Anticancer Properties of Au(III) Complexes

The reaction of a solution of H[AuCl4] with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) in acetonitrile gave the complex (H(2)Phen)[AuCl4]Cl (I). According to X-ray diffraction data (CCDC no. 2165199), Phen exists in I as an unusual doubly protonated (cationic) form (H(2)Phen)(2+). Binding of ionic structural units ([AuCl4](-), Cl-, and (H(2)Phen)(2+)) by D-H center dot center dot center dot Cl hydrogen bonds (D = N, C) gives rise to supramolecular 2D pseudo-polymer layers. The biological activity of I was measured for human ovarian carcinoma cells (SKOV3). Using MTT assay results, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration was calculated, demonstrating high selectivity of I to cancer cells in combination with low toxicity towards normal fibroblasts.

Automated summary

The reaction between H[AuCl4] and 1,10-phenanthroline in acetonitrile resulted in the synthesis of (H(2)Phen)[AuCl4]Cl. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the unusual doubly protonated form of phenanthroline in the complex. The complex showed high selectivity towards human ovarian carcinoma cells and low toxicity towards normal fibroblasts.