Biochemistry of metallocenes. Identification of the major metabolite of acetylruthenocene.

1. After oral administration of acetylruthenocene to rats, metabolites were detected in bile and urine. 2. The major metabolite, which is present in both bile and urine, is a glucuronide with the structure: C5H5-Ru-C5H4-CO-CH2-O-C6H9O6 3. The metabolite was identified by mass spectrometry of the permethylated glucuronide and mass spectrometry and n.m.r. of the aglycone. 4. The nature of the metabolite is discussed, and a comparison is made with the metabolism of the benzene analogue, acetophenone.