ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Design, synthesis and characterization of novel ruthenium (II)-based macrocyclic complex with remarkable cytotoxic and antimicrobial potential

Urmila Phageria, Krishna Atal, Sushama Kumari, and Swati Bugalia

Department of Chemistry, Government Lohia College, Churu, India

E-mail: swati.bugalia@gmail.com

Received: 30 January 2025  Accepted: 1 August 2025

Abstract:

In this manuscript, we report a novel cytotoxic Ru (II) macrocyclic complex i.e., [C₁₈H₂₄N₃O₃RuCl₂]Cl₂, synthesized via template condensation reaction of 5-chloroisatin with 1,13-diamino-4,7,10-trioxatridacane in the presence of RuCl₃.xH₂O metal salt as template, under an ethanolic medium with a 1:1:1 molar ratios. The structural scaffolding of the complex has been confirmed by elemental analysis, NMR, UV, IR, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. In accordance with these spectral studies and XRD, an octahedral geometry has been proposed for the complex with 5.89 nm and 1.11 nm average crystalline size as calculated by Debye–Scherrer and Williamson–Hall plot methods respectively. Furthermore, the metal complex has been screened for antifungal and antibacterial activities. Biological evaluations revealed significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strains, as well as fungal pathogens Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum. The anticancer potential of the synthesized complex has also been analysed against MCF-7 (Human breast adenocarcinoma) cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) and the result revealed the noteworthy potential of the complex as cytotoxic agent. These findings underscore the potential of this ruthenium (II) complex as a dual-action antimicrobial and anticancer agent, warranting further investigation for therapeutic applications.

Keywords: Ruthenium (II)-based macrocyclic complex; Template synthesis; Antimicrobial studies; Anticancer activity

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04288-x

Chemical Papers 79 (11) 7799–7812 (2025)