Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Cytotoxicity Studies of T-Shaped Silver(I) Complexes Derived from 1-Benzyl p-Toluenesulfonates

Abstract

In the present study, we synthesized novel benzimidazole–silver(I) complexes (2a–d) by the interaction of 1-benzyl-3H-benzimidazolium p-toluenesulfonate derivatives (1a–d) and Ag<inf>2</inf>O in order to investigate their anticancer properties. All the salts and complexes were fully characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and LC–MS spectroscopic techniques, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray crystallography. Cytotoxic effects of compounds were investigated by MTT test against human colorectal (Caco-2), breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines and non cancer mouse fibroblast (L-929) cell lines. All the complexes performed more cytotoxicity than cisplatin against Caco-2 cell lines while they were not active against MCF-7 in the treatment concentrations. Among the complexes, 2d which contains chlorine at 2-position of benzyl was found out as most active but not selective for non cancer L-929 cell lines. The complex 2b which contains methyl instead of chlorine at 2d showed approximately equal cytotoxicity as cisplatin against L-929 cell lines while this complex was twofold active than cisplatin against Caco-2 cell lines. These findings suggest that complex 2b is a promising candidate for treatment of colorectal cancer. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd