Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and computational study of Ru(II)/DMSO complexes with monocoordinated carbazate ligands

Reaction of the precursor cis,fac-[RuCl2(dmso-S)3(dmso-O)] with three carbazate ligands led to new compounds of the type cis,fac-[RuCl2(dmso-S)3(L)] (L = benzylcarbazate (bc), 1; 4-methoxybenzylcarbazate (mc), 2; or 3,5-dimethoxy-α,α-dimethylbenzylcarbazate (mmc), 3). Complexes 1–3 have been characterized by elemental analysis (CHN), FTIR, UV–vis, and 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy. Complex 1 was also analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculations were performed in order to better understand its spectroscopic data and electronic structure. All collected data were consistent with substitution of one dmso ligand by a monodentate carbazate ligand. Preliminary biological assays against breast and prostate human cancer cell lines were performed in order to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of these three new complexes.