Synthesis of novel ligands for the stabilization of organometallic complexes having potential antitumor activity

The design of new metal complexes as anticancer agents has received considerable interest inrecent years. Complexes of titanium (e.g.: titanocene dichloride), lanthanides complexes (e.g.:texaphyrrins lanthanide) and carbenic complexes of gold, silver and copper showed significantbiological activity, and have progressed into clinical trials.Thus, the target of this PhD project are the synthesis of new ligands and metal complexes. Firstly 5cyclopentadienyl pro-ligands were synthesised: 6-phenylfulvene, 6-(p-metoxyphenyl)-fulvene e 6-(3',4'-dymethoxyphenyl)fulvene, 6-(3',5')-dymethoxyphenyl)fulvene and 6-(2',4')-dymethoxyphenyl)fulvene. Then, the synthesis of 12 novel scandium, yttrium and neodymiumcomplexes with these cyclopentadienyl ligands was carried out.The complexes were tested on DU146 (Prostatic carcinoma) and MDA.MB213 (Breast cancer) toverify inhibition of cell-proliferation, using MTT test with standard procedures. All the complexshowed a strong concentration-dependent ability of inhibiting the growth tumor cell, referring toantiblastic activity. [edited by author]