Tuning the structure of aminoferrocene-based anticancer prodrugs to prevent their aggregation in aqueous solution

Substitution of N-benzyl for an N-propargyl residue in the anticancer prodrug 4-(N-benzyl-N-ferrocenylaminocarbonyloxymethyl)phenylboronic acid pinacol ester led to reduction of its lipophilicity, improvement of its water solubility, decrease of its propensity towards aggregation and dramatic increase of its ROS-generating properties without any negative effect on its anticancer activity.154