Abstract
Mono‐ and binuclear benzimidazole based half‐sandwich organoruthenium(II) compounds; [Run(triazolateCOOCH3,COOCH3)n(η6‐p‐Cym)nL]0/+/2+ (n = 1, L = LCH2CH3 (7) and HLSO3H (8); n = 2, L = LDTP (9)) were synthesized by [3+2] free catalyzed cycloaddition reaction of azide complexes 4–6 with electron‐poor alkyne dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate. In comparison with the parent [RunCln(η6‐p‐Cym)nL]0/+/2 complexes (1–3), the lysozyme binding affinity of the corresponding triazolate compounds 7–9 was investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Complexes bearing benzimidazole ligand with an alkylated sulfonate side chain (2 and 8) are able to bind lysozyme noncovalently, which have not been clearly seen by other investigated Ru(II) complexes. The complexes were assessed for their potential antimicrobial activity against some representative microbes. Complex 9 exhibits antifungal activity against C. albicans (MIC = 24 nm) and C. neoformans (MIC = 12 nm), perfect blood compatibility as well as no toxicity to non‐malignant cell line (human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293).
The polar sulfonate appendage of the pyridylbenzimidazole ligands played a main role in determining the lysozyme adduct product with half‐sandwich ruthenium(II) cymene complexes. While exchange of the axial chloride ligand with the triazolate moiety does not affect the non‐covalent mode of interaction, replacement of sulfonate with ethyl leads to decomposition of the complexes.