One-dimensional chiral copper (II) complexes with novel nano-structures and superior antitumor activity

• CuII-complexes based on 1, 10-phenanthroline and alanine have been synthesized.
• TEM was used to analyze the difference of complex 1 and 2.
• Inhibition ratio and cell viability assay have been tested.
• Energy gap were calculated from free to coordinated ligands.
• UV–vis, fluorescence and CV were conducted to characterize three compounds.

Three novel copper(II) compounds of formulas {[Cu(Phen)(Ala)]·NO3·H2O}n (1), {[Cu(Phen)(Ala)]·NO3}n (2) and [Cu(Ala)2]n (3) have been synthesized and determined by X-ray diffraction. 1 and 2 are shown in one dimensional long-chain chiral structures, and 3 is a two dimensional checkerboard-type structure. Both 1 and 2 displayed a higher anticancer activity than 3 against various cancer cells, even higher than the similar mononuclear complexes and clinical anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil. The noncancerous cell lines (CCC-HEL-1) have showed that complexes 1–3 have hardly any cytotoxicity. Transmission electron microscopy was studied to show the nano-structure and π function of two complexes. The ligand 1,10-phenanthroline inserted into its enantiomer lead complex 1 stable, and the π–π interaction outside the chain made complex 2 active, which is easy to crack and pile up together. In addition, the energy gaps, UV–vis, luminescent and cyclic voltammetry were experimented to show the stable one dimensional long-chain chiral structure and the π function of two complexes.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide