New half-sandwich ruthenium(ii) complexes as proteosynthesis inhibitors in cancer cells.

Half-sandwich ruthenium(ii) complexes [((6)-p-cymene)Ru((CN)-N-boolean AND)-(X)](0/+) (X = Cl, py or 4-NMe2-py) containing a cyclometalated 2-ppy or 1-ppz with a non-coordinated CHO group as a handle for further functionalization have been synthesized to achieve selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells, the more potent compounds acting as proteosynthesis inhibitors; this is a new mode of action for half-sandwich metal complexes.