Synthesis, characterization, and photochemistry of ruthenium nitrosyl compounds for use as nitric oxide donors

Nitric oxide is an important biological molecule and there is interest in delivery of the molecule to biological media. Photochemical techniques for delivery are being investigated for control and selectivity. Several ruthenium nitrosyl compounds have been synthesized, and have been found to be thermally stable and photochemically active toward loss of NO. Also the rates for the reaction of the ruthenium photoproduct with NO have been measured in different solvents along with the activation parameters.