Gold(I) Complexes Derived from Alkynyloxy-Substituted Anthraquinones: Syntheses, Luminescence, Preliminary Cytotoxicity, and Cell Imaging Studies

A series of mono- and dimetallic Au(I) triphenylphosphine complexes derived from 1,2-, 1,4-, and 1,8-dialkynyloxyanthraquinone have been prepared. The photophysical and cytotoxic behavior of the ligands and complexes have been explored, with all of the complexes showing both appreciable cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 carcinoma cell line and useful room-temperature anthraquinone-based visible luminescence, which allowed their successful application as fluorophores in cell imaging microscopy. The implications of the photophysical and toxicological properties for the design and investigation of gold-based anticancer agents are discussed.