Cyclam-based molybdenum carbonyl complexes as a novel class of cytotoxic agents

Abstract

Cyclam-based molybdenum carbonyl complexes of formulae [(H2R2Cyclam)Mo(CO)3] (R = H, 4-tBuPhCH24-CF3PhCH2 and 3,5-MePhCH2) were prepared in high yields by the reaction of Mo(CO)6 with the appropriate ligand precursor under reflux in di-n-butyl ether. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the case of [(H4Cyclam)Mo(CO)3]. The cytotoxic effect of all compounds was examined on the human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 revealing high antiproliferative activity.