Ruthenium(II)–arene complexes have gained significant research interest due to their possible application in cancer therapy. In this contribution two new complexes are described, namely [{RuCl(η6-p-cymene)}2(μ-Cl)(μ-1-N,N’-naphthyl)]X (X = Cl, 1; PF6, 2), which were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental microanalysis. Furthermore, the structure of 2 in the solid state was determined by a single crystal X-ray crystallographic study, confirming the composition of the crystals as 2·2MeOH. The Hirshfeld surface analysis was employed for the investigation of interactions that govern the crystal structure of 2·2MeOH. The structural data for 2 out of 2·2MeOH was used for the theoretical analysis of the cationic part [{RuCl(η6-p-cymene)}2(μ-Cl)(μ-1-N,N´-naphthyl)]+ (2a) which is common to both 1 and 2. The density functional theory, at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) basis set for H, C, N, and Cl atoms and LanL2DZ for Ru ions, was used for the optimization of the 2a structure. The natural bond orbital and quantum theory of atoms in molecules analyses were employed to quantify the intramolecular interactions. The reproduction of experimental IR and NMR spectra proved the applicability of the chosen level of theory. The binding of 1 to bovine serum albumin was examined by spectrofluorimetry and molecular docking, with complementary results obtained. Compound 1 acted as a radical scavenger towards DPPH• and HO• radicals, along with high activity towards cancer prostate and colon cell lines.

Anabolic steroids are a group of commonly counterfeit substances used by individuals who want to gain weight and muscles. Testosterone propionate (TP), an ester analog of testosterone, belongs to this group and its spectroscopic analysis is important especially when it is improperly labeled and misused. In this contribution quantum chemical methods, at the B3LYP/6- 311++G(d,p) level of theory, were applied for the prediction of the vibrational (IR and Raman) and UV-VIS spectra of TP. The applicability of the chosen level of theory was proven based on the comparison between experimental and theoretical bond lengths and angles. The most prominent bands in the IR and Raman spectra were assigned and correlated with the calculated ones. The electronic spectra were also analyzed and the assignments were made based on the Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) calculations. The orbitals included in the most intense transitions were visualized and possible solvent effects were discussed. The presented results proved the applicability of the DFT methods for the prediction of spectra that could lead to the counterfeit substances determination.