Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Preliminary Biological Studies of Several Heterocyclic Transition Metal Carbonyl Complexes

Abstract

The reaction of molybdenum, tungsten and manganese carbonyls with several thiazole heterocycle ligands yielded a number of coordinated transition metal complexes 1–10. Of these complexes 1–6 are new compounds which have not been reported to date. The structures of new compounds were characterized by FT‐IR and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 1–10 are carbon monoxide releasing molecules that show structure‐related anti‐cancer activity. The cytotoxicity of all compounds on Hela cells was evaluated by MTT assay, and the results show that carbon monoxide releasing molecules containing such Schiff base ligands may have biomedical applications for their anti‐tumor effect.

Aspects of Carbon Monoxide in Form of CO‐Releasing Molecules Used in Cancer Treatment: More Light on the Way

“…The complex caused certain morphological changes to the cervical cancer cells, indicating an apoptotic cell state, suggesting a potential use as an anticancer agent for breast or cervical cancers, with the advantage of a favourable light-controlled CO release [ 24 ]. Hu and colleagues [ 32 ] designed a series of N-substituted molybdenum, tungsten, and manganese carbonyl complexes containing various heterocycles ( Figure 3(C) ) which were tested for cytotoxicity on HeLa cells. Apart from complex 4, the rest of series complexes exert modest inhibitory effects on HeLa cells, without significant cytotoxicity.…”

“…Apart from complex 4, the rest of series complexes exert modest inhibitory effects on HeLa cells, without significant cytotoxicity. Among them, complex 3 was the most potent, with an IC 50 of 37.22 μ M [ 32 ]. Interesting are also the relatively slow CO-releasing cobalt-containing CORMs ( Figure 3(D) ) designed by Gong et al [ 33 ].…”