Synthesis of Tumor-Inhibiting Complex Salts Containing the Anion transTetrachlorobis(indazole)ruthenate(III) and Crystal Structure of the Tetraphenylphosphonium Salt

Indazolium trans-tetrachlorobis(indazole)ruthenate(III) exhibits excellent results against different tumor models in vitro and in vivo. To improve the water solubility necessary for the introduction of this tumor-inhibiting compound into clinical trials, we synthesized the corresponding sodium salt in a two-step ion exchange via the tetramethylammonium salt. The sodium salt shows a 35-fold higher solubility in water relative to the indazolium salt. We also synthesized the n-butylammonium, n-octylammonium, and tetraphenylphosphonium salts, all of which showed improved solubility in organic solvents. The X-ray crystal structure of the latter could be solved, proving the trans configuration of the complex anion. In spite of the paramagnetic RuIII center an assignement of the coordinated indazole protons could be made with the help of a COSY experiment.