Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Alternatives To Nitroprusside, William T. Hiscock

Honors Theses

Any transition metal nitrosyl complex may release nitric oxide and thus has potential as a vasodilator. Nitroprusside, Na2[Fe(CN)5(NO)], is currently used, but dosages are limited because of the potential release of cyanide. Research in our group has been directed towards the synthesis of iron and ruthenium complexes containing the nitrosyl ligand and polypyridyl coligands such as 2,2-dipyridyl (bpy) and 2,2': 6',2"-terpyridine (tpy). These coligands are much less toxic than cyanide. Both [(bpy)(tpy)Fe(NO)]3+ and [(bpy)(tpy)Ru(NO)]3+ have been synthesized and characterized using infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, conductivity, and magnetic susceptibility. Along with the search for other possible polydentate coligands, is the search …