Properties and biological activity of [Rh(COD)(N–N)]BF4 and [IrCl2(COD)(N–N)]BF4 polypyridyl complexes

Square planar rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(COD)(N–N)]BF4 (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, N–N = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (1), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) (2), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dpphen) (3), 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dmbpy) (4), dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]-phenazine (dppz) (5), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmphen) (6)) and octahedral iridium(III) complexes [IrCl2(COD)(N–N)]BF4 (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, N–N = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (7), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) (8), 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dmbpy) (9)) have been obtained and characterized using spectroscopic methods. They are active agents towards Caco-2, Sk-mel, SNB-19 and C-32 tumor cells. Complexes 3, 5 and 6 are also efficient antibacterial agents against Gram-positive bacteria and compound 3 shows antifungal activity against AD1–9 and FY yeast strains.

Graphical abstractCyclooctadiene complexes [Rh(COD)(N–N)]BF4 and [IrCl2(COD)(N–N)]BF4 with 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2′-bipyridine and their derivatives are active agents against Caco-2, Sk-mel, SNB-19 and C-32 tumor cells. The most effective cytostatic agents are compounds with 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline and dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]-phenazine (dppz). They are also efficient antibacterial agents against Gram-positive bacteria.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Rhodium(I) and iridium(III) complexes with polypyridyl ligands have been prepared. ► All complexes show high antitumor activity. ► The iridium complexes are considerably more active than cisplatin. ► Rhodium compounds are active agents against Gram-positive bacteria.