David J. Ellis

Synthesis and characterisation of some water soluble ruthenium(II)-arene complexes and an investigation of their antibiotic and antiviral properties

The water soluble ruthenium-p-cymene complexes [Ru(eta(6)-p-cymene)X-2](2) (X = Cl, Br, I or NCS), [Ru(eta(6)-p-cymene)X-2(pta)] (X=Cl, Br, I, or NCS; pta=1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1]decane) and the tetraruthenium cluster [H4Ru4(eta(6)-p-benzene)(4)](2+) have been prepared and their antimicrobial properties evaluated. They have been screened for antibacterial activity against Eschericia coli, Bascillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginos, for antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Cladosporium resinae and Trichrophyton mentagrophytes and for antiviral activity against Herpes simplex and Polio viruses. The antimicrobial activity of these compounds does not appear to be correlated to DNA binding, but it could be due to specific interactions with proteins. The solid-state structure of the dimer complex [Ru(eta(6)-p-cymene)Cl-2](2), an important precursor complex in organometallic chemistry, is also reported

[Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2(pta)] (pta = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo- [3.3.1.1]decane): a water soluble compound that exhibits pH dependent DNA binding providing selectivity for diseased cells

The water soluble complex [Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2(pta)] (pta = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1]decane), exhibits pH dependent DNA damage; the pH at which damage is greatest correlates well to the pH environment of cancer cells.

Hydrogenation of non-activated alkenes catalysed by water-soluble ruthenium carbonyl clusters using a biphasic protocol

Abstract The use of the water soluble ruthenium clusters Ru 3 (CO) 12− x (TPPTN) x ( x =1 1 , 2 2 or 3 3 ) and H 4 Ru 4 (CO) 11 (TPPTN) 4 (TPPTN=P{ m -C 6 H 4 SO 3 Na) 3 ) as catalyst precursors in the hydrogenation of non-activated alkenes under biphasic conditions is described. Each cluster displays activity under moderate conditions, ca. 60 atm. H 2 at 60°C, with catalytic turnovers up to ca. 500. The trinuclear clusters undergo transformation during reaction but can be reused repeatedly without loss of activity. Other methodologies such as ionic liquid–organic and the use of silica supports have been attempted with these clusters but they are less effective than the aqueous–organic regime.

1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cobalt tetracarbonyl [bmim][Co(CO)4]: a catalytically active organometallic ionic liquid.

An ambient temperature liquid transition metal carbonyl anion has been prepared in a metathesis reaction between [bmim]Cl ([bmim]+ = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cation) and Na[Co(CO)4]; the ionic liquid catalyses the debromination of 2-bromoketones.