One Step Up in Antiproliferative Activity: The Ru-Zn Complex [RuCp(PPh3)2-μ-dmoPTA-1κP:2κ2N,N′-ZnCl2](CF3SO3)

Abstract

The synthesis, characterization and antiproliferative activity of the bimetallic Ru-Zn complex [RuCp(PPh3)2-μ- dmoPTA-1κP:2κ2N,N′-ZnCl2](CF3SO3) (4) and the monometallic Ru complex [RuCp(PPh3)2(dmoPTA-1κP)](CF3SO3) (5) are presented. Against human lung, cervix, breast, and colon solid tumor cell lines, complex 4 showed an enhanced antiproliferative activity (GI50 = 30–83 nM) when compared to its parent complex[RuCp(PPh3)2(HdmoPTA-1κP)](CF3SO3) (2). Additionally, it was significantly more active against the breast cancer cell line T-47D than its sibling cobalt complex [RuCp(PPh3)2-μ-dmoPTA- 1κP:2κ2N,N′-CoCl2](CF3SO3) (3). When evaluated against nontumor human cell line BJ-hTert, complex 4 was 3–8 times less active, indicating a large selectivity for tumor cells, while compound 5 was not selective.