Cu(ii), mn(ii) and zn(ii) complexes of hydrazones with a quaternary ammonium moiety: Synthesis, experimental and theoretical characterization and cytotoxic activity

In this paper, Cu(II), Mn(II) and Zn(II) complexes with N,N,N-trimethyl-2-oxo-2-(2-(1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl)ethan-1-aminium chloride (HL1Cl) were synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and DFT calculations. In all three complexes, a ligand (L1) is coordinated in a deprotonated formally neutral zwitterionic form via NNO donor set atoms. Cu(II) and Zn(II) form mononuclear penta-coordinated complexes [CuL1(N₃)(CH₃OH)]BF₄ and [ZnL1(N₃)₂], respectively, while Mn(II) forms a binuclear [Mn₂L1₂(μ-_1,1-N₃)₂(N₃)₂]·2CH₃OH complex, with unusual distorted trigonal-prismatic geometry around the metal centers. The antimicrobial activity of these complexes was tested against a panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, two yeasts and one fungal strain. The binuclear Mn(II) complex showed antifungal activity of similar intensity to amphotericin B. Based on the results of the brine shrimp test and DPPH radical scavenging activity, the most active Cu(II) and Mn(II) complexes were selected for evaluation of cytotoxic activity against five malignant cancer cell lines (HeLa, A375, MCF7, PC-3 and A549) and one normal cell line HaCaT. Both complexes showed significant activity. It should be pointed out that the activity of the Mn(II) complex against the MCF7 breast cancer cell line is only slightly weaker than that of cisplatin, but with selectivity to the tumor cell line in comparison to normal HaCaT cells, which is non-existent in the case of cisplatin.