One Step Up in Antiproliferative Activity: The Ru‐Zn Complex [RuCp(PPh₃)₂‐µ‐dmoPTA‐1κ<i>P</i>:2κ²<i>N</i>,<i>N′</i>‐ZnCl₂](CF₃SO₃)

Abstract

The synthesis, characterization and antiproliferative activity of the bimetallic Ru‐Zn complex [RuCp(PPh 3 ) 2 ‐µ‐dmoPTA‐1κ P :2κ 2 N , N′ ‐ZnCl 2 ](CF 3 SO 3 ) ( 4 ) and the monometallic Ru complex [RuCp(PPh 3 ) 2 (dmoPTA‐1κ P )](CF 3 SO 3 ) ( 5 ) are presented. Against human lung, cervix, breast, and colon solid tumor cell lines, complex 4 showed an enhanced antiproliferative activity (GI 50 = 30–83 n m ) when compared to its parent complex [RuCp(PPh 3 ) 2 (HdmoPTA‐1κ P )](CF 3 SO 3 ) ( 2 ). Additionally, it was significantly more active against the breast cancer cell line T‐47D than its sibling cobalt complex [RuCp(PPh 3 ) 2 ‐µ‐dmoPTA‐1κ P :2κ 2 N , N′ ‐CoCl 2 ](CF 3 SO 3 ) ( 3 ). When evaluated against non‐tumor human cell line BJ‐hTert, complex 4 was 3–8 times less active, indicating a large selectivity for tumor cells, while compound 5 was not selective.