Chlorido Ligands Research Articles

A study on complexation of Zn(II) salts with 4-aryl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinolines: The influence of anions on the complex structures and their luminescent properties

A novel ligand, 6‑methoxy-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinoline (PQ) was synthesized and studied for its interaction with ZnX2.nH2O (X: Cl-, OAc-,NO3−) to form three complexes of the type [Zn(X2)(PQ)(H2O)n] (Zn1-Zn3) with high yields, ranging from 75 to 94 %. The structures of Zn1–Zn3 were fully characterized using ESI mass spectrometry, IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (for Zn1 and Zn3). Spectroscopic analyses revealed that Spectroscopic analyses revealed that the central atom Zn(II) in Zn1, Zn2, and Zn3 has the coordination numbers of 4, 5, and 6, respectively. In these complexes, Zn(II) coordinates with the PQ ligand through its two nitrogen atoms, while the remaining coordination sites are occupied by anions such as Cl-, OAc, NO3−, or by H₂O. The results also indicate that the optical properties of the Zn(II) complexes depend not only on the primary organic ligand QP but also on the secondary inorganic ligands. In THF, the complexes Zn1 and Zn3, which contain chlorido and nitrato ligands exhibit intense fluorescence blue emissions at 443 and 462 nm with quantum yields of 0.66 and 0.70, respectively. Although the complex Zn2 has the weakest emission in THF, it exhibited the strongest blue emission intensity in solid state. In addition, computational studies provided insights into the structural and electronic properties, showing a strong correlation with experimental data. The calculated absorption and emission spectra were promarily based on the transition between HOMO and LUMO (π-π*) with high oscillator strength.

Unusual relaxation phenomena in the 57Fe Mössbauer spectra of FeX3 (X = Cl, NO3, ClO4, MnO4, 1/2(S2O8)) complex salts containing urea, methylated urea, chlorido or aquo ligands: studies on the influence of the ligand sphere and deuteration

Abstract Mössbauer spectra of FeIII complex salts with urea-related ligands show a broadened line due to magnetic relaxation. The origin of the relaxation is not known, mostly spin–spin type is considered. A study of a large number of compounds can be helpful to show differences in the Mössbauer parameters and to see the infuence of the chemical environment on the relaxation. We have evaluated the Mössbauer spectra of 13 compounds recorded at various temperatures with the Blume–Tjon two-state relaxation model and with the (unrestricted) Afanasev–Gorobchenko model. The latter showed significant differences between some salts, and proved the presence of spin–lattice relaxation. Graphical abstract

Crystal structure of (μ2-7-{[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino-1κ3 N,N′,N′′]methyl}-5-chloroquinolin-8-olato-2κN;1:2κ2 O)trichlorido-1κCl,2κ2 Cl-dizinc(II)

The title compound, [Zn2(C22H18ClN4O)Cl3], is a dinuclear zinc(II) complex with three chlorido ligands and one pentadentate ligand containing quinolin-8-olato and bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine groups. One of the two ZnII atom adopts a tetrahedral geometry and coordinates two chlorido ligands with chelate coordination of the N and O atoms of the quinolin-8-olato group in the ligand. The other ZnII atom adopts a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal geometry, and coordinates one chlorido-O atom of the quinolin-8-olato group and three N atoms of the bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine unit. In the crystal, two molecules are associated through a pair of intermolecular C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, forming a dimer with an R 2 2(12) ring motif. Another intermolecular C—H...Cl hydrogen bond forms a spiral C(8) chain running parallel to the [010] direction. The dimers are linked by these two intermolecular C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, generating a ribbon sheet structure in ac plane. Two other intermolecular C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds form a C(7) chain along the c-axis direction and another C(7) chain generated by a d-glide plane. The molecules are cross-linked through the four intermolecular C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network.

Silver(I) and gold(III) complexes with miconazole: The influence of the metal ion on the antimicrobial activity of the coordinated azole

To develop a new antimicrobial agent, we used the clinically approved antifungal azole, miconazole (mcz), as a ligand for the synthesis of silver(I) and gold(III) complexes. The new complexes [Ag(NO3-O)(mcz-N)2] (1) and [AuCl3(mcz-N)] (2) were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, while the crystal structure of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that in both complexes, mcz is monodentately coordinated to the silver(I) and gold(III) ions through the imidazole nitrogen atom N3. In the solid state, complex 1 contains two mcz ligands and monodentately coordinated nitrate in the third position, while in the case of 2 gold(III) ion is coordinated by one mcz and three chlorido ligands, resulting in the expected square-planar arrangement around the metal center. DFT and TDDFT calculations were employed to elucidate the electronic structures and thermodynamic stability of the synthesized complexes in solution to complement the experimental findings. The coordination of mcz to silver(I) and gold(III) ions leads to an enhancement of its activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, while against the panel of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida species, only 2 shows improved activity compared to mcz. Both complexes 1 and 2 were tested in vitro for their antimycobacterial activity against the strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and showed good growth inhibition with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 3.12 and 8.69 μM, respectively, with complex 1 being twice effective as mcz (MIC = 7.50 μM). Complex 2 significantly reduced the production of pyocyanin, a virulence factor in P. aeruginosa controlled by quorum sensing, while this effect was not observed for 1.

Synthesis and Characterization of New Copper(II) Coordination Compounds with Methylammonium Cations

We synthesized four new copper(II) complexes with acetato and chlorido ligands and methylammonium (MA), dimethylammonium (DMA), and tetramethylammonium (TMA) counterions: (MA)4[Cu2Ac4Cl2]Cl2·2H2O (1), (DMA)2[Cu2Ac4Cl2] (2), (DMA)4[Cu2Ac4Cl2]Cl2·2H2O (3), and (TMA)5[Cu2Ac4Cl]Cl4·4H2O (4). All compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements, FTIR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Complexes 1, 2, and 3 consist of a dinuclear coordination anion [Cu2(Ac)4Cl2]2− with bridging acetato ligands arranged in a paddle-wheel conformation and square-pyramidal coordination around Cu(II) atoms, while the coordination anion in compound 4 is a polymeric chain, parallel to the c axis, with Cu2(Ac)4 units connected through bridging chlorido ligands. Magnetic measurements carried out between 2 K and 300 K indicate strong antiferromagnetic interactions between Cu(II) ions. The effective magnetic moments range from 1.94 μB to 2.21 μB, exceeding the spin-only value for Cu(II) ions (μeff=1.73 μB) and suggesting significant orbital contributions to the magnetic moment. Thermogravimetric analysis of all complexes showed a multistep decomposition behavior yielding elemental copper as the final product.

Synthesis and Characterization of (OC‐6‐33)‐Dichloridobis((4‐(13C2)ethoxy)‐4‐(13C4)oxobutanoato)bis((15N)ethylamine)platinum(IV). Time‐Dependent NMR Spectroscopy and HPLC‐MS Investigations on its Stability in Cell Culture Medium

AbstractIn order to investigate the stability of an experimental anticancer platinum(IV) prodrug in cell culture media, (OC‐6‐33)‐dichloridobis((4‐ethoxy)‐4‐oxobutanoato)bis(ethylamine)‐platinum(IV) was synthesized with 15N labeled equatorial and fully 13C labeled axial ligands. The title compound as well as its stability in cell culture media was investigated in depth by 1H, 13C, 15N, and 195Pt one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy as well as HPLC‐MS. Different platinum(IV) compounds as a result of hydrolysis were detected in cell culture media as main species. Besides hydrolysis of one or both equatorial chlorido ligands, also hydrolysis of the ester moiety in the axial ligands and release of ethanol could be observed. The different mono and dihydroxidoplatinum(IV) species were proven by 195Pt and 13C NMR spectroscopy as well as HPLC coupled to MS and HRMS. Reduction of the title compound to the corresponding platinum(II) analog or reaction of the complex with ingredients of the cell culture media were not observed. In cell culture medium supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS), the formation of hydrolysis species was slowed down by a factor of two.

Expanding on the plecstatin anticancer agent class: exchange of the chlorido ligand for N-heterocyclic ligands

Expanding on the plecstatin anticancer agent class: exchange of the chlorido ligand for N-heterocyclic ligands

Chlorido-[(1,2,5,6-η)-cyclo-octa-1,5-diene](1-ethyl-4-isobutyl-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl-idene)rhodium(I).

A new neutral triazole-based N-heterocyclic carbene rhodium(I) complex [RhCl(C8H12)(C8H15N3)], has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The complex crystallizes with two mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The central rhodium(I) atom has a distorted square-planar coordination environment, formed by a cyclo-octa-1,5-diene (COD) ligand, an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand, and a chlorido ligand. The bond lengths are unexceptional. A weak inter-molecular non-standard hydrogen-bonding inter-action exists between the chlorido and NHC ligands.

1-(Anthracen-9-ylmeth-yl)-1,4,7,10-tetra-aza-cyclododeca-ne]chlorido-zinc(II) nitrate.

In the title salt, [ZnCl(C23H30N4)]NO3, the central ZnII atom of the complex cation is coordinated in a square-pyramidal arrangement by four nitro-gen atoms from cyclen (1,4,7,10-tetra-aza-cyclo-dodeca-ne) in the basal plane and one chlorido ligand in the apical position. The anthracene group attached to cyclen contributes to the crystal packing through inter-molecular T-shaped π inter-actions. Additionally, the nitrate anion participates in inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds with cyclen.

A theoretical study of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra and local environment in copper(II) complexes with different imidazole and chlorido ligands.

Copper(II) chloride anionic coordination complexes with different imidazole-derived ligands due to the potential cytotoxic activity play the important role in protein. By investigating the experimental electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra of [CuCl(C6H10N2)4]Cl, [CuCl(C6H10N2)4]Cl, [CuCl2(C4H6N2)4], and [Cu2Cl2(C5H8N2)6]Cl2·2H2O, the local structure of the corresponding Cu2+ centers and the role of different ligands are obtained. Based on the well-agreed EPR parameters and the d-d transitions (10Dq), the four Cu2+ centers show tetragonal and orthorhombic distortion, corresponding to the different anisotropies of EPR signals. In addition, the general rules of governing the impact of methanol in imidazolylalkyl derivatives are also discussed, especially the influence on the local environment (symmetry, distortion, covalency, and crystal field) of above four copper(II) chloride anionic coordination complexes. Therefore, the obtained results in this study will be beneficial to provide a theoretical basis for the experimental design of desired copper-containing imidazolyl alkyl derivatives.

Exploring Raloxifene-Based Metallodrugs: A Versatile Vector Combined with Platinum(II), Palladium(II) and Nickel(II) Dichlorides and Carborates against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses challenges in therapy due to the absence of target expression such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Frequently, the treatment of TNBC involves the combination of several therapeutics. However, an enhanced therapeutic effect can be also achieved within a single molecule. The efficacy of raloxifene can be improved by designing a raloxifene-based hybrid drug bearing a 2,2'-bipyridine moiety (2). Integration of platinum(II), palladium(II), and nickel(II) complexes into this structure dramatically changed the cytotoxicity. The platinum(II) dichloride complex 3 did not demonstrate any activity, while palladium(II) and nickel(II) dichloride complexes 4 and 5 exhibited various cytotoxic behavior towards different types of hormone-receptor positive (HR+) cancer and TNBC cell lines. The replacement of the two chlorido ligands in 3-5 with a dicarbollide (carborate) ion [C2B9H11]2- resulted in reduced activity of compounds 6, 7, and 8. However, the palladacarborane complex 7 demonstrated higher selectivity towards TNBC. Furthermore, the mechanism of action was shifted from cytotoxic to explicitly cytostatic with detectable proliferation arrest and accelerated aging, characterized by senescence-associated phenotype of TNBC cells. This study provides valuable insights into the development of hybrid therapeutics against TNBC.

Dual Antimicrobial-Anticancer Potential, Hydrolysis, and DNA/BSA Binding Affinity of a Novel Water-Soluble Ruthenium-Arene Ethylenediamine Schiff base (RAES) Organometallic

The need for a systematic approach in developing new metal-based drugs with dual anticancer-antimicrobial properties is emphasized by the vulnerability of cancer patients to bacterial infections. In this context, a novel organometallic assembly was designed, featuring ruthenium(II) coordination with p-cymene, one chlorido ligand, and a bidentate neutral Schiff base derived from 4-methoxybenzaldehyde and N,N-dimethylethylenediamine. The compound was extensively characterized in both solid-state and solution, employing single crystal X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and density functional theory, alongside Hirshfeld surface analysis. The hydrolysis kinetic was thoroughly investigated, revealing the important role of the chloro-aqua equilibrium in the dynamics of binding with deoxyribonucleic acid and bovine serum albumin. Notably, the aqua species exhibited a pronounced affinity for deoxyribonucleic acid, engaging through electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions, while the chloro species demonstrated groove-binding properties. Interaction with albumin revealed distinct binding mechanisms. The aqua species displayed covalent binding, contrasting with the ligand-like van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonding observed with the chloro specie. Molecular docking studies highlighted site-specific interactions with biomolecular targets. Remarkably, the compound exhibited wide spectrum moderate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans, coupled with low micromolar cytotoxic activity against human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and significant activity against human leukemic monocyte lymphoma cells. The presented findings encourage further development of this compound, promising avenues for its evolution into a versatile therapeutic agent targeting both infectious diseases and cancer.

Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of poly[di-μ3-chlorido-di-μ2-chlorido-bis[4-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)aniline]dicadmium(II)

The title coordination polymer with the 4-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)aniline Schiff base ligand (L, C13H12N2), [Cd2Cl4(C13H12N2)] n (1), exhibits a columnar structure extending parallel to [100]. The columns are aligned in parallel and are decorated with chelating L ligands on both sides. They are elongated into a supramolecular sheet extending parallel to (01\overline{1}) through π–π stacking interactions involving L ligands of neighbouring columns. Adjacent sheets are packed into the tri-periodic supramolecular network through weak C—H...Cl hydrogen-bonding interactions that involve the phenyl CH groups and chlorido ligands. The thermal stability and photoluminescent properties of (1) have also been examined.

In defense of platinum: Amino acidic polydentate ligands as a shield against sulphur-donor nucleophilic attacks

The interactions of sulfur-containing peptides and proteins with platinum-based anticancer agents are of significant interest in the field of bioinorganic chemistry. We previously modified the lead compound potassium {trichlorido[η2-(but-3-en-1-yl)-2-acetoxybenzoate]platinate(II)} (Pt-butene-ASA) by exchanging two chlorido ligands for an amino acid chelating ligand to improve its stability in aqueous solutions. In the current study, we demonstrate how this amino acid ligand strengthens the inertness of this class of complexes against sulfur-containing compounds. We incubated four complexes, each bearing an amino acid chelating ligand, with various sulfur-containing compounds of biological interest, such as DMSO, methionine, glutathione, and substance P. The reactions were monitored using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, allowing the identification by combination with IR ion spectroscopy of exotic pentacoordinate platinum(II) complexes as reaction intermediates. The results indicated that the reactivity of complexes 1–4 ((ethene,N-trans)(l-alaninato-N,O)chlorido(η2-ethene)platinate(II), (ethene,O-trans)(β-alaninato-N,O)chlorido(η2-ethene)platinate(II), (l-histidinato-N,N)chlorido(η2-ethene)platinate(II), and (olefin,N-trans)(l-alaninato-N,O)chlorido(η2-(but-3-en-1-yl)-2-acetoxy benzoate)platinate(II), respectively) is determined by the inner coordination sphere, and the addition of an amino acid ligand significantly reduces the rate of nucleophilic substitutions by sulfur-containing nucleophiles. In particular, the N,ethylene-trans isomers reacted only to a low extent with the free thiol in glutathione, while the O,ethylene-trans isomer was completely consumed within 2 h. Complex 4, the new lead compound, showed low reactivity towards S-nucleophiles in general, which confirms the concept of using amino acids as biocompatible bidentate ligands to adjust the reactivity and stability of this kind of metallodrugs.

Development of Cytotoxic GW7604-Zeise's Salt Conjugates as Multitarget Compounds with Selectivity for Estrogen Receptor- Positive Tumor Cells.

(E/Z)-3-(4-((E)-1-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylbut-1-enyl)phenyl)acrylic acid (GW7604) as a carrier was esterified with alkenols of various lengths and coordinated through the ethylene moiety to PtCl3, similar to Zeise's salt (K[PtCl3(C2H4)]). The resulting GW7604-Alk-PtCl3 complexes (Alk = Prop, But, Pent, Hex) degraded in aqueous solution only by exchange of the chlorido ligands. For example, GW7604-Pent-PtCl3 coordinated the amino acid alanine in the cell culture medium, bound the isolated nucleotide 5'-GMP, and interacted with the DNA (empty plasmid pSport1). It accumulated in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 cells primarily via cytosolic vesicles, while it was only marginally taken up in ER-negative SKBr3 cells. Accordingly, GW7604-Pent-PtCl3 and related complexes were inactive in SKBr3 cells. GW7604-Pent-PtCl3 showed high affinity to ERα and ERβ without mediating agonistic or ER downregulating properties. GW7604-Alk ligands also increased the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitory potency of the complexes. In contrast to Zeise's salt, the GW7604-Alk-PtCl3 complexes inhibited COX-1 and COX-2 to the same extent.

Tc(NO)(Cp)(PPh3)Cl] and [Tc(NO)(Cp)(PPh3)(NCCH3)](PF6), and Their Reactions with Pyridine and Chalcogen Donors.

Reactions of the technetium(I) nitrosyl complex [Tc(NO)(Cp)(PPh3)Cl] with triphenylphosphine chalcogenides EPPh3 (E = O, S, Se), and Ag(PF6) in a CH2Cl2/MeOH mixture (v/v, 2/1) result in an exchange of the chlorido ligand and the formation of [Tc(NO)(Cp)(PPh3)(EPPh3)](PF6) compounds. The cationic acetonitrile complex [Tc(NO)(Cp)(PPh3)(NCCH3)]+ is formed when the reaction is conducted in NCCH3 without additional ligands. During the isolation of the corresponding PF6- salt a gradual decomposition of the anion was detected in the solvent mixture applied. The yields and the purity of the product increase when the BF4- salt is used instead. The acetonitrile ligand is bound remarkably strongly to technetium and exchange reactions readily proceed only with strong donors, such as pyridine or ligands with 'soft' donor atoms, such as the thioether thioxane. Substitutions on the cyclopentadienyl ring do not significantly influence the ligand exchange behavior of the starting material. 99Tc NMR spectroscopy is a valuable tool for the evaluation of reactions of the complexes of the present study. The extremely large chemical shift range of this method allows the ready detection of corresponding ligand exchange reactions. The observed 99Tc chemical shifts depend on the donor properties of the ligands. DFT calculations support the discussions about the experimental results and provide explanations for some of the unusual findings.

Cis and trans isomers of Ru(III)-based complexes with lapachol: X-ray diffractions and DFT theoretical insights

Lapachol (lap) is widely studied due to its biological application, as well as its importance in the coordination chemistry field. The structure of cis and trans isomers of new ruthenium(III) complex [RuCl2(PPh3)2(lap)] is reported here. The complexes present one molecule of the natural product lapachol, coordinated as bidentate by oxygen atoms, two monodentate triphenylphosphines and two chlorido ligands in a cis or trans configurations. All neutral complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and these data were compared with Density Functional Theory (DFT) data results. This study highlights the stereochemistry and structural versatility of metal complexes containing lapachol as ligand.

Di-chlorido-(4,7-dimeth-oxy-1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N')zinc(II).

In the title complex, [ZnCl2(C14H12N2O2)], the ZnII atom is located on a twofold rotation axis and is fourfold coordinated by two chlorido ligands and a bidentate 4,7-meth-oxy-1,10-phenanthroline ligand in a distorted tetra-hedral environment. Weak π-π stacking inter-actions between adjacent 4,7-dimeth-oxy-1,10-phenanthroline rings [centroid-to-centroid distances = 3.5969 (11) and 3.7738 (11) Å] contribute to the alignment of the complexes in layers parallel to (01).

Novel Zn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) diflunisalato complexes with neocuproine and their exceptional antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines.

Three novel complexes of deprotonated diflunisal (dif) with neocuproine (neo) were synthesized and characterized via elemental, spectral (UV-vis, FTIR, fluorescence, and mass spectrometry), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Although the compounds shared a similar composition of [MCl(dif)(neo)], where M represents Zn(II) (1), Co(II) (2) and Cu(II) (3), only 1 and 2 were isostructural, while 3 differed in both the molecular and supramolecular structures. In all three complex molecules, the central atom is coordinated by two nitrogen atoms of neo in a bidentate chelate mode, and one chlorido ligand and dif is bonded in either a monodentate mode via one oxygen atom of the carboxylate in 1 and 2 or in a bidentate chelate mode via both carboxylate oxygen atoms in 3. All three compounds demonstrated remarkable antiproliferative activity against human prostate (PC-3), colon (HCT116) and breast (MDA-MB-468) cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the nanomolar range, with the lowest values observed in the case of PC-3 and MDA-MB-468 with 2 (20.0 nM) and 3 (31.1 nM), respectively. Moreover, complex 2, as the most active, was further investigated for its potential to induce perturbations in the cell cycle of PC-3 cells. The results indicated an induction of caspase-independent apoptosis. The interaction of the complexes with genomic DNA isolated from the respective cancer cell lines was evaluated for the intercalative mode, with binding strength correlated with the antiproliferative activity against PC-3 and MDA-MB-468 cancer cell lines.

N^N^C-Cyclometalated rhodium(III) complexes with isomeric pyrimidine-based ligands: unveiling the impact of isomerism on structural motifs, luminescence and cytotoxicity.

The impact of isomerism of pyrimidine-based ligands and their rhodium(III) complexes with regard to their structures and properties was investigated. Two isomeric ligands, 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2,5-diphenylpyrimidine (HL2,5) and 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2,6-diphenylpyrimidine (HL2,6), were synthesized. The ligands differ by the degree of steric bulk: the molecular structure of HL2,5 is more distorted due to presence of pyrazolyl and phenyl groups in the neighbouring positions 4 and 5 of the pyrimidine ring. The complexation of HL2,5 and HL2,6 with RhCl3 leads to the sp2 C-H bond activation, resulting in the isolation of two complexes, [RhL2,5(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH and [RhL2,6(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH (Solv = H2O, EtOH), with the deprotonated forms of the pyrazolylpyrimidine molecules which coordinate the Rh3+ ion as N^N^C-tridentate ligands. According to DFT modelling, the mechanism of the deprotonation involves (i) the C-H bond breaking in the 2-phenyl group followed by the coordination of the C atom to the Rh atom, (ii) the protonation of coordinated chlorido ligand, (iii) the ejection of the HCl molecule and (iv) the coordination of the H2O molecule. The ligand isomerism has an impact on emission properties and cytotoxicity of the complexes. Although the excited states of the complexes effectively deactivate through S0/T1 and S0/S1 crossings associated with the cleavage of the weak H2O ligands upon excitation, the [RhL2,5(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH complex appeared to be emissive in the solid state, while [RhL2,6(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH is non-emissive at all. The complexes show significant cytotoxic activity against cancerous HepG2 and Hep2 cell lines, with the [RhL2,6(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH complex being more active than its isomer [RhL2,5(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH. On the other hand, noticeable cytotoxicity of the latter against HepG2 is supplemented by its non-toxicity against non-cancerous MRC-5 cells.