Synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry, catalytic and biological activities of ruthenium(III) complexes with bidentate N, O/S donor ligands

New hexa-coordinated ruthenium(III) complexes of the type [RuX2(EPh3)(2)(L)] (E=P or As; X=C1 or Br; L=monobasic bidentate Schiff base derived from the condensation of benzhydrazide with furfuraddehyde, 2-acetylfuran and 2-acetylthiophene) have been synthesized from the equimolar amounts of [RuX3(EPh3)(3)] or [RuBr3(PPh3)(2)(MeOH)] and Schiff bases in benzene. The new complexes have been characterized by analytical, spectral (IR, electronic and EPR), magnetic moment, and cyclic voltammetry. An octahedral structure has been tentatively proposed. All the complexes have exhibited catalytic activity for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol and cinnamylalcohol in the presence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide as co-oxidant. All the new complexes were found to be active against the bacteria such as E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. The activity was compared with standard Streptomycin. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.