Ru360

Ru₃₆₀ is an oxo-bridged dinuclear ruthenium ammine complex with an absorption spectrum maximum at 360 nm. It is an analog of ruthenium red, a well-known effective inhibitor of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter.

Ru₃₆₀ was discovered after scientists found that commercial preparations of ruthenium red were often less than 20% pure, and that the crude mixture produced a stronger inhibition than the purified product. This component was later isolated and its structure determined, Ru₃₆₀ has structural formula (μ-O)[(HCO₂)(NH₃)₄Ru]₂Cl₃, that is, an oxygen-linked chain only two octahedral ruthenium–ammine units rather than the three of ruthenium red. One of the ruthenium atoms is in a +3 oxidation state, and the other in a +4 oxidation state. In addition to the four ammonia ligands, each ruthenium also has one formate group and there are a total of three chloride ions to balance the charge. In solution, chloride or hydroxide groups displace the formates.

Since Ru₃₆₀ inhibits the flow of calcium into mitochondria, which can prevent the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, it has been investigated as a therapeutic treatment for stroke and heart attack.

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