Search

The title compound, [Cu(C9H5N4O)2(C10H9N3)2], was synthesized solvothermally. The complex exhibits a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. The CuII atom is located on an inversion centre. The distorted octahedral CuN6 coordination sphere is composed of bidentate 2,2′-dipyridylamine in the equatorial sites while the axial sites are occupied by 1,1,3,3-tetracyano-2-ethoxypropenide ligands. In the crystal, N—H...N hydrogen bonding results in chains parallel to [010].

Abstract: Four [Ru(tpy)(N–N)(L)] type complexes: [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(Nh)]2+ (Ru1, tpy = 2,2′;6′,2″-terpyridine, bpy = 2′2-bipyridine, Nh = Norharman), [Ru(tpy)(phen)(Nh)]2+ (Ru2, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [Ru(tpy)(dpa)(Nh)]2+ (Ru3, dpa = 2,2′-dipyridylamine) and [Ru(tpy)(dip)(Nh)]2+ (Ru4, dip = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) were presented as anticancer drugs. In vitro cytotoxicity assays indicated that these complexes showed anticancer activity against various cancer cells. Flow cytometry and signaling pathways analysis demonstrated that these complexes induced apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway, as evidenced by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the release of cytochrome c. The resulting accumulation of p53 proteins from phosphorylation at serine-15 and serine-392 was correlated with an increase in p21 and caspase activation. Taken together, these findings suggested that Ru1–Ru4 may contribute to the future development of improved chemotherapeutics against human cancers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Coordination modes and synthetic routes to dialkylcyanamide (NCNAlk2) complexes are reviewed. [•] Structural features, properties, and reactivity modes of NCNAlk2 ligands are systemized. [•] In many instances metal-bound NCNAlk2exhibit different behavior to conventional NCR nitriles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]