Synthesis, crystal structure and antitumor study of an iron(III) complex of 2-acetylpyrazine N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone

Abstract

The title complex [Fe(C8H10N5S) 2] · Cl has been synthesized from 2-acetylpyrazine N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone and FeCl3 · 6H2O and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex consists of discrete monomeric molecules with octahedrally hexacoordinated iron(III) ions, in which two 2-acetylpyrazine 4-methylthiosemicarbazone units act as meridional NNS tridentate ligands coordinated to the central iron atom via the pyrazine nitrogen, azomethine nitrogen and sulfur atoms. Hydrogen bonds link the complex components to stabilize the crystal structure. The antitumor activity of the title complex was tested against K562 leucocythemia and BEL7402 liver cancer cell lines. The complex exhibits higher antitumor activity as compared to the free ligand. © 2008 Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung.