Cationic arene ruthenium(ii) complexes with chelating P-functionalized alkyl phenyl sulfide and sulfoxide ligands as potent anticancer agents

The synthesis and characterization of cationic ruthenium(II) complexes of the type [Ru(η6-p-cym)Cl{Ph2P(CH2)nS(O)xPh-κP,κS}][PF6] (n = 1–3; x = 0, 1; p-cym = p-cymene) are presented. Furthermore, their high biological potential even against cisplatin-resistant tumor cell lines and their structure–activity relationships are discussed.