Ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes containing thiourea ligand: Enhancing the biological assets through biomolecules interaction and enzyme mimetic activities

The ligand H₂L (N-(N,N-diethylaminothiocarbonyl)benzimidoylchloride-2-aminoacetophenone-N-methylthiosemicarbazone) reacts with ruthenium(II) building blocks [RuHCl(CO)(EPh₃)₃] (E = P or As) to form new complexes [Ru(1,1-DT)(Cl₂)(CO)-(EPh₃)₂] (E = P or As; 1,1-DT = 1,1-diethylthiourea). The ligand H₂L in these reactions undergoes C=N bond break and coordinates through sulfur atom of C=S group. Analytical and spectral (IR, UV–Vis, NMR, ESI-MS) methods were used to characterize the compounds. A distorted octahedral geometry for complexes has been furnished by X-ray crystallography, which confirmed the coordination mode of the ligand with metal precursor. The binding affinity and mode of binding of the complex towards some important biomolecules such as calf thymus DNA and bovine serum albumin protein were determined using absorption and emission spectra and found intercalative binding with calf thymus DNA and static interaction with bovine serum albumin. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of complex was assessed using human cervical cancer (HeLa), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), and normal Vero cells. Furthermore, the complex was found to possess significant enzyme mimic catalytic activity in oxidation and hydrolysis reactions. Graphical abstract:

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