Synthesis and anti-proliferative activities of ruthenium complexes containing the hydrogen sulfide-releasing ligand GYY4137

Two ruthenium complexes containing the hydrogen sulfide-releasing ligand (4-methoxyphenyl)morpholin-4-ylphosphinodithioate (GYY4137), [(p-Cym)Ru(en)(GYY4137)].PF6 (1) and (p-Cym)Ru(Cl)(GYY4137) (2) (p-Cym = p-cymene and en = ethylenediamine), were synthesized and characterized by standard methods, including X-Ray diffraction crystallography and 1H and 31P NMR for 1, and 1H and 31P NMR for 2. They display anti-proliferative activities in vitro towards human ovarian carcinoma A2780 or A2780R and human breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231 cell lines. [Display omitted] •Ruthenium complexes with the H2S-releasing ligand GYY4137 were synthesized.•An intramolecular H-bond leads to an unusually long P=S bond in one complex.•The complexes are cytotoxic towards cancer cell lines.