Ruthenium pincer complexes for light activated toxicity: Lipophilic groups enhance toxicity

Nine ruthenium CNC pincer complexes (1–9) were tested for anticancer activity in cell culture under both dark and light conditions. These complexes included varied CNC pincer ligands including OH, OMe, or Me substituents on the pyridyl ring and wingtip N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) groups which varied as methyl (Me), phenyl (Ph), mesityl (Mes), and 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (Dipp). The supporting ligands included acetonitrile, Cl, and 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) donors. The synthesis of complexes 8 and 9 is described herein and are fully characterized by spectroscopic (1H NMR, IR, UV–Vis, MS) and analytical techniques. Single crystal X-ray diffraction results are reported herein for 8 and 9. The other complexes (1–7) are reported elsewhere. The four most lipophilic ruthenium complexes (6, 7, 8, and 9) showed the best activity vs. MCF7 cancer cells with complexes 6 and 9 showing cytotoxicity and complex 7 and 8 showing light activated photocytotoxicity. The distribution of these compounds between octanol and water is reported as log(Do/w) values, and increasing log(Do/w) values correlate roughly with improved activity vs. cancer cells. Overall, lipophilic wingtip groups (e.g. Ph, Mes, Dipp) on the NHC ring and a lower cationic charge (1+ vs. 2+) appears to be beneficial for improved anticancer activity. [Display omitted] •One Ru complex shows light activated toxicity vs. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.•The most active compound has a phototoxicity index of 21 and micromolar potency.•Structure-function relationships show that lipophilicity correlates with toxicity.•Synthetic procedures for making lipophilic CNC pincer complexes are reported.