CpRu Research Articles

Ligand Modifications on a Cp(quinolate)Ru Catalyst to Improve Its Stability in a Bio-orthogonal Deprotection Reaction

Ligand Modifications on a Cp(quinolate)Ru Catalyst to Improve Its Stability in a Bio-orthogonal Deprotection Reaction

A Theoretical Investigation of Chemical Bonding of a Heterometallic Trinuclear Cluster Containing Iridium and Ruthenium: [(Cp*Ir) (CpRu)2 (μ3-H) (μ-H)3] by QTAIM Approach

Numerous integral and local electron density’s topological parameters of significant metal-metal and metal-ligand bonding interactions in a trinuclear tetrahydrido cluster [(Cp* Ir) (Cp Ru)2 (μ3-H) (μ-H)3]1 (Cp = η5 -C5Me5), (Cp* = η5 -C5Me4Et) were calculated and interpreted by using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM). The properties of bond critical points such as the delocalization indices δ (A, B), the electron density ρ(r), the local kinetic energy density G(r), the Laplacian of the electron density ∇2ρ(r), the local energy density H(r), the local potential energy density V(r) and ellipticity ε(r) are compared with data from earlier organometallic system studies. A comparison of the topological processes of different atom-atom interactions has become possible thanks to these results. In the core of the heterometallic tetrahydrido cluster, the Ru2IrH4 part, the calculations showed that there are no bond critical points (BCPs) or identical bond paths (BPs) between Ru-Ru and Ru-Ir. The distribution of electron densities is determined by the position of bridging hydride atoms coordinated to Ru-Ru and Ru-Ir, which significantly affects the bonds between these transition metal atoms. On the other hand, the results confirm that the cluster under study contains a 7c–11e bonding interaction delocalized over M3H4, as shown by the non-negligible delocalization index calculations. The small values for ρ(b) above zero, together with the small values, again above zero, for Laplacian ∇2ρ(b) and the small positive values for total energy density H(b), are shown by the Ru-H and Ir-H bonds in this cluster is typical for open-shell interactions. Also, the topological data for the bond interactions between Ir and Ru metal atoms with the C atoms of the cyclopentadienyl Cp ring ligands are similar. They show properties very identical to open-shell interactions in the QTAIM classification.

Piano-stool ruthenium(II) complexes with maleimide and phosphine or phosphite ligands: synthesis and activity against normal and cancer cells.

In these studies, we designed and investigated cyto- and genotoxic potential of five ruthenium cyclopentadienyl complexes bearing different phosphine and phosphite ligands. All of the complexes were characterized with spectroscopic analysis (NMR, FT-IR, ESI-MS, UV-vis, fluorescence and XRD (for two compounds)). For biological studies, we used three types of cells - normal peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells, leukemic HL-60 cells and doxorubicin-resistance HL-60 cells (HL-60/DR). We compared the results obtained with those obtained for the complex with maleimide ligand CpRu(CO)2(η1-N-maleimidato) 1, which we had previously reported. We observed that the complexes CpRu(CO)(PPh3)(η1-N-maleimidato) 2a and CpRu(CO)(P(OEt)3)(η1-N-maleimidato) 3a were the most cytotoxic for HL-60 cells and non-cytotoxic for normal PBM cells. However, complex 1 was more cytotoxic for HL-60 cells than complexes 2a and 3a (IC50 = 6.39 μM vs. IC50 = 21.48 μM and IC50 = 12.25 μM, respectively). The complex CpRu(CO)(P(OPh)3)(η1-N-maleimidato) 3b is the most cytotoxic for HL-60/DR cells (IC50 = 104.35 μM). We found the genotoxic potential of complexes 2a and 3a only in HL-60 cells. These complexes also induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells. Docking studies showed that complexes 2a and CpRu(CO)(P(Fu)3)(η1-N-maleimidato) 2b have a small ability to degrade DNA, but they may cause a defect in DNA damage repair mechanisms leading to cell death. This hypothesis is corroborated with the results obtained in the plasmid relaxation assay in which ruthenium complexes bearing phosphine and phosphite ligands induce DNA breaks.

Antioxidant Activity of Ruthenium Cyclopentadienyl Complexes Bearing Succinimidato and Phthalimidato Ligands.

In these studies, we investigated the antioxidant activity of three ruthenium cyclopentadienyl complexes bearing different imidato ligands: (η5-cyclopentadienyl)Ru(CO)2-N-methoxysuccinimidato (1), (η5-cyclopentadienyl)Ru(CO)2-N-ethoxysuccinimidato (2), and (η5-cyclopentadienyl)Ru(CO)2-N-phthalimidato (3). We studied the effects of ruthenium complexes 1–3 at a low concentration of 50 µM on the viability and the cell cycle of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and HL-60 leukemic cells exposed to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Moreover, we examined the influence of these complexes on DNA oxidative damage, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. We have observed that ruthenium complexes 1–3 increase the viability of both normal and cancer cells decreased by H2O2 and also alter the HL-60 cell cycle arrested by H2O2 in the sub-G1 phase. In addition, we have shown that ruthenium complexes reduce the levels of ROS and oxidative DNA damage in both cell types. They also restore SOD activity reduced by H2O2. Our results indicate that ruthenium complexes 1–3 bearing succinimidato and phthalimidato ligands have antioxidant activity without cytotoxic effect at low concentrations. For this reason, the ruthenium complexes studied by us should be considered interesting molecules with clinical potential that require further detailed research.

Cytotoxicity of piano‐stool ruthenium cyclopentadienyl complexes bearing different imidato ligands

AbstractIn these studies, we investigated a cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of four ruthenium cyclopentadienyl complexes bearing different imidato ligands: (η5‐cyclopentadienyl)Ru (CO)2(η1‐N‐maleimidato) (1), (η5‐cyclopentadienyl)Ru (CO)2‐N‐methoxysuccinimidato (2), (η5‐cyclopentadienyl)Ru (CO)2‐N‐ethoxysuccinimidato (3), and (η5‐cyclopentadienyl)Ru (CO)2‐N‐phthalimidato (4). We used two types of cells—normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and leukemic HL‐60 cells. We observed that complex 1 was highly cytotoxic and genotoxic, both for normal and cancer cells at concentrations from 0.5 to 250 μM. Interestingly, complex 1 was 10 times more cytotoxic to HL‐60 cells compared with PBMCs. Complexes 2–4 were cytotoxic only for HL‐60 cells at the highest used concentrations. Furthermore, we observed an increase in the viability of PBMCs after incubation with succinimide complexes 2 and 3. We also showed that complex 1 arrested cell cycle in the sub‐G1 phase and induced apoptosis. We found that different properties of studied ruthenium complexes depend significantly on the type of imide ligand bind to the ruthenium atom. The density functional theory (DFT) calculation of maleimide and succinimide revealed some significant differences of these compounds that would be related to biological activity. Our results indicate that ruthenium complex 1 should be further investigated in detail for its anticancer properties.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Dehydrative Allylic Cyclization of Five-Membered Chalcogen Heteroaromatics

AbstractThe asymmetric dehydrative intramolecular allylation reactions of furan and thiophene were performed using a cationic cyclopentadienyl-ruthenium (CpRu) complex of a chiral pyridine carboxylic acid, namely Cl-Naph-PyCOOH. Both furan and thiophene tethered with an allylic alcohol gave the corresponding bicyclic compounds in high yields and enantioselectivities using 0.1–5 mol% of the catalyst. The reaction was found to proceed via a similar enantioface selection mechanism to that previously reported by our group, which involved halogen and hydrogen bond formation, in addition to the generation of an intermediate σ-allyl complex.

Engineering and Performance of Ruthenium Complexes Immobilized on Mesoporous Siliceous Materials as Racemization Catalysts

Dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) is one of the most attractive routes to enantioselective synthesis, and ruthenium complexes are often applied as racemization catalysts. Two substituted cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes were immobilized covalently and non-covalently on mesoporous silica of mesocellular foam (MCF) and Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA)-15 type functionalized with a 3 carbon spacer and 4-(chloromethyl)-N-amidobenzoate moiety. The catalysts were studied in a model reaction of secondary alcohol racemization. The immobilization decreased catalyst activity, considerably more for SBA-15 than for MCFs, and complete racemization of 1-phenylethanol was achieved within 24 h with the MCF-supported catalyst. The catalyst could be recovered and reused, thus paving the way for further development of the DKR process. The synthesized materials were fully characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, thermogravimetry analysis, inductively cou-pled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and nitrogen adsorption at 77 K.

Half-Sandwich Cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) Complexes: A New Antimalarial Chemotype.

A small library of "half-sandwich" cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) compounds of the general formula [(η5-C5R5)Ru(PPh3)(N-N)][PF6], a scaffold hitherto absent from the toolbox of antiplasmodials, was screened for activity against the blood stage of CQ-sensitive 3D7-GFP, CQ-resistant Dd2, and artemisinin-resistant IPC5202 Plasmodium falciparum strains and the liver stage of Plasmodium berghei. The best-performing compounds displayed dual-stage activity, with single-digit nanomolar IC50 values against blood-stage malaria parasites, nanomolar activity against liver-stage parasites, and residual cytotoxicity against HepG2 and Huh7 mammalian cells. The parasitic absorption/distribution of 7-nitrobenzoxadiazole-appended fluorescent compounds Ru4 and Ru5 was investigated by confocal fluorescence microscopy, revealing parasite-selective absorption in infected erythrocytes and nuclear accumulation of both compounds. The lead compound Ru2 impaired asexual parasite differentiation, exhibiting fast parasiticidal activity against both ring and trophozoite stages of a synchronized culture of the P. falciparum 3D7 strain. These results point to cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complexes as a highly promising chemotype for the development of dual-stage antiplasmodials.

Synthesis and Reactivity of Cyclopentadienyl Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Tris(alkylthio)benzenes: Transformation between Dinuclear and Sandwich-Type Complexes.

To explore the structural transformation of cyclopentadienyl ruthenium (CpRu) complexes in response to external stimuli, the reaction of [RuCp(MeCN)3][X] (X = PF6, (FSO2)2N [= FSA]) and tris(alkylthio)benzenes (1,3,5-C6H3(SR)3; L1: R = Pr, L2: R = Me) was investigated, and the crystal structures and thermal properties of the products were examined. The reaction produced the sandwich complexes [RuCpLn][X] or dinuclear complexes [Ru2Cp2(μ-Ln)2(CH3CN)m][X]2 (X = PF6, FSA) depending on the reaction conditions. The sandwich complex [RuCpL1][FSA] was an ionic liquid. The solids of dinuclear complexes transformed into the thermodynamically stable sandwich complexes upon heating accompanied by acetonitrile loss. This change resulted in a transformation from crystal to ionic liquid for complexes with the FSA anion. UV irradiation of the sandwich complex [RuCpL1][PF6] in methanol produced the dinuclear complex [Ru2Cp2(μ-L1)2L12][PF6]2. The complex transformed into the sandwich complex upon heating.

An Ru-Substituted Tris(ethynyl)methyl Cation: Synthesis, Properties, and Structure of [{Cp(dppe)Ru(C≡C)}3C]PF6·C6H6

The dark blue complex [{Cp(dppe)Ru(C≡C)}3C]PF6 1 (Cp=cyclopentadienyl, dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) was obtained in 46% yield by treatment of Ru(C≡CH)(dppe)Cp with CuCl/TMEDA (tetramethylethanediamine), followed by KOH and [NH4]PF6 in acetone; it was accompanied by known complexes {Cp(dppe)Ru}C≡CC≡C{Ru(dppe)Cp} 2 (22%) and yellow [1,3-{Cp(dppe)Ru}2C4H3]PF6 3 (2.6%). The structure of the cationic fragment of 1 in its benzene solvate consists of a central planar C attached to three C≡CRu(dppe)Cp fragments. The cation of 3 consists of a cyclobuten-1,3-diyl group bearing two Ru(dppe)Cp groups. The 13C NMR resonance of the central C in 1 is found at δ 66.11. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 contains three irreversible oxidation waves at +0.87, +0.79, and +0.25V, together with a reversible reduction wave at −1.38V (versus FeCp2/[FeCp2]+).

Synthesis of an optically active polymer containing a planar phthalimide backbone by asymmetric polymerization

Herein we present the precise design and synthesis of a novel polymer backbone that induces a helical structure through asymmetric polymerization reactions of a phthalimide-based monomer catalyzed by a planar-chiral cyclopentadienyl–ruthenium complex.

Star-Shaped Ruthenium Complexes as Prototypes of Molecular Gears.

The design and synthesis of two families of molecular-gear prototypes is reported, with the aim of assembling them into trains of gears on a surface and ultimately achieving controlled intermolecular gearing motion. These piano-stool ruthenium complexes incorporate a hydrotris(indazolyl)borate moiety as tripodal rotation axle and a pentaarylcyclopentadienyl ligand as star-shaped cogwheel, equipped with five teeth ranging from pseudo-1D aryl groups to large planar 2D paddles. A divergent synthetic approach was followed, starting from a pentakis(p-bromophenyl)cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complex as key precursor or from its iodinated counterpart, obtained by copper-catalyzed aromatic Br/I exchange. Subsequent fivefold cross-coupling reactions with various partners allowed high structural diversity to be reached and yielded molecular-gear prototypes with aryl-, carbazole-, BODIPY- and porphyrin-derived teeth of increasing size and length.

Cyclopentadienyl Ruthenium(II) Complex-Mediated Oxidation of Benzylic and Allylic Alcohols to Corresponding Aldehydes

This work reports an efficient method for the oxidation reaction of aliphatic, aromatic allylic, and benzylic alcohols into aldehydes catalyzed by the cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complex (RuCpCl(PPh3)2) with bubbled O2. Through further optimizing controlled studies, the tendency order of oxidation reactivity was determined as follows: benzylic alcohols > aromatic allylic alcohols >> aliphatic alcohols. In addition, this method has several advantages, including a small amount of catalyst (0.5 mol%) and selective application of high discrimination activity of aliphatic, aromatic allylic, and benzylic alcohols.

Efficient transfer of dithiolene ligands from nickel to cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes

The reaction of [CpRu(PPh3)2Cl] with [Ni(S2C2Ph2)2] in refluxing toluene produces the purple salt [CpRu(S2C2Ph2)(PPh3)][Cl], containing a rare example of a cationic dithiolene complex, in excellent yield. Chemical or electrochemical reduction of [CpRu(S2C2Ph2)- (PPh3)][Cl] causes a colour change to blue and formation of the corresponding neutral species [CpRu(S2C2Ph2)(PPh3)]. In contrast the reaction of [CpRu(CO)2Cl] with [Ni(S2C2Ph2)2] under similar conditions was unsuccessful, but dithiolene transfer could be induced at room temperature by the use of Me3NO as a decarbonylating agent. In this case the neutral paramagnetic complex [CpRu(S2C2Ph2)(CO)] was formed, together with a crystallographically characterised dinuclear compound [Ru2(μ-S2C2Ph2)(μ-CO)(CO)Cp2]. The different outcomes of these reactions are related to the σ-donor and π-acceptor properties of the ligands.

Cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes of mixed heterocyclic thiol and Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene ligands

Cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes bearing mixed heterocyclic thiol and bis(diphenylphsphino)ferrocene (dppf) ligands are presented. The complex-salts [CpRu(dppf)(κ1S-HS-het)]PF6 {Cp = η5-C5H5; HS-het = 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (1), 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (2)} were synthesized from the reaction of CpRu(dppf)Cl with the thiol in the presence of KPF6 salt under reflux. Complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by spectroscopic methods (1H-NMR, 31P{1H}-NMR, MS) and elemental analysis. The solid-state structures of [CpRu(dppf)(κ1SS2C7H5N)]PF6 (1) and [CpRu(dppf)(κ1S-SC7H6N2)]PF6 (2) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The cyclic voltammetry of these two complexes are measured.

Combined high resolution X-ray and DFT Bader analysis to reveal a proposed Ru–H⋯Si interaction in Cp(IPr)Ru(H)2SiH(Ph)Cl

The compound Cp(IPr)Ru(H)2SiH(Ph)Cl (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene) (1) was subject to low temperature (30 K), high resolution X-ray structural analysis to obtain a high quality electron density map. This map was subject to a Bader analysis to ascertain the possibility of a Ru–H⋯Si interaction. For comparison, DFT calculations employing the well known B3LYP functional in conjunction with a triple zeta basis set was employed. Thus, we not only report the results of a possible Ru–H⋯Si interaction but also benchmark the use of the employed level of theory against experimental results.

Lipase‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of C1‐ and C2‐Symmetric Racemic Axially Chiral 2,2′‐Dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biaryls

AbstractWe have discovered that the racemization of configurationally stable, axially chiral 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biaryls proceeds with a catalytic amount of a cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complex at 35–50 °C. Combining this racemization procedure with lipase‐catalyzed kinetic resolution led to the first lipase/metal‐integrated dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic axially chiral biaryl compounds. The method was applied to the synthesis of various enantio‐enriched C1‐ and C2‐symmetric biaryl diols in yields of up to 98 % and enantiomeric excesses of up to 98 %, which paves the way for new developments in the field of asymmetric synthesis.

Lipase‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of C1‐ and C2‐Symmetric Racemic Axially Chiral 2,2′‐Dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biaryls

We have discovered that the racemization of configurationally stable, axially chiral 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-biaryls proceeds with a catalytic amount of a cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complex at 35-50 °C. Combining this racemization procedure with lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution led to the first lipase/metal-integrated dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic axially chiral biaryl compounds. The method was applied to the synthesis of various enantio-enriched C1 - and C2 -symmetric biaryl diols in yields of up to 98 % and enantiomeric excesses of up to 98 %, which paves the way for new developments in the field of asymmetric synthesis.

Hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes catalyzed by cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes

This work reports the first method for the synthesis of α-hydroxyphosphonates from aldehydes catalyzed by cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes. The best results were obtained using the system HP(O)(OEt)2/[RuClCp(PPh3)2] (5 mol%), affording the α-hydroxyphosphonates in good to excellent yields with high chemoselectivity. The catalyst [RuClCp(PPh3)2] can be used for at least 12 catalytic cycles with excellent activity and the reactions were carried out under solvent free conditions. DFT calculations were performed to rationalize the mechanism showing that the barriers associated with the H-phosphonate tautomer, HP(O)(OR)2 are unrealistically high. This led us to propose that the catalyst promotes the tautomerization towards phosphite, P(OH)(OR)2, via P-atom coordination, which accounts for the observed reactivity.

Direct Aminophosphonylation of aldehydes catalyzed by cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes

This work reports a novel method for the direct aminophosphonylation of aldehydes catalyzed by cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes. The system HP(O)(OEt)2/[CpRu(PPh3)2Cl] was very efficient for the aminophosphonylation of aldehydes with primary and secondary amines, producing the corresponding α-aminophosphonates in good to excellent yields. This novel method has several advantages including the use of a small amount of catalyst (0.5 mol%), high chemoselectivity, solvent-free conditions and application of the catalyst [CpRu(PPh3)2Cl] for at least 12 cycles with excellent activity.