Synthesis, structural characterization and cytotoxicity of nickel(II) complexes containing 3,3-dialkyl/aryl-1-benzoylthiourea ligands

•Ni(II) complexes with 3,3-dialkyl/aryl-1-benzoylthiourea ligands have been prepared.•Ni(II) complexes have been characterized by analytical, spectral and X-ray crystallographic techniques.•Complexes show significant cytotoxicity against T47D cell line.

Six square planar Ni(II) complexes of 3,3-dialkyl/aryl-1-benzoylthiourea derivatives have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, and electronic, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopic techniques. A cis-O2S2 disposition in complexes 3, 4 and 5 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The cytotoxicity of the 3,3-dialkyl/aryl-1-benzoylthiourea molecules and their complexes was measured against human ductal breast carcinoma cell line (T47D). Cytotoxicity increased after the complexation of the ligands to nickel(II). In particular, the study showed that complexes 3 and 4 are the most cytotoxic against T47D cell lines while they did not affect the normal human dermal fibroblast cell line (HDF).

Graphical abstractNickel(II) complexes of the type [Ni(L)2] have been prepared from the reaction between NiCl2·6H2O and 3,3-dialkyl/aryl-1-benzoylthiourea ligands (HL) in ethanol and characterized by analytical, spectral and X-ray crystallography techniques. Complexes exhibit cytotoxicity against human ductal breast carcinoma cell line (T47D).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide