Synthesis and Characterization of Highly Water Soluble Ruthenium(II) and Osmium(II) Complexes Bearing Chelating Sulfonated N‑Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

The synthesis of highly water soluble ruthenium­(II) and osmium­(II) complexes based on chelating N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands bearing sulfonated side chains is reported. The complexes are easily accessible in very good yields via synthesis of silver-bis­(NHC) complexes and subsequent reaction with [(p-cymene)­MCl2]2 (M = Ru, Os). They express high thermal stability and are highly soluble in water (up to 400 mg/mL). The first structurally characterized Ru­(II) complex bearing a chelating sulfonated ligand is presented.本文报道了一类基于带有磺化侧链的螯合型氮杂环卡宾（N-heterocyclic carbene, NHC）配体的高水溶性钌(II)与锇(II)配合物的合成。该类配合物可通过先制备双(NHC)银配合物，再与[(对伞花烃)MCl₂]₂（M=Ru、Os）反应，以优异收率便捷获得。其具备优异的热稳定性，且在水中溶解度极高，最高可达400 mg/mL。本文同时报道了首例经结构表征的带有螯合型磺化配体的钌(II)配合物。