Unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base Fe(III) and Cu(II) complexes were prepared by the coordination of some unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligands with CuCl2·2H2O or FeCl3·6H2O. The obtained complexes were characterized by ESI-MS, IR, and UV-Vis. The spectroscopic data with typical signals are in agreement with the suggested molecular formulae of the complexes. Their cyclic voltammetric studies in acetonitrile solutions showed that the Cu(II)/Cu(I) and Fe(III)/Fe(II) reduction processes are at (−)1.882–(−) 1.782 V and at (−) 1.317–(−) 1.164 V, respectively. The in vitro cytotoxicity of obtained complexes was screened for KB and Hep-G2 human cancer cell lines. The results showed that almost unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base complexes have good cytotoxicity. The synthetic complexes bearing the unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligands with different substituted groups in the salicyl ring indicate different cytotoxicity. The obtained Fe(III) complexes are more cytotoxic than Cu(II) complexes and relative unsymmetric Schiff base ligands.

A series of platinum(II) complexes with chiral Schiff base ligands derived from various salicylaldehydes with (R,R′)- and (S,S′)-cyclohexanediamine were synthesized and characterized by ESI-MS, IR, and NMR. Obtained spectra with typical signals were in agreement with suggested molecular formulae of the complexes. Their photophysical properties were studied by UV-visible and emission spectroscopies. The UV-Vis showed the typical band with low energy at visible range 400–500 nm for MLCT, and this band can emit the luminescent band with emission maximum wavelengths at 529–595 nm. The in vitro cytotoxicity of obtained platinum(II) complexes was screened for KB and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines. The results showed that (S)-enantiomers were more active than (R)-enantiomers and the different positions of methoxy group in salicyl ring gave different cytotoxicities.

Six Fe(III) complexes bearing unsymmetrical salen-type ligands derived from 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde and substituted salicylaldehydes were synthesized by coordinating the unsymmetrical salen-type ligands with FeCl3.6H2O. The synthetic complexes were characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS), effective magnetic moments (μeff), and infrared (IR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra. The spectroscopic data are in good agreement with the suggested molecular formulae of the complexes. Their cyclic voltammetric studies in acetonitrile solutions showed that the Fe(III)/Fe(II) reduction processes are electrochemically irreversible. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the obtained complexes was screened on human cancer cell lines KB (a subline of Hela tumor cell line) and HepG2 (a human liver cancer cell line) and a normal human cell line HEK-293 (Human Embryonic Kidney cell line). The results showed that the synthetic Fe(III) complexes are highly cytotoxic and quite selective. The synthetic complexes bearing unsymmetrical salen-type ligands with different substituted groups in the salicyl ring indicate different cytotoxicity.

An unsymmetrical salen-type Schiff base ligand, (Z)-1-(((2-((E)-(2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzylidene)amino)phenyl)amino)methylene)naphthalen-2(1H)-one, and its Zn(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Mn(II), and Fe(III) complexes were synthesized and characterized by mass (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra, and effective magnetic moments. The thermal analyses of the obtained ligand and metal complexes were conducted by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Antimicrobial activity of the unsymmetrical Schiff base ligand and its metal complexes were examined for Staphylococcus aureus as Gram-positive bacteria and Escherichia coli as Gram-negative bacteria. In vitro anticancer property of synthetic compounds was estimated against human cancer cell lines, a subline of Hela tumor cell line (KB), and a human liver cancer cell line (HepG-2) as well.