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

Copper(II) and platinum(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyrrole (2-BZPH) were synthesized and characterized with IR, 1H, and 12C NMR spectroscopies and coordination geometry with ligands arranged in transoid fashion. The crystal structure of [CuII (2-BZPH)2] was determined by X-ray diffraction. Death of complex treated Jurkat cells was measured by flow cytometry. The bis-chelate complexes [CuII (2-BZPH)2] and [PtII (2-BZPH)2] adopt square-planar coordination geometry with ligands, arranged in transoid fashion. Concentrations of 1-10µM 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 PtII complexes may have damaged DNA to induce cell death, treatment with the CuII complex did not induce Jurkat cell death.