The hexacoordinate silicon(IV) complexes [NEt4]2[Si(NCS)6] (2), [K(18‐crown‐6)]2[Si(NCS)6]·2CH3CN (3·2CH3CN), and cis‐[(acac)2Si(NCS)2] (cis‐4; acac = acetylacetonato‐O, O) were synthesized, starting from Si(NCS)4 (1). Compounds 1, 2, 3·2CH3CN, and cis‐4 were structurally characterized in the solid state (13C, 15N (cis‐4 only), and 29Si MAS NMR; crystal structure analyses) and in solution (1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR; cis‐4 only). The experimental investigations were complemented by computational studies (RI‐MP2 geometry optimizations of 1, [Si(NCS)6]2—, cis‐4, and trans‐4; calculations of the 29Si NMR chemical shifts using the optimized structures).

Twofold sila-substitution (C/Si exchange) of the clinically used RXR-selective retinoid agonist bexarotene leads to disila-bexarotene, which displays pharmacological potency similar to that of the parent carbon compound, as shown in a HeLa-cell-based RXR assay. Formal exchange of the SiCH₂CH₂ Si group in disila-bexarotene with a SiCH₂Si or SiOSi moiety leads to the disila-bexarotene analogues 8 and 9. The silicon compounds 8 and 9 were synthesized in multistep syntheses, starting from HC≡C(CH₃)₂SiCH₂Si(CH₃)₂C≡CH and HC≡C(CH₃)₂SiOSi(CH₃)₂C≡CH, respectively. The key step in the syntheses of 8 and 9 is a cobalt-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction that affords the 1,3-disilaindane and 2-oxa-1,3-disilaindane skeletons. Disila-bexarotene and its analogues 8 and 9 were studied for their biological effects relative to all-trans retinoic acid in cultured human pluripotent stem cells. The parent carbon compound bexarotene was included in some of these biological studies. Although the silicon-containing bexarotene analogues disila-bexarotene, 8, and 9 appear not to regulate the differentiation of TERA2.cl.SP12 stem cells, preliminary evidence indicates that these compounds may possess enhanced functions over the parent compound bexarotene, such as induction and regulation of cell death and cell numbers. The biological data obtained indicate that bexarotene, contrary to the silicon-containing analogues disila-bexarotene, 8, and 9, may partially act to induce cell differentiation.

Background: Chemical bonding of the drug onto surfaces by means of spacer molecules is accompanied with a reduction of the biological activity of the drug due to a constricted mobility since normally only short spacer molecule like aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APMS) are used for drug coupling. This work aimed to study covalent attachment of heparin to titanium(oxide) surfaces by varying the length of the silane coupling agent, which should affect the biological potency of the drug due to a higher mobility with longer spacer chains.

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