Platinum (II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic properties

Platinum (II) complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been widely used in catalytic chemistry, but there are very few reports of biological properties of this type of complexes. A series of [PtCl2(NHC)(PEt3)] complexes were synthesized. The structures of all compounds were characterized by H-1-NMR, C-13-NMR, IR and elemental analysis techniques, which supported the proposed structures. The single crystal structures of complexes 1a and 1e were determined. The title complexes show slightly distorted square-planar coordination around the platinum (II) metal center. The cytotoxic properties of the platinum (II)-NHC complexes have been assessed in various human cancer lines, including cisplatin-sensitive and resistant cells. IC50 values of these four complexes were determined by the MTS-based assay on three human cell lines-brain (SHSY5Y), colon (HTC116) and liver (HEP3B). These complexes have been highlighted cancer therapeutic agent with unique structures and functions.