cations. Studies on conductivity have been utilized to validate the complexes' stoichiometries. Using the disc diffusion method, five bacteria strains were used for the study of the antimicrobial activity of compounds 1-3. All tested pathogens, including M luteus LB 141107, were found to have strong biologic activity against the compounds tested in this study. Additionally, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) has been tested for its ability to scavenge hydrogen peroxide and free radicals. According to our results, these compounds exhibit excellent radical scavenging properties.

Evaluation of the Antiproliferative Properties of CpRu Complexes Containing N-Methylated Triazaphosphaadamantane Derivatives

Piano-stool-{CpRu} complexes containing 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA), N-methyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (mPTA), and 3,7-dimethyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabyciclo[3.3.1]nonane (dmoPTA) were evaluated as drugs against breast cancer. The evaluated compounds include two new examples of this family, the complexes [RuCp(DMSO-κS)(HdmoPTA)(PPh3)](CF3SO3)2 (8) and [RuCp(PPh3)2-µ-dmoPTA-1κP-2κ2N,N'-PdCl2](CF3SO3) (11), which have been synthesized and characterized by NMR, IR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The cytotoxic activity of compounds was evaluated against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, and the three most active complexes were further tested against the hormone-dependent MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Their cell death mechanism and ruthenium uptake were also evaluated, as well as their binding ability to human serum albumin.

Insights into the κ-P,N Coordination of 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phosphaadamantane and Derivatives: κ-P,N-Heterometallic Complexes and a 15N Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Survey

Complexes {[(PTA)₂CpRu-μ-CN-1κC:2κ²N-RuCp(PTA)₂-ZnCl₃]}·2DMSO (13) {[ZnCl₂(H₂O)]-(PTA-1κP:2κ²N)(PTA)CpRu-μ-CN-1κC:2κ²N-RuCp(PTA)(PTA-1κP:2κ²N)-[ZnCl₂(H₂O)]}Cl (14), [RuCp(HdmoPTA)(PPh₃)(PTA)](CF₃SO₃)₂ (20), [RuCp(HdmoPTA)(HPTA)(PPh₃)](CF₃SO₃)₃ (21), and [RuCp(dmoPTA)(PPh₃)(PTA)](CF₃SO₃) (22) were obtained and characterized, and their crystal structure together with that of the previously published complex 18 is reported. The behavior of the 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]decane (PTA) and 3,7-dimethyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (dmoPTA) ligands against protonation and κN-coordination is discussed, on the basis of ¹⁵N nuclear magnetic resonance data collected on 22 different compounds, including PTA (1), HdmoPTA (7H), and some common derivatives as free ligands (2–6 and 8), along with mono- and polymetallic complexes containing PTA and/or HdmoPTA (9–22). ¹⁵N detection via ¹H–¹⁵N heteronuclear multiple bond correlation allowed the construction of a small library of ¹⁵N chemical shifts that shed light on important features regarding κN-coordination in PTA and its derivatives.

To shed light on the behavior of the triazaphosphines 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]decane (PTA) and 3,7-dimethyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (dmoPTA) upon κN coordination and N protonation, the ¹⁵N chemical shifts of 22 compounds, including PTA and a representative variety of its derivatives, piano-stool complexes, were collected by ¹H−¹⁵N heteronuclear multiple bond correlation nuclear magnetic resonance. New heterometallic complexes containing PTA were also synthesized and fully characterized.

The Significant Influence of a Second Metal on the Antiproliferative Properties of the Complex [Ru(η6 -C10 H14 )(Cl2 )(dmoPTA)]

Complexes [Ru(η⁶−C₁₀H₁₄)(Cl₂)(HdmoPTA)](OSO₂CF₃) (1), [Ru(η⁶−C₁₀H₁₄)(Cl₂)(dmoPTA)] (2) and [Ru(η⁶−C₁₀H₁₄)(Cl₂)‐μ‐dmoPTA‐1κP:2κ²N,N’‐MCl₂] (M=Zn (3), Co (4), Ni (5), dmoPTA=3,7‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐triaza‐5‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques. The crystal structures of 1, 3 and 5 were obtained by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The antiproliferative activity of the complexes was evaluated against colon cancer cell line Caco‐2/TC7 by using the MTT protocol. The monometallic ruthenium complexes 1 and 2 were found to be inactive, but the bimetallic complexes 3, 4 and 5 display an increased activity (IC₅₀3: 9.07±0.27, 4: 5.40±0.19, 5: 7.15±0.30 μM) compared to cisplatin (IC₅₀=45.6±8.08 μM). Importantly, no reduction in normal cell viability was observed in the presence of the complexes. Experiments targeted to obtain information on the possible action mechanism of the complexes, such as cell cycle, ROS and gene expression studies, were performed. The results showed that the complexes display different properties and action mechanism depending on the nature of metal, M, bonded to the CH₃N_dmoPTA atoms.

Ruthenium(II) 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane complexes of curcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin: Synthesis, characterization, and biological activity

Two cationic ruthenium(II) 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane ([9]aneS₃) complexes of curcumin (curcH) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (bdcurcH), namely [Ru(curc)(dmso-S)([9]aneS₃)]Cl (1) and [Ru(bdcurc)(dmso-S)([9]aneS₃)]Cl (2) were prepared from the [RuCl₂(dmso-S)([9]-aneS₃)] precursor and structurally characterized, both in solution and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. The corresponding PTA complexes [Ru(curc)(PTA)([9]aneS₃)]Cl (3) and [Ru(bdcurc)(PTA)([9]aneS₃)]Cl (4) have been also synthesized and characterized (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane). Bioinorganic studies relying on mass spectrometry were performed on complexes 1-4 to assess their interactions with the model protein lysozyme. Overall, a rather limited reactivity with lysozyme was highlighted accompanied by a modest cytotoxic potency against three representative cancer cell lines. The moderate pharmacological activity is likely connected to the relatively high stability of these complexes.

Zinc Complexes with Nitrogen Donor Ligands as Anticancer Agents

The search for anticancer metal-based drugs alternative to platinum derivatives could not exclude zinc derivatives due to the importance of this metal for the correct functioning of the human body. Zinc, the second most abundant trace element in the human body, is one of the most important micro-elements essential for human physiology. Its ubiquity in thousands of proteins and enzymes is related to its chemical features, in particular its lack of redox activity and its ability to support different coordination geometries and to promote fast ligands exchange. Analogously to other trace elements, the impairment of its homeostasis can lead to various diseases and in some cases can be also related to cancer development. However, in addition to its physiological role, zinc can have beneficial therapeutic and preventive effects on infectious diseases and, compared to other metal-based drugs, Zn(II) complexes generally exert lower toxicity and offer few side effects. Zinc derivatives have been proposed as antitumor agents and, among the great number of zinc coordination complexes which have been described so far, this review focuses on the design, synthesis and biological studies of zinc complexes comprising N-donor ligands and that have been reported within the last five years.

Synthesis, characterization, HSA/DNA interactions and antitumor activity of new [Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2(L)] complexes

Three new ruthenium(II) complexes were synthesized from different substituted isothiazole ligands 5-(methylamino)-3-pyrrolidine-1-ylisothiazole-4-carbonitrile (1), 5-(methylamino)-3-(4-methylpiperazine-1-yl)isothiazole-4-carbonitrile (2) and 5-(methylamino)-3-morpholine-4-ylisothiazole-4-carbonitrile (3): [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂(L1)]·H₂O (4), [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂(L2)] (5) and [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂(L3)] (6). All complexes were characterized by IR, UV-Vis, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of all ligands and complexes 4 and 6 were determined by an X-ray. The results of the interactions of CT-DNA (calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid) and HSA (human serum albumin) with ruthenium (II) complexes reveal that complex 4 binds well to CT-DNA and HSA. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the reaction between complex and HSA confirmed the associative mode of interaction. The results of Quantum mechanics (QM) modelling and docking experiments toward DNA dodecamer and HSA support the strongest binding of the complex 4 to DNA major groove, as well as its binding to IIa domain of HSA with the lowest ΔG energy, which agrees with the solution studies. The modified GOLD docking results are indicative for Ru(p-cymene)LCl··(HSA··GLU292) binding and GOLD/MOPAC(QM) docking/modelling of DNA/Ligand (Ru(II)-N(7)dG7) covalent binding. The cytotoxic activity of compounds was evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. Neither of the tested compounds shows activity against a healthy MRC-5 cell line while the MCF-7 cell line is the most sensitive to all. Compounds 3, 4 and 5 were about two times more active than cisplatin, while the antiproliferative activity of 6 was almost the same as with cisplatin. Flow cytometry analysis showed the apoptotic death of the cells with a cell cycle arrest in the subG1 phase.

Hydrosoluble Cu(i)-DAPTA complexes: synthesis, characterization, luminescence thermochromism and catalytic activity for microwave-assisted three-component azide-alkyne cycloaddition click reaction

New hydrosoluble and air-stable Cu(i) halide compounds, viz. [CuX(DAPTA)3] (1) and (2), and [Cu(μ-X)(DAPTA)2]2 (3) and (4) (X = Br or I, in this order), have been prepared by reacting Cu(i) halide (i.e., bromide or iodide) with 3,7-diacetyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (DAPTA) under mild conditions. They represent the first examples of Cu(i) halide complexes bearing the DAPTA ligand, which have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H, 13C{1H} and 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopies, ESI-MS+ and, for 4, also by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analyses. Complexes 1-4 are efficient catalysts for the one-pot microwave assisted three-component (terminal alkyne, organic halide and NaN3) Huisgen cycloaddition reaction in aqueous media to afford the corresponding disubstituted triazoles. The catalysis proceeds with a broad alkyne substrate scope and according to "click rules". Photophysical studies of compound 4 showed an unusual reversible thermochromic behaviour exhibiting a blue emission at 298 K due to the halide-to-ligand charge transfer (3XLCT) and a red emission at 77 K because of the {Cu2I2} unit.

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity of arene–ruthenium(ii) complexes with acylpyrazolones functionalized with aromatic groups in the acyl moiety

DFT and NMR studies confirm the existence of two conformers in solution for complexes with bulky aromatic groups.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of ruthenium flavanol complexes against breast cancer

Four Ru(II) DMSO complexes (M1R-M4R) having substituted flavones viz. 3-Hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (HL1), 3-Hydroxy-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (HL2), 3-Hydroxy-2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (HL3) and 3-Hydroxy-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (HL4) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR spectroscopies and ESI-MS. The molecular structures of the complexes were investigated by integrated spectroscopic and computational techniques (DFT). Both ligands as well as their complexes were screened for anticancer activities against breast cancer cell lines MCF-7. Cytotoxicity was assayed by MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay. All ligands and their complexes exhibited significant cytotoxic potential of 5-40μM concentration at incubation period of 24h. The cell cytotoxicity increased significantly in a concentration-dependent manner. In this series of compounds, HL2 (IC₅₀ 17.2μM) and its complex M2R (IC₅₀ 16μM) induced the highest cytotoxicity.

Water and catalytic isomerization of linear allylic alcohols by [RuCp(H2O-κO)(PTA)2]+(PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane)

The water soluble complex [RuCp(H₂O-κO)(PTA)₂]⁺showed to be an excellent catalyst for the isomerization of allylic alcohols from 3-buten-2-ol to 1-octen-3-ol in water, which was mandatory for obtaining the best conversion.

Enhancement of the antiproliferative activity of [RuCp(PPh3)2(dmoPTA-1κP)]+via its coordination to one {CoCl2} unit: synthesis, crystal structure and properties of [RuCp(PPh3)2-μ-dmoPTA-1κP:2κ2N,N′-CoCl2](OTf)·0.25H2O

Antiproliferative activity up to 354-fold for WiDr-colon cells than cisplatin.