In(iii) complexes of sulfonyldithiocarbimates as selective antineoplasic agents against human colorectal adenocarcinoma

Abstract

The synthesis, antineoplasic profile, and structural aspects of six In(III) sulfonyldithiocarbimate complexes (Ph₄P[(RSO₂NCS₂)₂In], 2a–f) are described. The salts were readily obtainable with 38% to 98% yield by the water-mediated complexation of the ligand (1a–f) in the presence of In(NO₃)₃ without further purification. Spectroscopic data pointed to the formation of isomers, which were postulated as the result of three complexation modes – SS–SS, SN–SN, and SN–SS. DFT calculations furnished ΔG, K_eq, and δ values that indicated a preference for the SS–SS isomer. Statistical analysis of ¹³C NMR data placed ¹³CN δ values as efficient probes of the d-electron count of the metal in sulfonyldithiocarbimate complexes. The compounds displayed antineoplasic activity against human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HCT-116) cell lines (IC₅₀ = 3.02(21) μmol L⁻¹ to 5.36(42) μmol L⁻¹) with high selectivity compared to HaCaT cells. Moreover, an XRD analysis of a water-insoluble decomposition product of a ligand (1b) is also described, showing the formation of a supramolecular-like network and corroborating the use of the metallic complexes as biologically active compounds instead of their isolated ligands.