Mechanistic Aspects of Ligand Substitution on the Cis-Diaqua-Chloro-Tris(Dimethyl Sulfoxide)Ruthenium(II) Complex by Some Sulfur-Containing Bioactive Ligands in Aqueous Medium

The synthesis and interactions of the cis-diaqua-chloro-tris(dimethyl sulfoxide)ruthenium(II) complex with selected sulfur-containing ligands such as 2-thiouracil, glutathione and L-cysteine have been studied by UV-Vis spectrophotometry in aqueous medium at pH 4.5. From experimental data it is clear that all three reactions proceed via two steps: the first one being a rate-limiting ligand-dependent replacement of one water molecule, followed by a ligand-independent ring closure step with the expulsion of the second water molecule. The substituted products have been characterised by Job's method, FTIR spectroscopy and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. Activation parameters (ΔH≠ and ΔS≠) and thermodynamic parameters (ΔH0 and ΔS0, from the temperature dependence of the outer-sphere association equilibrium constant) are presented. Consistent with the experimental findings, an associative interchange mechanism is proposed.