NMR kinetic studies of the interactions between [Ru(terpy)(bipy)(H2O)]2+ and some sulfur-donor ligands

Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl-Based Photocages for an Anticancer Phytochemical Diallyl Sulfide: Comparative Dark and Photoreactivity Studies of Caged and Precursor Uncaged Complexes

The spatiotemporal control over the drug's action offered by ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes by the selective activation of the prodrug inside the tumor has beaconed toward much-desired selectivity issues in cancer chemotherapy. The photocaging of anticancer bioactive ligands attached synergistically with cytotoxic Ru(II) polypyridyl cores and selective release thereof in cancer cells are a promising modality for more effective drug action. Diallyl sulfide (DAS) naturally found in garlic has anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Herein, we designed two Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes to cage DAS having a thioether-based donor site. For in-depth photocaging studies, we compared the reactivity of the DAS-caged compounds with the uncaged Ru(II)-complexes with the general formula [Ru(ttp)(NN)(L)]+/2+. Here, in the first series, ttp = p-tolyl terpyridine, NN = phen (1,10-phenanthroline), and L = Cl- (1-Cl) and H2O (1-H2O), while for the second series, NN = dpq (pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline), and L = Cl- (2-Cl) and H2O (2-H2O). The reaction of DAS with 1-H2O and 2-H2O yielded the caged complexes [Ru(ttp)(NN)(DAS)](PF6)2, i.e., 1-DAS and 2-DAS, respectively. The complexes were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography, and the solution-state characterization was done by 1H NMR and ESI-MS studies. Photoinduced release of DAS from the Ru(II) core was monitored by 1H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. When irradiated with a 470 nm blue LED in DMSO, the photosubstitution quantum yields (Φ) of 0.035 and 0.057 were observed for 1-DAS and 2-DAS, respectively. Intriguing solution-state speciation and kinetic behaviors of the uncaged and caged Ru(II)-complexes emerged from 1H NMR studies in the dark, and they are depicted in this work. The caged 1-DAS and 2-DAS complexes remained mostly structurally intact for a reasonably long period in DMSO. The uncaged 1-Cl and 2-Cl complexes, although did not undergo substitution in only DMSO but in the 10% DMSO/H2O mixture, completely converted to the corresponding DMSO-adduct within 16 h. Toward gaining insights into the reactivity with the biological targets, we observed that 1-Cl upon hydrolysis formed an adduct with 5'-GMP, while a small amount of GSSG-adduct was observed when 1-Cl was reacted with GSH in H2O at 323 K. 1-Cl after hydrolysis reacted with l-methionine, although the rate was slightly slower compared with that with DMSO, suggesting varying reaction kinetics with different sulfur-based linkages. Although 1-H2O reacted with sulfoxide and thioether ligands at room temperature, the rate was much faster at higher temperatures obviously, and thiol-based systems needed higher thermal energy for conjugation. Overall, these studies provide insight for thoughtful design of new generation Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes for caging suitable bioactive organic molecules.

A Personal Account on Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms

The presented Review is focused on the latest research in the field of inorganic chemistry performed by the van Eldik group and his collaborators. The first part of the manuscript concentrates on the interaction of nitric oxide and its derivatives with biologically important compounds. We summarized mechanistic information on the interaction between model porphyrin systems (microperoxidase) and NO as well as the recent studies on the formation of nitrosylcobalamin (CblNO). The following sections cover the characterization of the Ru(II)/Ru(III) mixed-valence ion-pair complexes, including Ru(II)/Ru(III)(edta) complexes. The last part concerns the latest mechanistic information on the DFT techniques applications. Each section presents the most important results with the mechanistic interpretations.

Can a Nonorganometallic Ruthenium(II) Polypyridylamine Complex Catalyze Hydride Transfer? Mechanistic Insight from Solution Kinetics on the Reduction of Coenzyme NAD+ by Formate

Application of organometallic ruthenium(II) arene complexes has been successful for the modulation of cellular redox processes via their interaction with species such as formate to control the NAD⁺/NADH balance in cells. Here we present the first evidence that similar effects can be reached with the application of a nonorganometallic ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex. Kinetic studies performed demonstrate the ability of [Ru^II(terpy)(en)(H₂O/EtOH)]²⁺ in water/ethanol (1:9, v/v) solution, where terpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine and en = ethylenediamine, to catalyze the reduction of the NAD⁺ coenzyme to NADH in the presence of formate as hydride transfer source. In this case, terpy instead of arene is responsible for the labilization of coordinated solvent. The suggested catalytic cycle begins with the fast anation of the [Ru^II(terpy)(en)(H₂O/EtOH)]²⁺ complex by formate. This is followed by the rate-determining formate-catalyzed decarboxylation of the generated ruthenium(II) formato complex to form [Ru^II(terpy)(en)H]⁺. Rapid hydride transfer to NAD⁺ from [Ru^II(terpy)(en)H]⁺ to form NADH and to regenerate the starting ruthenium(II) solvato complex, closes the overall catalytic cycle.

Effects of the Bidentate Ligand on the Photophysical Properties, Cellular Uptake, and (Photo)cytotoxicity of Glycoconjugates Based on the [Ru(tpy)(NN)(L)]2+ Scaffold

Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes have received widespread attention as potential chemotherapeutics in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and in photochemotherapy (PACT). Here, we investigate a series of sixteen ruthenium polypyridyl complexes with general formula [Ru(tpy)(N-N)(L)]+/2+ (tpy=2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, N-N=bpy (2,2'-bipyridine), phen (1,10-phenanthroline), dpq (pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline), dppz (dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, dppn (benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine), pmip (2-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline), pymi ((E)-N-phenyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)methanimine), or azpy (2-(phenylazo)pyridine), L=Cl- or 2-(2-(2-(methylthio)ethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl-β-d-glucopyranoside) and their potential for either PDT or PACT. We demonstrate that although increased lipophilicity is generally related to increased uptake of these complexes, it does not necessarily lead to increased (photo)cytotoxicity. However, the non-toxic complexes are excellent candidates as PACT carriers.

Structure and reactivity of [RuII(terpy)(N^N)Cl]Cl complexes: consequences for biological applications

Ligand substitution reactions of [Ru^II(terpy)(N^N)Cl]Cl, where N^N = bipy and en, and the corresponding aqua complexes were studied in detail, including the crystal and solution structures of the chlorido complexes. The chlorido complex undergoes spontaneous aquation that can only be prevented using high chloride concentrations (>2 M).

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of labile intercalative ruthenium(ii) complexes for anticancer drug screening

[Ru(tpy)(N^N)Cl]⁺ were synthesized for anticancer evolution. Ru2–Ru4 were dual-mode DNA-binding complexes and exhibited higher DNA binding affinity, better cellular uptake efficiency and higher anticancer activity than Ru1.