Synthesis, structure, properties and biological behaviour of the complex [RuIV (H2L) Cl2].2H2O (H4L= 1,2-cyclohexanediamminetetraacetic acid).

The highly water-soluble ruthenium complex [Ru(H(2)L)Cl(2)](2)H(2)o, in which H(4)L is the sequestering ligand trans-l, 2-cyclohexanediamminetetraacetic acid (cdta) has been synthesized, structurally characterized and its properties studied. The X-ray crystallographic study shows that the chelating coordinated ligand is tetradentate while the ruthenium environment is octahedral and slightly distorted, with two chloride anions coordinated in cis positions. Potentiometric, conductimetric and infrared studies confirm the presence of two free carboxylic groups, while electronic and voltammetric studies show that the central ion is Ru(IV). The testing of the cytotoxic activity of this complex against three different human cancer cell lines indicates that [Ru(H(2)L)Cl(2)].2H(2)O shows a remarkable and selective antiproliferative effect against the human uterine neck carcinoma HeLa and the malign adenocarcinoma ADLD, showing only a discrete turnout cell inhibition activity against colon adenocarcinoma HT-29. The important antiprotiferative behaviour of complex 1 against the human adenocarcinoma ADLD, indicates that [Ru(H(2)L)Cl(2)].2H(2)O might be considered as potential antineoplastic compound.