Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxic activity of copper(II) and platinum(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyrrole and X-ray structure of bis[2-benzoylpyrrolato(N,O)]copper(II)

Copper(II) and platinum(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyrrole (2-BZPH) were synthesized and characterized with IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies and coordination geometry with ligands arranged in transoid fashion. The crystal structure of [Cu II(2-BZP) 2] was determined by X-ray diffraction. Death of complex treated Jurkat cells was measured by flow cytometry. The bis-chelate complexes [Cu II(2-BZP) 2] and [Pt II(2-BZP) 2] adopt square-planar coordination geometry with ligands, arranged in transoid fashion. Concentrations of 1-10 μM Platinum(II) complexes reduced cell survival from 100% to 20%, in contrast to the copper(II) complex which caused no cell death at a concentration of 10 μM. While the Pt II complexes may have damaged DNA to induce cell death, treatment with the Cu II complex did not induce Jurkat cell death. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.