Synthesis, crystal structures, electrochemical studies and anti-tumor activities of three polynuclear organotin(IV) carboxylates containing ferrocenyl moiety

A novel ferrocene-containing ligand 3-trifluoromethyl-5-ferrocenyl -pyrazol-1-yl-acetic acid (LCOOH) and three organotin(IV) carboxylate derivatives [Ph4Sn2O(OCH3)(OOCL)]2(1), [BuSnO(OOCL)]6(2) and [Bu4Sn2O(OOCL2)2] (3) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by means of FT-IR, elemental analysis, 1H NMR, 119Sn NMR, X-ray crystallography and cyclic voltammetry. Both complexes 1 and 3 are centrosymmetric with ladder framework. Complex 2 is a hexanuclear one with drum structure. Furthermore, their anti-tumor activities were also evaluated, using HepG2 human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cells, A549 human lung carcinoma cells and B16-F10 melanoma cells. Complex 1 displayed the best cytotoxicity and can be pointed out as a promising substrate to be subject of further investigations.

Graphical abstractThe anti-tumor activity of three organotin(IV) complexes with a novel ferrocene-containing ligand 3-trifluoromethyl-5-ferrocenyl -pyrazol-1-yl-acetic acid (LCOOH) has been studied against three tumor cell lines, HepG2, A549 and B16-F10. Complex 1 displayed the best cytotoxicity and can be pointed out as a promising substrate to be subject of further investigations.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A novel ferrocene-containing carboxylic acid was used as ligand. ► Muti-nuclear organotin complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. ► Tin atom together with ferrocene group could act synergistically against tumor cells.