tris-(Benzimidazol-2-yl-methyl)-amine as a versatile building block in Ru(II) polypyridyl chemistry

Abstract

tris-(Benzimidazol-2-yl-methyl)-amine, H3ntb, was prepared and used in the synthesis of dinuclear Ru(II) polypyridyl and polynuclear Ru(II)-Co(III) complexes of the type [Ru2(H2ntb) (bpy)4]3+, [Ru2(Hntb)(phen)4]2+, [(Ru2(H2ntb)(bpy)4)2Co(en) 2]9+, and [(Ru2(Hntb)(phen)4)2 Co(en)2]7+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, en = 1,2-diaminoethane). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis as well as spectroscopic and redox data. The luminescent properties of the complexes were also studied. The complexes showed significant antitumour and anti-HIV activities.