Mixed Ru^IIComplexes Containing Diseleno‐Ligand and α,β‐Diketones Donors with Anticancer Activity. Synthesis, Characterization, Electrochemical and DFT Studies

Abstract

This work presents the synthesis, characterization, electrochemical studies, DFT calculations and in vitro evaluation of antiproliferative activity in HeLa cells of four novel direct bonded ruthenium-selenium compounds. The complexes are [Ru(BP3Se 2 )Cl(PPh 3 )]Cl (1) and mixed [Ru(BP3Se 2 )(OÀ O)(PPh 3 )]Cl (2 a, 2 b, 2 c) systems with diseleno-ligand BP3Se 2 : 1,9-bis(2pyridyl)-3,7-diselenanonane as a primary donor and OÀ O: α,βdiketones as a secondary donors. In 1, BP3Se 2 is linked in tetradentate N 2 Se 2 form while in mixed complexes, present a tridentate NSe 2 linkage. Diketone nature and electroactive groups has a fundamental role in the modulation of the electronic, steric and lipophilic properties as well as in its cytotoxic activity. Among the tested compounds, 2 c has the best cytotoxic performance (IC 50 = 2.8 μmol/L) even higher than metallodrug cisplatin. In this regard, cytotoxic activity is strongly determined by experimental redox potential (E 0 ) and calculated molar volume (V M ) of the compounds.

Metal-based compounds containing selenium: An appealing approach towards novel therapeutic drugs with anticancer and antimicrobial effects

“…The Ru(II) complex (Fig. 2) showed the best antiproliferative performance (IC 50 = 2.81 μM in cervix cancer cells) among the complexes, and also displayed a higher cytotoxic effect compared to cisplatin (IC 50 = 5.10 μM) [98]. A Ru(II)…”