Transition‐Metal Complexes Based on a Sulfonate‐Containing N‐Donor Ligand and Their Use as HIV Antiviral Agents

Abstract

Abstract Herein, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a sulfonate‐containing N‐donor ligand in its sodium salt and acid forms, Na 2 [(DES)MeN(CH 2 ) 2 NMe(DES)] · 2H 2 O ( 1 ) and [(DES)MeN + H(CH 2 ) 2 N + HMe(DES)] · H 2 O ( 2 ), and its corresponding metal complexes, [{(DES)MeN(CH 2 ) 2 NMe(DES)}M(H 2 O) 2 ] · n H 2 O [M = Ni ( 3 ), Co ( 4 ), Cu ( 5 ) and Zn ( 6 )]. Treatment of HIV‐infected MT‐2 cells with Ni, Co and Cu complexes inhibit virus replication up to 50–70 % both in pre‐ and post‐infected cells as a result of dual preventive and therapeutic behaviour.