Synthesis And Fluorescence And In Vitro Cytotoxicity Studies Of Some Re(I) Diimine Complexes

Abstract

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the world. There are conventional methods for cancer treatment, but each has its limitations or drawbacks. These circumstances have led researchers to look for new cytotoxic agents which could be used for cancer treatment. Here, convenient one-pot synthesis of several photoluminescent rhenium (I) diimine complexes and their screening for anticancer properties are presented. The rhenium(I) complexes include fac- CO₃ (Bipy)ReCl (1), fac,</itali>- CO₃ (Phen)ReCl (2), fac,</itali>-CO₃ (2,9-Me₂Phen)ReCl (3), fac,</itali>- CO₃ (2,9-Me₂-4,7-Ph₂Phen)ReCl (4),CO₃(Quinox)Re(&mu- O C ₅ H₁₁ ) ₂ Re CO₃ - (Quinox) (5), [CO₃ Re((&mu- O C ₅ H₁₁ ) ₂ Re<sub> CO₃] ₂ (&mu-Pyrazine) ₂ (6), [CO<sub>3</sub Re(&mu- O C ₅ H₁₁ ) ₂ Re(CO₃ ] ₂ (&mu-4,4'-Bipy) ₂ (7), and [(CO<sub>3</sub (2,9- Me₂-Phen)Re(&µ-H)Re(2,9- Me₂Phen)( CO₃ ]+[( CO₃) Re (&µ- O C ₅ H₁₁ ) Re CO₃ ]- (8). The complexes have been characterized using spectroscopic techniques and the molecular structures of 3-8 have been confirmed through X-ray crystal structure determinations. As expected, these complexes exhibit fluorescence. The anticancer properties of 1-8 are evaluated using the human prostate cancer cell line (PC-3) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7A). The results of this study demonstrate that these complexes have significant anticancer properties. For example, the complex 6 is highly effective against MCF-7A and the complex 1 is highly effective against PC-3. Therefore, these complexes can potentially find applications in the treatment of some cancers.