Ruthenium complexes have been discovered to selectively target cancer cells. These complexes are activated by both the acidic properties of the tumors present in the body and by light. Testing how various pH levels affect the uptake of the synthesized ruthenium complexes is necessary to study how well the compounds would absorb into cells in the body. Two ruthenium complexes of the type [(N,N)2Ru(PL)]2+ (where N,N = spectator ligand, PL = photolabile ligand) were evaluated and tested to determine if the compound was hydrophilic or lipophilic, when dissolved in the varied pH buffer solutions. The distribution coefficients of Compound 1A: [(bipy)2Ru(6,6'-dhbp)]2+ and Compound 2A: (phen)2Ru(6,6-dhbp)Cl2]) were measured to test the uptake of the compounds in various pH environments (6,6’-dhbp = 6,6’-dihydroxybipyridine; bipy = 2,2’-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) . Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy was used to calculate the distribution coefficients, which is a measure of the relative lipophilicity or hydrophilicity of the compound. Furthermore, the synthesis of new spectator ligands which would improve uptake was begun.

Cancer selective ruthenium pro-drugs have been studied to show that pH can influence the distribution coefficient and uptake

255th National Meeting (2018)

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