Arene Ruthenium(II) Complexes Bearing the κ- or κ-,κ- PhP(CH)SPh Ligand.

Neutral [Ru(η-arene)Cl{PhP(CH)SPh-κ}] (arene = benzene, indane, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene: , and ) and cationic [Ru(η-arene)Cl(PhP(CH)SPh-κ,κ)]X complexes (arene = mesitylene, 1,4-dihydronaphthalene; X = Cl: , ; arene = benzene, mesitylene, indane, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, and 1,4-dihydronaphthalene; X = PF: -) complexes were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, H, C and P NMR spectroscopy and also by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The stability of the complexes has been investigated in DMSO. Complexes have been assessed for their cytotoxic activity against 518A2, 8505C, A253, MCF-7 and SW480 cell lines. Generally, complexes exhibited activity in the lower micromolar range; moreover, they are found to be more active than cisplatin. For the most active ruthenium(II) complex, , bearing mesitylene as ligand, the mechanism of action against 8505C cisplatin resistant cell line was determined. Complex induced apoptosis accompanied by caspase activation.