Ruthenacarborane-Phenanthroline Derivatives as Potential Metallodrugs.

Ruthenium-based complexes have received much interest as potential metallodrugs. In this work, four RuII complexes bearing a dicarbollide moiety, a carbonyl ligand, and a phenanthroline-based ligand were synthesized and characterized, including single crystal diffraction analysis of compounds 2, 4, and 5 and an observed side product SP1. Complexes 2–5 are air and moisture stable under ambient conditions. They show excellent solubility in organic solvents, but low solubility in water.