Synthesis, characterization, and fluorescence and cytotoxicity studies of a tetrarhenium molecular rectangle

An one-pot reaction of Re2(CO)10 with 4,4′-bipyridyl (4,4′-bpy) in refluxed 1-pentanol afforded the molecular rectangle, [(CO)3Re(μ-OC5H11)2Re(CO)3]2{μ-(4,4′-bpy)}2 (I), in almost quantitative yield. The molecular rectangle, I, has been characterized spectroscopically and by X-ray crystal structure determination. Compound I exhibits fluorescence and is cytotoxic against cancer cell lines.

Graphical abstractThe molecular rectangle [(CO)3Re(μ-OC5H11)2Re(CO)3]2{μ-(4,4′-bpy)}2 (I), which is cytotoxic against cancer cells, has been synthesized in high yield from one-pot reaction of Re2(CO)10 with 4,4′-bpy in refluxed 1-pentanol.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide