Metal–Nitrosyl complexes as a source of new vasodilators: Strategies derived from systematic chemistry and nitrosyl ligand reactivity

A series of nitrosyl complexes of empirical formula Kn[M(CN)5NO], where M = V, Cr, Mn and Co and n = 3, or M = Mo and n = 4, have been prepared which are notional analogues of the widely used vasodilator sodium nitroprusside. Their reactivity towards common nucleophiles (OH−, NH2R, NHR2, HS− and RS−), acid and photolysis has been investigated to elucidate the desired properties required of new metal nitrosyls which may have some potential as new non‐cyanide‐based vasodilators.