Copper(II) complexes with β-diketones and N-donor heterocyclic ligands: Crystal structure, spectral properties, and cytotoxic activity

Several copper complexes of the type [Cu(O-O)(N-N)X] has been prepared and fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Its vitro cytotoxicity have been also studied. The complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline are more active than carboplatin. As example, the compound [Cu(BTACl)(Phen)NO3] inhibits the growth of K562 cells with an IC50 value equal to 2.1 μM.