Ru(III) Complexes and Their Ligands Derived from Salicylaldehyde and Halogenated Anilines: Synthesis, Characterisation, and Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

This work aimed to describe the synthesis and characterisation of two anionic Ru(III) complexes of the general formula Na[Ru - Cl 2 ( N -4-Cl-Ph-salim) 2 ] and Na[RuCl 2 ( N -3-Br-Ph-salim) 2 , their associated ligands, and determine their antioxidant activity. The ligands N- 4-Cl-phenylsalicylidenimine ( N -4-Cl-Ph-salimH, HL a ) and N- 3-Br-phenylsalicylidenimine ( N -3-Br-Ph-salimH, HL b ), Schiff bases, were synthesised from salicylaldehyde and chloroaniline or bromoaniline. The compounds were characterised us - ing IR spectroscopy and ESI ToF mass spectrometry. The following was confirmed: coordination of ligands on the Ru(III) centre, the molecular formulas, and the corresponding M − ions: [C 26 H 18 N 2 O 2 Cl 4 Ru] − ion, (m/z: 631.9173) and [C 26 H 18 N 2 O 2 Cl 2 Br 2 Ru] − ion, (m/z: 719.8283). The antioxidant activity was determined by the ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays. In contrast to the ligands, both complexes proved to be strong scaven - gers of the ABTS and DPPH radicals with IC 50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) values comparable to those of Trolox. As such, they present valuable candidates for further research related to their biological properties.