Synthesis, structural characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity of diorganotin (IV) diimido complexes

Reactions of the diorganotin with two N–OH diimide ligands (N-hydroxyphthalimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide) yielded five new dimeric tetraorganostannoxanes formulated as R8Sn4O2L2X2. The crystal structures of the complexes reveal the formation of the tetranuclear species contains a planar Sn4O4 core, consisting of three adjacent rhombs with bridging oxo and N–OH diimide ligands. The central tin atoms are five-coordinated to assume a distorted trigonal bipyramidal configuration and the N–OH diimide ligands act as monodentate O-bound planar. In vitro cytotoxic activities of the title compounds have been determined against three cell lines (A549, HCT-8 and HL-60). Studies reveal that three di-n-butyltin(IV) diimido complexes show higher cytotoxic activities than cisplatin. The structure–activity relationship of the cytotoxicity of the title complexes has also been discussed.

Graphical abstractFive new diorganotin N–OH diimide complexes with N-hydroxyphthalimide or N-hydroxysuccinimide as the ligands were synthesized. All compounds formation of the centrosymmetric dimers ladder-like structures units Sn4O4 as products of a partial hydrolysis. The cytotoxicities of these compounds were tested against A549, HCT-8 and HL-60 cell lines by the MTT test. Some compounds exhibited better cytotoxic activity than cisplatin. The structure–activity relationship has been revealed.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Five new diorganotin N–OH diimide complexes were synthesized. ► All compounds formation of the centrosymmetric dimers ladder-like structures. ► The cytotoxicities of these compounds were tested by the MTT test. ► Some compounds exhibited better cytotoxic activity than cisplatin. ► The structure–activity relationship has been revealed.