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

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.