Two mixed valence diruthenium(ii,iii) isomeric complexes show different anticancer properties

In this paper it is demonstrated that the nature of the ligands of two Ru-2(ii,iii) paddlewheel complexes dramatically affects the overall anticancer properties in cells. Herein, the complex [Ru-2(EB776)(4)Cl] was found to be more active against a glioblastoma model with respect to its isomer [Ru-2(EB106)(4)Cl]. These different effects depend on the steric hindrance, on the allowed conformations of the complexes and on the presence of hydrophilic regions in [Ru-2(EB776)(4)Cl], which overall lead to a lower ``steric protection''.