Two complexes of Co(II) and Pd(II) formed in reaction with a mono-oxazoline derivative. Spectroscopic characterization and cytotoxic evaluation

•1-D supramolecular polymer was obtained from the reaction of CoCl2 and oxazoline, L.•The reaction between L and PdCl2, in acid solution, determined the hydrolysis of L.•The ionic salt of Pd(II) exhibits luminescent properties.•The Pd(II) compound showed the most promising cytotoxic activity of all three tested.

Two coordination compounds obtained from 2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-oxazole, L, [CoCl2(L)2] (1) and [OHCH2CH2NH3]2·[PdCl4] (2) were synthesized and characterized through elemental analysis, spectroscopic methods (FTIR, UV–Vis, 1H NMR) and X-ray diffraction. Cytotoxicity tests on PBMC and HeLa cells were performed in order to evaluate the potential applications of these compounds in medicine. Also, compound (2) exhibits ligand assisted luminescent properties that were determined in solid state.