Synthesis, Structure and Antitumoural Activity of Triazole-Functionalised NHC-Metal Complexes

Silver(I), gold(I), copper(I) and ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes have been synthesised and their cytotoxic activities towards various cancer cell lines have been evaluated. The N-heterocyclic carbene ligand has been functionalised with a 1,2,3-triazole moiety tethered in the backbone of the ligand. The molecular structure of the silver(I) and gold(I) complexes has been solved by X-ray diffraction analysis. The Ag-I, Au-I and Ru-II complexes display good stability in aqueous conditions and show cytotoxic activities comparable or slightly superior to those of similar unfunctionalised complexes.