One dodecahedral bismuth(iii) complex derived from 2-acetylpyridine N(4)-pyridylthiosemicarbazone: synthesis, crystal structure and biological evaluation

Abstract

One dodecahedral bismuth(III) complex [Bi(HL)(NO₃)₃] (1) (HL = 2-acetylpyridine N(4)-pyridylthiosemicarbazone) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The analytical data reveals the formation of 1 : 1 (metal : ligand) stoichiometry. The bismuth(III) ion is nine-coordinated by one electron pair (6s²) of the bismuth(III) atom, two nitrogen and one sulfur atoms from the N₂S tridentate ligand and five oxygen atoms from three nitrate ions. Biological studies, carried out in vitro against eight selected bacteria, and four human cancer cells, respectively, have indicated that 1 shows better growth-inhibiting properties. Upon further investigation, 1 might produce cytotoxicity through apoptosis.