Heterobimetallic ferrocenylthiosemicarbazone palladium(II) complexes: Synthesis, electrochemistry and antiplasmodial evaluation

• Heterobimetallic ferrocenylthiosemicarbazone complexes have been prepared.
• Various phosphorus ligands occupy the fourth coordination site.
• The antiplasmodial activity of the ferrocenylthiosemicarbazone complexes was evaluated.
• The complexes displayed inhibitory effects in the low micromolar range.

Heterobimetallic ferrocenylthiosemicarbazone palladium(II) complexes (3–5) were prepared through the cleavage of a chlorido-bridged palladium ferrocenylthiosemicarbazone intermediate (2) using various P-donor ligands. These compounds were screened for antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive (NF54) and chloroquine-resistant (Dd2) Plasmodium falciparum strains, exhibiting biological activity in the low micromolar range. The compounds generally display well-resolved electrochemically reversible one-electron transfer processes for the ferrocenyl group. The half-wave potential for the Fe(II)/Fe(III) couple is electronically influenced by the type of P-donor group through the palladium(II) centre.

Heterobimetallic ferrocenylthiosemicarbazone palladium(II) complexes were synthesized through cleavage of the chlorido-bridged ferrocenlythiosemicarbazone tetranuclear palladium precursor. The ferrocenylthiosemicarbazone palladium(II) complexes were evaluated for their antiplasmodial activity and displayed moderate inhibitory effects in the low micromolar range against chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide