Synthesis, crystal structures, DNA interaction and anticancer activity of organobismuth(V) complexes

• Three organobismuth(V) complexes were synthesized and their structures were characterized.
• The interaction of the complex Ph3Bi(OOCC6H3F2)2 with calf-thymus DNA was investigated.
• Anticancer activity of three complexes were also investigated.

We have synthesized three novel organobismuth(V) complexes Ph3Bi(OOCC6H3F2)21, Ph3Bi(OOCC6H4CF3)22 and Ph3Bi(OOCC4H3S)23, and their structures were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, 1H NMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray crystallography showed that all of the bismuth atoms adopt distorted trigonal–bipyramidal geometries. The complex molecules lead to one-dimensional chain structure and two-dimensional network structure through C–H…X (X = O, F, C) interactions. The interaction of the complex 1 with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated by UV absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence emission spectroscopy and viscosity. All results revealed that the complex 1 binds to DNA via a intercalative mode. Furthermore the proliferation inhibitory activities of the three complexes on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were investigated. The results indicated that all of the three complexes have superior inhibition of cellular proliferation.

In the complex Ph3Bi(OOCC4H3S)2, the complex molecules lead to a one-dimensional chain structure through C–H…C interactions and two-dimensional structure is obtained through C–H…O interactions.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide