Synthesis and characterization of some metal complexes of 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one and their biological effects on human carcinoma cells

Three new transition metal complexes of 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one, [(DAFO)PdCl2], [(DAFO)PtCl2], and [(DAFO)ZnCl2], were prepared in good yields by the reactions between appropriate metal chloride precursors and 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one under ambient conditions. The structures of these metal complexes were established by spectroscopic (Fourier-transform IR, NMR, and fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry) techniques. The possible biological activity of these compounds on three human cancer cell lines including Hep3B, MDAMB-231, and SKHep-1 was investigated. The results obtained showed that both zinc- and platinum-containing compounds exhibit a similar growth inhibitory effect on these three cancer cell lines when compared with the prototypical cis-platin. In contrast, the corresponding palladium congener is virtually biologically inactive in these trials.