Syntheses, structures, and the in vitro anticancer mechanism of triorganotin (IV) complexes based on 4,4'- stilbenedicarboxylic acid

Five triorganotin (IV) complexes, [(Ph3Sn)(2)L] (1) [(Me3Sn)(2)L](n) (2), [(n-Bu3Sn)(2)L](n) (3), [(n-Bu Sn-3)(2)L(4,4 '-bpy)](n) (4), [(n-Bu3Sn)(2)L(bpe)](n) (5) [H2L = 4,4 '-stilbenedicarboxylic acid, 4,4 ' -bpy = 4,4 '-bipyridine, bpe = 4,4 '-vinylenedipyridine], were successfully prepared and structurally characterized by FT-IR, elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, PXRD, and X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 is a monomer containing two tin atoms, and 1D infinite chains can be formed between the monomers through C H center dot center dot center dot pi interactions. Complexes 2 and 3 represent 2D network structures containing tetranuclear 38-membered rings. Meanwhile, complexes 4 and 5 are 1D chain-like structures and form the 2D network and 3D stereo structure via C H center dot center dot center dot O intermolecular interactions, respectively. The anticancer activities of the complexes were investigated against different cancer cells (A549, HeLa, and HepG-2). Complexes 1 and 3-5 showed superior anticancer activity. Meanwhile, the anticancer mechanism of complex 1 was studied with the results that complex 1 can promote the production of excessive reactive oxygen species, induce mitochondrial membrane permeability depolarization, and release proapoptotic factors from mitochondria into the cytosol, followed by caspase-3 activation, nuclei damage, and apoptosis. Excitingly, complex 1 also has good antimetastatic ability toward HepG-2 cancer cells.

Automated summary

Five triorganotin (IV) complexes were prepared and characterized, and their anticancer activities were investigated. Complexes 1 and 3-5 showed superior anticancer activity, and complex 1 also exhibited antimetastatic ability.