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

Abstract

AbstractThis 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(BP3Se2)Cl(PPh3)]Cl(1)and mixed [Ru(BP3Se2)(O−O)(PPh3)]Cl (2 a,2 b,2 c) systems with diseleno‐ligandBP3Se2: 1,9‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐3,7‐diselenanonane as a primary donor and O−O: α,β‐diketones as a secondary donors. In1,BP3Se2is linked in tetradentate N2Se2form while in mixed complexes, present a tridentate NSe2linkage. 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 chas the best cytotoxic performance (IC50=2.8 μmol/L) even higher than metallodrug cisplatin. In this regard, cytotoxic activity is strongly determined by experimental redox potential (E0) and calculated molar volume (VM) of the compounds.