Herein we present half-sandwich RuII diimine complexes that combine anticancer and antimetastasis activity into one molecule. Two half-sandwich RuII diimine complexes [(η6-p-cymene)Ru(N^N)Cl]PF6 have been synthesized and characterized. RuII complexes show antiproliferative activity against a wide range of cancer cell lines in vitro. In addition, they exhibit no cross-resistance with cisplatin. The complexes target mitochondria, damage mitochondrial integrity, and induce mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Further studies show that the complexes can induce activation of caspase 3/PARP. Interestingly, the complexes finally lead to apoptosis and impede cell migration in cancer cells via ROS-mediated signalling.
