Synthesis, characterization and in vitro biological studies of titanocene(IV) derivatives containing different carboxylato ligands

Several titanocene(IV) complexes with different carboxylato ligands such as 3-methoxyphenylacetic acid (3-mpa-COOH), 4-methoxyphenylacetic acid (4-mpa-COOH), 1,4-benzodioxane-6-carboxylic acid (bdo-COOH), 2,5-dimethyl-3-furoic acid (dmf-COOH) and 4-(4-morpholinyl)benzoic acid (mbz-COOH) have been synthesized. All the novel titanocene(IV) carboxylate complexes have been characterized by traditional spectroscopic methods, with the molecular structures of [Ti(η5-C5H5)2(OOC-dmf)2] (7) and [Ti(η5-C5H4Me)2(OOC-dmf)2] (8) being determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Complexes were tested against the tumour cell line A2780 (ovarian cancer) and showed notable cytotoxicity. In addition, a study of the interaction of 7 and 8 with DNA (probably one of the biological target-molecules of the titanocene derivatives) monitored by UV–visible spectroscopy has been carried out.

Several titanocene(IV) complexes with different carboxylato ligands have been synthesized, characterized and tested against the tumour cell line A2780 (ovarian carcinoma) showing notable cytotoxicity higher than that of titanocene(IV) dichloride. A study of the interaction of some of the synthesized titanocene derivatives with DNA has been carried out observing interaction.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Synthesis of titanocene(IV) complexes with different carboxylato ligands.
► Determination of the X-ray structure of two titanocene(IV) carboxylato derivatives.
► Study of the cytotoxicity of the metal complexes against A2780 cancer cell line.
► Qualitative UV–vis study of the interactions of the synthesized complexes with DNA.