Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity of cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes containing carbohydrate-derived ligands

We here report the synthesis of new cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes of general formula [(η5-C5H5)Ru(PP)(L)]+ (PP = two triphenylphosphine, 1,2-diphenylphosphinoethane), isolated as PF 6 − salts, with L being galactose and fructose carbohydrate derivative ligands, N-coordinated to the metal centre by nitrile, tetrazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole moieties. The ten new organometallic compounds were fully characterized by FT-IR, 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectroscopies, and by elemental analysis. The cytotoxicity of the ruthenium(II) compounds was tested on HeLa cancer cells (cervical carcinoma), unveiling IC50 values in the low micromolar range.