A new series of titanocene dichloride derivatives bearing chiral alkylammonium groups; assessment of their cytotoxic properties

A series of new, water soluble titanocene dichloride derivatives containing chiral alkylammonium groups have been synthesized and characterized and their cytotoxicities against the human lung cancer cell lines A549, H209 and H209/CP have been assessed. The potencies of the compounds vary greatly, with primary ammonium salts being particularly ineffective. However, mono-and dicationic derivatives containing chiral ephedrine-type functional groups are very effective, in particular the dicationic species. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V.