We here report the synthesis of new cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes of general formula [(eta(5)-C5H5)Ru(PP)(L)](+) (PP = two triphenylphosphine, 1,2-diphenylphosphinoethane), isolated as PF6- salts, with L being galactose and fructose carbohydrate derivative ligands, N-coordinated to the metal centre by nitrile, tetrazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole moieties. The ten new organometallic compounds were fully characterized by FT-IR, H-1, C-13, and P-31 NMR spectroscopies, and by elemental analysis. The cytotoxicity of the ruthenium(II) compounds was tested on HeLa cancer cells (cervical carcinoma), unveiling IC50 values in the low micromolar range. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.