Half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes containing NN-chelated imino-pyridyl ligands that are selectively toxic to cancer cells

Chemotherapy is limited by its poor selectivity towards cancer cells over normal cells. Herein, we designed half-sandwich ruthenium imino-pyridyl complexes [(eta(6)-bz) Ru( (NN)-N-boolean AND)Cl]PF6 to achieve selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells. This kind of ruthenium complex has unique characteristics and is worthy of further exploration in the design of new anticancer drugs.